US, Europe Wary of Egypt Protest Contagion - Analysts

[tekisui]

Source: Jordan Times

PARIS - The United States and Europe are raising pressure for democratic reform in Egypt but face a tricky task amid fears that the violent unrest there could spread far beyond its borders, analysts say.

(snip)

The Tunisian uprising set a precedent for the region that has now recurred in Egypt - a bigger, more strategically important country.

Another IRIS analyst, Pascal Boniface, said Tunisia created a "generic model" for challenging authoritarian governments, which could be reprised "in Africa, Asia, anywhere repressive powers dominate and appear worn out".

(snip)

"Egypt remains a major pawn in the Middle East," said Billion. The West fears "a domino effect if Mubarak falls, with a protest movement that could grow across the world".

With long-time leaders such as Mubarak, Libya's Muammar Qadhafi, Ali Abdallah Saleh of Yemen and numerous leaders in sub-Saharan Africa racking up decades in power, observers see potentially historic change looming.

"The African continent is at a special moment in its history, with 22 presidential and legislative elections due in the coming year," said one senior French official who asked not to be named.

"It is not a good time for dictators," he added. "This could be contagious."

more: http://jordantimes.com/?news=34006

[DJ13]

1. Good, get worried

Maybe you'll stop pandering to the wealthy long enough to save your own butts?

[villager]

3. +1

n/t

[leftstreet]

2. Were they this worried with recent 'western' protests in Greece, France, Spain, etc ?

:shrug:

[dixiegrrrrl]

4. hashtag dates already being planned for Arab world - Sudan #Jan 30 Yemen #Feb3

On Twitter, hashtag dates already being planned for Arab world - Sudan #Jan 30

Yemen #Feb3 Syria #Feb5 Algeria #Feb12

Add #Feb14 Bahrain
MT @rimakader:
http://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23Feb14

Sounds like a schedule to me.

[Ghost Dog]

5. When you can see Anarchists organising,

know that change is going to come.