Arab Spring: A New Egypt 5/6

Hosni Mubarak was the President of Egypt. He served as the country's leader from 1981 to 2011. Mubarak's presidency was marked by a long period of authoritarian rule and political stability. However, his regime was also criticized for human rights abuses and corruption. In 2011, he was overthrown during the Egyptian revolution, which led to widespread protests and political upheaval in the country. Mubarak's ousting was followed by a trial and subsequent imprisonment. He passed away in 2020.

The Tunisian revolution served as a catalyst and inspiration for the Egyptian people to revolt. The success of the Tunisian uprising in overthrowing their long-standing dictator, Ben Ali, gave hope to Egyptians who were also discontent with their own authoritarian regime under Hosni Mubarak. The Tunisian revolution showed that change was possible and that people could stand up against oppressive governments. The Egyptian people took to the streets, demanding political reform and an end to corruption, ultimately leading to the ousting of Mubarak.

During Egypt's revolution, the international response was initially neutral, not taking a side. However, as the fighting continued, the international community started to support the Egyptian people. This implies that as the conflict escalated and the demands of the Egyptian people became more apparent, the international community shifted their stance and sided with the protesters.

Tahrir Square held great significance as it served as the epicenter for the protesters. This implies that the square was a central location where the protesters gathered and organized their demonstrations. It became a symbol of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, as thousands of people gathered there to demand political change and the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. Tahrir Square became a powerful symbol of people's resistance and their desire for democracy, making it a historically significant location.

During the protests against the government in Egypt, the Egyptian army chose to stay neutral and did not take sides. This means that they did not actively support the government or the protesters. Instead, they maintained a neutral position, not intervening or taking any actions against any side involved in the protests.

Khalid Said's significance lies in the fact that his brutal killing by the police served as a catalyst for the revolution. His death sparked widespread protests and outrage among the Egyptian population, leading to a wave of demonstrations and ultimately the overthrow of the government.

After the president of Egypt left, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces took over. This suggests that the military assumed control of the country in the absence of the president.

During the Arab Spring, the local and international media were showing the protesters being violent and the government being violent against peaceful protesters. This suggests that there was a significant amount of violence and conflict between the protesters and the government during this period. The media coverage likely focused on the clashes and the human rights abuses that were taking place, highlighting the volatile and tense situation in the region.

The president's desperation to prove that the Egyptian people wanted him to stay suggests that there was likely opposition or unrest against his leadership. Hiring mercenaries would imply that he resorted to using force or intimidation to create the appearance of support. This would be a strategic move to maintain his position of power, even if it meant manipulating public opinion through hired individuals who may not have genuine support for him.

Mubarak tried to appease the protesters by announcing that he will not run in the next election, stopping his son from running for election, and kicking out top party officials from the government.