Egypt is the real deal

It seems to me that the uprising in Egypt is a genuine one, and not "color revolution" orchestrated from outside. While there is a superficial resemblance in that Egyptians are using social media to organize, the color revolutions in Ukraine, Georgia, Lebanon, and elsewhere replaced existing governments with new ones that were more pro-American and dependent on the West. This time, it looks like the Egyptian masses have applied the tactics of the color revolutions to their own very different objectives. The Mubarak government has always been as pro-American as can be imagined (Mubarak has received more U.S. aid than any dictator in history), so there would be little point in replacing it from the point of view of the color revolution orchestrators. One point that is telling is that the mainstream media has avoided using the term "pro-democracy" when referring to the anti-Mubarak demonstrations.

Until the events in Tunisia last month, Mubarak's 30-year rule did not seem to be particularly vulnerable. The various movements opposed to Mubarak might demonstrate from time to time, but never posed a threat. Moreover, Mubarak has continued to be useful to the United States and Israel, effectively acting as Gaza's prison guard. The fact is that Egypt under Mubarak has been effectively a U.S.-Israeli protectorate.

Of course, once the uprising started, there is no doubt that the CIA and other foreign entities attempted to co-opt it into a color revolution. Suddenly they see an alternative to Mubarak as a necessity. They may see Suleiman or El Baradei as an expectable alternative. However, events seem to be out of their control as the Egyptian street shows determination in becoming the masters of their own destiny.

The Israeli press has been ripe with articles fretting what the downfall of Mubarak will mean for Israel. While there is no reason to think that whatever new government replaces Mubarak would be suicidal enough to attack the hyper-militarized Jewish State, any independent Egyptian government based on the will of the people will no longer work as Gaza's prison keeper. Furthermore, as the Egyptian government's current trouble started in Tunisia, the contagion could very well continue to spread. Pro-U.S. rulers in Yemen, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority are vulnerable. All this makes life more difficult for the U.S. government and its spoiled favorite child, Israel. Making life more difficult for U.S. and Israeli rulers was never part of the color revolution agenda. And anything that makes Obama and Netenyahu sweat should provide the rest of us with hope.