The Arab world\u2019s old authoritarian order is being shattered, whatever happens next. With Egypt accounting for roughly one-quarter of the Arab world\u2019s 300 million people, the transition of political power in Cairo will have widespread effect across the twenty-two nation bloc. From Casablanca to Kuwait, Tripoli to Damascus, Egypt\u2019s transition will affect every other Arab country in some way\u2014small or large, direct or indirect.<\/p>\n
In a region made famous for its suicide bombings, the use of civil disobedience to peacefully force Hosni Mubarak from the presidency changes the political dynamics, not only in Egypt.<\/p>\n
In the end, Mubarak and his loyalists could no longer isolate or discredit the burgeoning opposition without enormous costs, and potentially not at all. The movement began to take its demonstrations beyond Liberation Square to parliament, state television and the presidential palace. Protests also spread throughout the country. And labor began to strike in sympathy with the opposition. Already crippled economically over the past two weeks, Egypt could not afford to see strikes spread and the country paralyzed. The opposition could not be contained, politically or physically.<\/p>\n
Despite the breathless pace of change in both Egypt and Tunisia\u2014all since December 17, a mere eight weeks\u2014the political drama is likely to play out for a very long time. So far, the model for Egypt is more Turkey than Iran. Ironically, Mubarak resigned on February 11\u2014the same day as the Iranian revolution. But Egypt\u2019s uprising has taken a decidedly different form.<\/p>\n
Now the hard part begins\u2014organizing elections, amending or rewriting the constitution, developing new political parties, and getting the economy going again. The economy will be a key in ensuring a healthy transition for Egypt.<\/p>\n