I wrote this in 2011 shortly
after the Arab Spring began, while living in Qatar. But Egypt still needs prayer today!
George Washington’s famous “Farewell Address,” published in September 1796, is likely one of the oldest
documents in the world that members of a national government still read
publicly. The address is read every February near the birthday of America’s
first president. Touching on much of his eight years in office, he offers some
intriguing commentary on foreign relations:
“Steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the
foreign world¼We
may safely trust to temporary alliances for extraordinary emergencies¼There
can be no greater error than to expect or calculate upon real favors from
nation to nation. It is an illusion which experience must cure, which a just
pride ought to discard.”
In the 215 years since those words, the world has grown much
more connected than ever before, including in geopolitics. By the time the Cold
War ended in 1991, America had mostly forgotten about keeping world affairs at
a distance. Still, President Washington’s message may be relevant to U.S.
foreign policy—especially when allied leaders are authoritarian—such as in the
drama of the Arab Spring erupting across the Middle East, particularly in Egypt.
In the 40 years after World War II, the United States and
the Soviet Union engaged in the biggest expansion of alliances in history. Around
the globe, countries rose, broke apart, or disappeared as support for democracy
or communism waxed or waned. Miraculously, the threat of a third world war
subsided.
Yet after the Cold War, which was full of “extraordinary
emergencies,” the United States has not avoided “permanent alliances.” On one
hand, jet airplanes, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and the Internet have
all made international ties inevitable and appropriate in ways that nobody from
the 1700s could have imagined. On the other hand, the trap which George
Washington predicted has not vanished: relying too much on other countries can
be a big mistake.
In the late 1970s, Egypt became America’s number two ally in
the Middle East, after Israel. This occurred for many reasons; chiefly Egypt’s
two choices in that decade to reject communism and to open formal ties with
Israel. Since then, America never really reevaluated its relationship with
Egypt, hoping the status quo would keep the region quiet, while giving little
thought to Egyptian domestic affairs. All that has changed now.
From 1981-2011, Husni Mubarak ruled as president of Egypt.
During this time, Egypt fought no wars, and stability predominated. Mubarak
reached out to some Christians in Egypt, but one can argue that Christians just
survived—not thrived—under his regime. Tourism boomed, and Egypt maintained its
unique, three-decade-old recognition of Israel.
Nevertheless, Mubarak was never the only person for the job.
From the start, he ruled Egypt with an iron fist. He outlawed opposition parties,
imprisoned political rivals, and imposed 30 years of brutal martial law on the
country. Many Egyptians—including middle-class, educated citizens—did not even utter
his name in public until recent years, for fear of being arrested. Also,
churches were destroyed or refused building permits, and crime against
Christians was frequently ignored.
In supporting Mubarak, America flouted some of its basic
values. Some alliances do not face this dilemma. But alliances with oppressive
regimes always result in compromise for one party or the other.
The change sweeping through Egypt—and indeed much of region—is
homemade by the masses. A tough road lies ahead. Factions are already emerging,
as in Yemen; more violence is likely, as in Syria; and external powers are
getting involved, as in Libya. In the end, Egyptians themselves could be better
or worse off than they were before their “revolution.”
With the Cold War long since won, the U.S., for its part, no
longer needs to command the affairs of other nations. It should still encourage
democracy in the world. Yet America should not retain, or rely on, allies that
disregard thresholds of freedom and human rights for their citizens.
Please ask for godly wisdom for American leaders as they
respond to Egypt ’s
crisis. Pray for the people of Egypt, especially Christians, for protection and
strong faith. Intercede for peace across the region and for many hearts to be
softened toward God in this time.
~~~~~~~~
(Originally published by The Presidential Prayer Team.)
