Same Old Egypt

Great hope was expressed for a new, more democratic Egypt to emerge after Hosni Mubarak was deposed from power by the so-called "Arab Spring". Let us now explore how Mubarak came to lead Egypt and more importantly, how Mubarak retained his power although he was widely despised by the Egyptian people? The answer is glaringly simple- Mubarak was installed and clung to office solely because of his membership in and continuing association with the officer corps of Egypt's military. When it served their interest to change figureheads and remove Mubarak, the generals did, while holding on to all the authority and incumbent force that they had vested in themselves. The old dictator is out of power but the dictatorship behind him remains firmly in place.