exempting Morsi’s decisions from judicial review and the opposition has accused him of behaving like a new dictator, equating him to former President Mubarak. It is apparent that Egypt is taking steps back rather than forward in progress in establishing their new democratic government. However, if the United States’ initiative entails spreading democracy, especially to support those people who are entreating and protesting for a voice in their government, the United States needs to take steps in helping to ensure UIBU &HZQU IBT B DIBODF UP GVMðMM their decade long goal in gaining this democracy. In light of International Law, many of these obligations are clearly delineated. Relevant documents are the annexed regulations to the Hague Convention IV of 1907, the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention and Protocol I to the Geneva Convention of 1977. According to author Martin Junior State of America
L. Cook, Major obligations of the occupying power are the maintenance of law and order, administration of a judicial system, and provision of adequate food, water and medical treatment “to the fullest extent of the means available to [the occupying power].” Since America has had occupied forces in Egypt before, the U.S. has laid a seed of democracy to grow. In order for this seed of democracy to thrive, America needs to pursue aid to Egypt. The issue in the Middle East will only worsen if the U.S. continues to refuse to take action in these areas where political corruption keeps occurring. The United States’ ethical obligations as well as our strategic interests including continued access to Middle East oil and natural gas, stopping the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and reducing anti-American terrorism are owed to this Middle Eastern country. Halting aid and giving up
an attempt to maintain democracy in Egypt will only make matters worse for the ill-reformed country as well as for America’s foreign interests. In fact, According to The Hill newspaper, senior House Republican David Dreier of California says it would be a “big mistake” to cut funding to Libya and Egypt. Dreier says it is essential now more than ever to “strengthen ties with these fledgling democracies.” %FNPDSBDZ XJMM CFOFðU UIF people of Egypt just as it does to us, it allows us to participate and be heard by our policy makers and government officials to ensure the type of life we wish to pursue. However, a fledgling democracy is exactly what Egypt is at the moment. Egypt is in dire need of aid and support from the United States to ensure that a sustainable democracy is kept.
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