There were swarms of Egyptians robbing stores, museums, homes. People had to set up vigilante units to protect their neighborhoods. Remember that during the protests two Christian families were massacred. The media didn't report on this. Also remember that media people were hounded by both sides, the pro- and the anti-government sides. And while the media has either covered up or played down the incident, US journalist Lara Logan was gang raped during the "peaceful" demonstration. Wake up! That peacefulness is only an Egyptian mirage. Violence is boiling and will erupt big time unless the army keeps things under control. Things don't look good for Israel. As far as democracy, only a small secular minority wants it. Most want a Sharia state. That's what the Pew poll determined in October 2010.

One can be impressed by the bravery of many of the protesters but at the same time be quite apprehensive about where all of this leads. Democracy is by no means just voting, it is a system where freedom is secured by legitimized rights and liberties. The question remains whether one can reasonably expect a country like Egypt to transition there. Are the attitudes of the Egyptian people (500k? protestors out of 84mm people) compatible with this? Read the Pew Survey of Opinion and one is less hopeful.

Wow the author is so clueless...first of all its true it's a blow to al Qaeda and that's because al Qaeda is an Israeli tool and Ben laden is your puppet, the only reason moubarak was able to stay in power all these years is the american support due to the submission of moubarak to every Israeli wish and demand, in other words the fall of moubarak and the victory of the Egyptian revolution peacefully is a huge blow to Israel, it loses an ally and now some of Egypt if not all of it will not be a Puppet israel's hands, and we will witness the opening of the borders with gaza before long...

Man, stop twisting facts in attempt to rob us of a great victory, these demonstrators were completely peaceful, armed with faith and courage aganist Mubarak's henchmen/holigans who wrecked havoc, killed innocent citizens, robbed homes/museums and molasted/raped women. It was all part of Mubarak's plan to smear this revolution and seduce the neutral egyptians to turn on these peaceeful demonstrattors, get your facts straight before your open your ignorant mouth.

how did you arrive at this conclusion? Is Turkey not enough of an example? A relatively free/democratic/friendly country, that in no time has been turned into completely another kind of beast? Do you really think the powers of global jihad will let these "social revolutions" slip through their fingers? Maybe us in Israel should start building those "Arcs" featured in the pic. "2012" ? At least we'll be able to "start over" somewhere else (Biribidjan???)

A revolution overthrows an existing regime. This certainly was NOT a revolution! Egypt is even less democratic now than it was before the MILITARY COUP. Nothing has actually changed short of Mubarak's departure. You figure that peaceful democratic elections will eventually be held--a dangerous assumption! The demonstrators in Cairo were but a tiny fraction of the overall Egyptian population.....the real pressure on Mubarak came from the powers that be within the military regime who have wanted him to leave for years. The protest was simply enough to get Mubarak out and was perhaps not enough to see true democratic reforms implemented. "The old regime is going home"? The old regime hasn't gone anywhere....just Mubarak. As of now, no one knows what the actual outcome of Mubarak's departure will be. Only time will tell. Your argument that dismantling the military regime is a precondition for socioeconomic prosperity is valid but weak. You fail to mention that all-powerful military is still ruling. You suppose they are just going to let go of their grip on power and disband themselves all in the name of economic prosperity? I don't buy it.

Want to pass that by me again? If this foolish man thinks that violent forces aren't at work in Egypt and elsewhere then he believes in the tooth fairy...dig below the surface and you'll find the Brotherhood and other islamic extremist elements.

no single Christian was killed in the protest, although almost 400 Muslims died and thousands injured. Well!, those 22 security men killed wer result of protesters' self-defense. No single stone thrown to a Church in the whole 18 day protest.

Mr. Plocker falls into a left-wing trap. Doesn't he remember 1979 and the Iranian revolution? I hope I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the Muslim Brotherhood will soon take advantage of the chaos in Egypt and another brick will be laid in the resurrection of the Muslim Caliphate.

except we deal with them on a weekly basis. Looting, smashing store windows, bashing cars, stoning people, throwing filthy diapers, etc.

The second lesson of the uprising is that non-violence pays off Comment - The Peacefull Revolts in China, and even Iran, tells another story than Democratic Takeover by peacefull Means. Further - Democracy functions immediately upon its establishment, and the next revolutions will therefore take root in the Middle East shortly. The rulers in Syria, Libya, Morocco, Iran and Sudan have already realized that the process is irreversible. They are completing the preparation of their escape routes. Comment - The Escape Routes could even be a Military Surprise attack against Israel. God Bevere !.

It is far from clear the revolution in Egypt is a grave blow to Al Quaeda. If the Moslem Brotherhood becomes influential in the new Egyptian government, which seems very likely, it could be a huge triumph for Al Quaeda and Radical Islam. Israel ceded the immensely militarily and strategically valuable Sinai for a piece of paper. Once again, like every Israeli concession and retreat, it is blowing up in our faces. The real lesson is: End Israeli retreat forever!

For reasons which escape all non-zionist readers, most Israelis despise the Egyptian revolution. Why? Because it does not comport with the mythical 'Arab backwardness' they have been repeating for so many decades. And because the 'people' of the newly freed countries will pursue a far more independent policy than their ex-dictators who were in thrall to US payments, would ever allow. Israel is not centtral to their struggle but the injustice it perpetrates will color the future. The keys to the Egyptian revolution, were two-fold. It was not because it was peaceful but that the world watched the struggle unfold in media world-wide. If the struggle had not beeen televised or mentioned in the international press, the government could have squelched it through violence. In fact, the Egyptian government tried to do so with their 'thugs' but the media quickly reported their actions as government-supported. On the other hand, Obama's veto of the latest Palestinian resolution in the UN has gotten next to no airplay in the US. Instead of stories questioning our policies, we are regaled by the latest from Bahrain and Libya. Our media in the US also reinforces stereoptypes. Secondly, the world did not assist the protesters, so this can in no way be seen as a 'foreign plot'. The international community prizes stability more than freedom or democracy. For the most part, it is hostile to change. There will be a new stability which will form in the Middle East after these convulsions. But I doubt that either the US, the West, nor Israel will benefit. Unlessthere is a change in how WE see the world and rid ourselves of our self-destructive stereotypes and policies, we will 'reap the whirlwind". And deservedly so.

Mr Plocker is drawing the wrong lessons,the only dialogue,the ayatolas will have with the people is through an iron fist,there are big differences between Egypt and Iran,Egypt is ruled by the Army which is part of the people,especially the lower ranks, and will not fire on their own,while in Iran the ayatolas rule with the help of a army of ss, who will not hasitate to use tanks against the people, the regular army,which is not trusted, is kept far away to guard the borders,lenin ruled Russia for 70 years,just through terror,mosolini did the same for 25 years,the only way for regime change in Iran,is,when a new ayatola will come to power with no blood on his hand,like Gorbachov in Russia,Gorbachov was the first bolshevic leader,who did not participate in the blood orgies of his predecessors,and the same goes for Libia (i hope i am wrong).

hope is stronger when it is right not wrong ...i think you are wrong not becouse of iron fist of the ruler but it is about the army ,evry army is from the nation but nees a real enemy to fight and need a sutable force . then hope whatever you want