Israelis would be pleased to see democracy in Egypt, but don't try to pass off as democracy what autocrats and dictators are doing in Lebanon, Iran, PA, Jordan and Syria. Perhaps Israel should just wait out these non-democracies as well until they reach a point where they are truly legitimate regimes. Until that point we can look at the glass half-full. Military rule in Egypt is a continuation of the same regime that signed and mostly honored a peace agreement with Israel. They won't start stoning women or killing of non-Moslems like the Taliban or the Mullahs in Iran as well.

I actually want a really democratic ME! Where there will be a real exchange of ideas with cultural, scientific, etc. collaboration. I think the people in the ME, including Israel, want to meet and make peace. Israelis were the first to rush to Egypt after the peace treaty, they were the first to rush to Jordan. But it was a one-sided affair...we were talking to ourselves. Maybe if the countries surrounding us make a real effort towards democracy there will be a real dialogue and we will all discover that we can get along very well. But I'm not naive, so I know that real change will be very slow.

Shame on you. The Egyptians want democracy, and it may not be what you want or you like, but I am absolutely sure they do not want a military dictatorship again. Get off the pot and smell the changes. Crops have been bad all over the world. That will surely bring hunger and unrest. You want people to riot for food so that the military can shoot them down. Shame on you.

edgy, kind of cute. But he kind of sounds like an idiot.

As Natan Sharansky and Ron Dermer said in their best seller, "The Case for Democracy," the primary goal of American foreign policy, as well as that of the free world, should be the expansion of democracy. A moral foreign policy based on freedom and human rights will best insure that nations will respect their citizens and their neighbors. I tried to figure out if this op-ed was a serious piece. Certainly Israel is not "a country ruled by generals" but a shining light of democracy that, whether the other nations in the Middle East agree or not, is moving them toward democracy and personal freedom.

for true democracy in the Arab world. Unfortunately, there is a very good chance that Muslim extremists will take over. The Iranian people outsted the Shah to get more freedom and democracy, but then the Islamists took over and took away whatever freedoms they had previously enjoyed.

to themselves. Period. If their freedom is going to be at the expense of our freedom, then we prefer our own freedom.

It has been so for years, almost since its establishment. Retiring generals (and high officers) become politicos and continue managing affairs among themselves. But not as exclusively as in dictatorial countries, of course. There is a myth in Israel that retiring generals have management skills. Actually, they are a threat to democracy, or could be. A coup is not without question in Israel. Never say "never."

A thought-provoking article. The entire region will gain from an expanded war economy which will increase employment opportunities significantly – in the military, armaments industries, etc. A useful by-product will be that governments will be able to divert attention from worrying internal issues through an increased focus on external threats. As the writer points out, the occasional war will also be useful since, as was pointed out two hundred years ago, the inevitable deaths will help to regulate population growth and match it to food supply. And, if internal issues do begin to surface then there are ready-made, up-to-date security machines to deal with these. But, in any case, peoples’ stomachs will be full, they will be thankful to the generals, and they will therefore have no need for liberal democracy or to exercise individual liberties in the political arena. The generals will, however, need to be good managers and keep their egos in check otherwise there will be problems (as seen in one or two places in the last few weeks). I suggest, in addition to their military training, the generals will need further professional development in human resource management and public relations. They will also need to do a deal with the electronic media people to control the use of computers and cell phones in a way that ensures that they are merely used for innocent personal interaction and entertainment. We have seen what unregulated tweeting can do.

The first batch of leaders were stauchly civilian - ben gurion, sharett, Levi, Meir. Until the late 70s the only generals who were players in government were Allon and Dayan and that was because of their friendship with Ben Gurion not because they were generals. Generals going into politics is a recent occurence, mostly since the 90s.

How funny rhis writer is. Would he like it if Israel were run by generals. or is he affraid and worried from true democracy at his neighbors.

Unfortunately, your politicians don't inspire much confidence, since the very first things out of their mouths ranged from canceling the peace treaty to marching on Jerusalem. For everyone's benefit, lets hope for an Egypt that gets its house in order and remains committed to regional peace rather than worse alternatives.

... is regional stability. In other words, it is better to have the asylum managed by the director rather than the inmates. The fact of the matter is that the educated Egyptian classes are fleeing Egypt in droves. What's left are the asylum directors and the inmates. The inmates are far more likely to fall under the spell of the Moslem Brotherhood. Egypt is fated to be what it has always been -- a ruthless regime; whether in the name of the monarch, or a succession of generals. Democracy is not coming to the Arab world any time soon. Might as well opt for regional stability.

Not since Rabin has Israel been "ruled" by a general.

Israel's democracy is one of the strongest in the world and a "coup" here is as likely as your governor Schwarzenegger getting rid of his Austrian accent.

what you said is completely corret. peoples of Arabs and jews need to reach a peaceful and just settelment. we can not exterminate you and you either. israel can not live in peace if it is surrounded by enemy. dictators are short-range soultion but not strategic solution

In Israel has been in the Army, it only stands to reason that those that held the highest rank would have the most experience, be the most eligible for Political or Commercial positions of rank Of course it's the buddy system, the fellow that you trust when he fought alongside of you is the same fellow you would trust to run the government or help you to establish a commercial enterprise Kids grow up together, go to kindergarten, grade & high schools together, then they serve together They are the people you know and trust It's like in the USA, where Congress is infested with Lawyers, because the know how make Laws Every shoemaker to his own last General Washington, General Grant, General Eisenhower, do those names ring a bell with you, all became Presidents ?

The only Israelis who would like to see a democracy in Egypt are the ones who haven't got a clue as to what it would mean. The Muslim Brotherhood make up a third of voters in Egypt right now and because they're more motivated and ruthless they would either win a democratic election in Egypt on end up in control like Hezbullah has in Lebanon.

I only listed those generals who immediately came to mind, however there were nine more Twelve Presidents were former Generals; George Washington, Andrew Jackson, William Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Franklin Pierce, Andrew Johnson, U. S. Grant, Rutherford Hayes, James Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, and Dwight Eisenhower

Ever hear of Teddy Roosevelt, San Juan Hill ?, he didn't make General, though he did become a President You really should note that most fellows that graduate the U.S. Military Academies wind up as higher up's in the Military, Industry or Politics, by virtue of the connection they made while at the various Academies

good or bad war mmmmm good to whome bad to whome

The people in Egypt and other places have clearly rejected permanent military rule, they want democracy. By doing so, it would simply push more people to extremist groups that would be a real threat. Democratic neighboors is in Israel's long term interest.

go live in saudi arabia we wont miss you here.

Here's one more, Teddy Roosevelt, (San Juan Hill) he didn't reach the rank of General, he did become President Buddy system works fine; you know who you can rely on For one thing, I know I couldn't rely on you, w dont' think alike Speaking of Democracy, the United States (Republic) (has lasted 235 years, with the many Generals it has had, I for one, would say the buddy system works pretty darn good Or to put it another way, let's say you needed surgery, would you want a team that had worked with other, or a new team that were unfamiliar how the other team members functioned The name of the game is "COOPERATION"