Our Response to the Crisis in Egypt

by Senator Mark Kirk on Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 2:52pm

I believe the United States should set three top priorities in our response to the crisis in Egypt:

1. The State and Defense Departments must monitor the security of U.S. citizens in the country, with robust contingency plans to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens in Egypt.  We must also ensure the open and safe navigation of the Suez Canal, recognizing its importance to world trade and our fragile economic recovery.
2. We must have the conviction of our own convictions to support legitimate human rights and democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people.  A truly democratic Egypt with a multi-party democracy could in the long run be a more stable partner for peace and economic growth than a one-party state. However, the US should continue aid to Egypt, especially military assistance, to prevent a government collapse which would give an opening to the radical Muslim Brotherhood.
3. We must do all we can to maintain the Camp David accords that established peace between Egypt and Israel.  The last thing our economy needs is another war in the Middle East.  America's prime diplomatic goal should be to maintain the peace and security of our allies.

In the end, change for the government of Egypt under its 80-year old President appears inevitable.  We should support the strongest, most responsible leaders we can have to guide Egypt into a post-Mubarak, stable direction.  Many of our values, the security of our allies and parts of our economy depend on navigating this crisis well.