Now that the powereful Egyptian military has vowed not to use force against the demonstrators, to me the departure of Mubarak only seems imminent, only a matter of when. Those concerned must now focus on what is -- or would be -- next without Mubarak in the equation. The Egyptian political platform sans Mubarak is of the utmost concern particularly to Israel and the US, who have -- wrongly, may I add -- bet every penny on the former as the stalwart of "peace" ("peace" in quotations to intend pun, i.e., as understood by US and Israel) in the Middle East.

Should Egypt be bestowed with transformations that was once unthinkable in the coming days, equally behemoth changes must be made in the US and Israeli policies towards "peace." For one thing, they must now realize that their policy of making their hopes and aspirations beholden to one person has always been -- and will always prove -- misguided. Genuine and lasting peace is always something that is sowed from the hearts and minds of the PEOPLE. That obliviously would not have been easy; of course not everyone in Egypt would have prescribed to peace with Israel, and the proceedings would have been messy and uncertain. However, that itself is the core of democracy -- the uncertainties and the difficulties that we stand to endure today would prove far more dividentuous, and maybe even ecstatic, in the future. Casting one's hopes on dictatorship for a perceived gain now will do just that: Ensure a MOMENTARY profit, and a certain "back-to-square-one" at some point. There are sure to be a lot of drawbacks in the democratic path too, but "back to zero" is hardly the scenario one can count on in this.

There have been much talk (read: Fear!) about the rise of Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamasition of Egypt should Mubarak fall. First off, it is indeed premature to fear anything that is pronounced "Islamist" or "Muslim." Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt is harldy the kind of extremists that beholds Iran, for instance. They have renounced violence, and have always entrusted their political guidance to the members of non-clergy intelligentsia. They are not run by hard-headed Mullahs, and are more secular in their approach to politics than one would have imagined. They are conservative, of course, but as disagreeable (to me too!) as conservatism may be, it is guaranteed a right under democracy.

Second, as I understand it, Muslim Brotherhood is hardly a sweeping force in Egyptian politics. They are merely a part of a vast and massive coalition, so they would hardly have a monopoly over decisions regarding Egyptian lives They will be prone to arduous negotiations and compromises. Should they not live upto the aspirations of the Egyptian people, the latter would not vote for them (as it is true of Hezbullah in Lebanon, another fiercely feared force in the West).

The US must also make drasctic changes in it's approach to the Middle East in another way: Making Israel the core of it's policies there is down right wrong and unhelpful. They must now learn to foster other relationships, juggle more than one ball, if they are to protect their genuine interests in the region.

Finally, I personally do not foresee what some analysts have described as the "domino effect." It began with Tunesia, and I think it will end with Egypt. I do not see other Arab nations ready for such upheavel, either in terms of (gravely) lost popularity of the ruling elites, or in terms of the readyness of the DARING population to take on the authorities.

Biggest loser of this saga: Israel. Biggest winner: The Arab people. The US can -- and will -- adjust.