February 10, 2011
Arrived back in Cairo after a 2 1/2 day journey through Paris and then Beirut - since American airlines still are not flying into the county. I arrived during a relative lull in the uprising as peope were hopeful Mubarak was finally moving toward stepping down as the protesters have demonstrated their resolve. However, all hopes were dashed by the President's speech tonight as he seemed to further entrench himself in the Palace and refused to step down. I sat and watched the speech with my Egyptian friends and colleagues, some of them in tears after hearing the speech, fearing that this move by Mubarak would lead to an increase in bloodshed. The crowds are more angry and resolved now than ever before.
I never would have dreamed when I accepted the post here in Cairo and decided to move here that I would find myself in the middle of a revolution! What a strange turn of events. Like everyone I can only wait and pray that justice will somehow prevail. I wonder when we will learn that propping up dictators financially, no matter the short-term benefits to us, is never a good policy. When will we begin putting the hopes and dreams of the people - people just like Americans who dream of a life of freedom - first, before our policies and political objectives. We did it with the Shah of Iran, we did it in Viet Nam, we did it with Iraq's ruler, and we have done it in Egypt - history tells us these ploys never end well - at least not for the people who suffer under the repressive regimes of these dictators.
I honestly wonder how long the unrest will last and what my long-term future is here. But for now I am committed to standing in solidarity with these peope who desperately desire what so many of us take for granted. I will share a longer post on the situation once I have had more time to let the happenings of tonight simmer. For now, pray for the people of Egypt and that the situation will not deteriorate into more violence and bloodshed. Stay tuned!
Sam, I pray for you often and I am thankful you have this tremendous opportunity. Be blessed!
Posted by: Kent Mankins | February 10, 2011 at 11:56 PM