The Arab Summer

The Egyptian people shook the world and created global opposition to dictatorships after toppling the two decade reign of Hosni Mubarak in 2011. A united and motivated bunch, Egyptians fought (many to the death) their dictator until he reluctantly resigned and fled Cairo on February 11 of that year. However, the Egyptian people are not satisfied with simply taking down their government; they want to build one up, and they are succeeding. The people of Egypt have their eyes set on democracy, which looks to be on the near horizon. On November 28, 2011, Egypt held its first primary election since the previous regime had been in power.

As many are casting their ballots in the hopes of creating a true democracy, some events are occurring in Egypt that are direct contradictions to the goal in mind. 

On Wednesday, a military court sentenced Egyptian blogger Maikel Nabil to two years in prison for insulting the military and publishing false news. The 26 year old activist cannot appeal the verdict, and has been on a hunger strike to protest his arrest, living on water and milk since August. 

As of now, Egypt is under military rule. But, many fear that the Muslim Brotherhood, which seeks to gain control of the nation, will be no less authoritative than was Mubarak. Is the revolution but a bridge that leads to even darker times in Egyptian history? Or is this just the natural phase of a country's rebirth? Was the notorious reign of Hosni Mubarak the precursor to an even worse dictatorship. Only time will tell, but the Egyptian people will stand united regardless.