In 1776, our founding fathers wrote, “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.” We should keep the conviction of our own convictions to support the human rights and democratic aspirations of the Egyptian people. It appears that the army has sided against President Mubarak, making a change in government inevitable. We should continue aid to the Egyptian army, help defeat the radical Muslim Brotherhood, and do what we can for Egypt to embrace a democratic future tied to the West and its promise of economic growth.
I urge the administration to set three priorities in order of importance: 1) the State and Defense Departments should continue to monitor the security of U.S. citizens in the country, with robust contingency plans to ensure the safety of our fellow citizens, 2) we should ensure the open and safe navigation of the Suez Canal, recognizing its importance to world trade and our fragile economic recovery, and 3) to prevent an institutional collapse, which would give an opening to the radical Muslim Brotherhood, the United States should continue aid to Egypt—especially military assistance.
Our top diplomatic goal should be to maintain the Camp David accords that established peace between Egypt and Israel. The last thing our economy needs is another war in the Middle East.
Mark Kirk is the junior senator from Illinois.