Dr. Zohair Husain, associate professor of political science, presented a lecture on the current Egyptian situation with “Why Egypt Matters” Feb. 21 at the Humanities Building.
Husain, who recently returned from a Fulbright Fellowship semester in Egypt, is recognized as an expert in international relations and the Muslim World.
Egypt is an ideal laboratory in which to study the many problems of the Arab World in particular, and the developing world in general, Husain said. The pro-democracy movements in Egypt and Tunisia lit a flame that could ignite change within the Middle East.
Social media, like Facebook and Twitter, and Al Jazeera, the news station that spans through the Arab world, played important roles in accelerating these movements and spreading it around the Arab world.
“The fact is that it wouldn’t have happened as soon; things happen very, very quickly because of Facebook and Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera is seen by millions and millions of Arabs all over the Arab world… that’s what they look at, they don’t look at CNN they look at Al Jazeera,” Husain said.
The pro-democracy movement that began in Tunisia, then in Egypt, is spreading to other Middle Eastern countries. So, how will this affect the United States?
At the moment, Husain said these movements are not calling America as the main culprit, and America is not being criticized or condemned. Many of these pro-democracy movements are fixated on trying to bring about democracy at home and improving economic conditions at home. Husain said America should take a more active role in supporting these pro-democracy movements.
“They’re not attacking America, but if America continues to stand by these regimes and not push hard for democratization in these countries, then America will also be criticized,” Husain said.
With increased criticism from the Arab world, the already struggling American economy will take another hit, not only at the gas pump.
“If there is a lot of anti-Americanism and more terrorism, that will increase oil prices, it will increase prices of other goods, American multinational corporations would have to leave Middle Eastern countries, Americans will be in danger of being kidnapped or killed,” Husain said.
Egypt, which occupies a strategically important position at the intersection of Asia and Africa, is a strong player in global trade. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean and Red Seas and shortens the trade route from the East to the West. Nearly two-thirds of Europe’s oil passes through the canal.
The lecture was presented by the University’s International Studies Program.
