With the Mideast in Turmoil and Egypt on the Brink, What Would Reagan Do?

FrumForum ^ | 2/6/11 | John Guardiano

[John R. Guardiano]

As we conservatives celebrate the centennial of Ronald Reagan’s birth amid the uprising in Egypt, we’d do well to reflect upon what it is that made Reagan such a unique, impressive and singular politician.

For me, three traits in particular stand out: his strategic vision, his optimism, and his unwavering belief in the universal aspiration for liberty. Unfortunately, all three of these characteristics are sorely lacking, I regret to say, in most of the conservative commentary about Egypt, Islam and the Middle East.

Reagan, you will recall, came into office in 1981 when all of the “experts” — including many conservative “experts” and media desk jockeys — were convinced that the Soviet Union could never be defeated. It was too big, too powerful and too permanent.

Reagan disagreed. “It is the Soviet Union that runs against the tide of history,” he said. It is “the march of freedom and democracy which will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history…”

Would that today’s conservative “leaders” possessed Reagan’s wisdom and prescience. But alas, they do not. Instead, they seem convinced that radical Islam and “Sharia” are poised to overrun and overtake America.

On Fox’s Hannity Show, for instance, Frank Gaffney said that “the Obama administration’s policies are being viewed through, and actually articulated and implemented through, influence operations that the Muslim Brotherhood itself is running in our own country.”

Newt Gingrich, too, has been peddling fear: by warning of the dangers of “Sharia” in America, and despairing of a “strategic disaster” and a “dangerous outcome for the United States.”

David Horowitz, likewise, has been providing intellectual cover fire for the fearful and paranoid Right, especially Glenn Beck, who promotes Horowitz on his show.

Beck, of course, is notable of late for his ludicrous declaration that the Egyptian revolution could well...

[John R. Guardiano]

Russia Then, Reagan Today, and Egypt Tomorrow

[screaminsunshine]

Kept his mouth shut. and let the Egyptians do what they had to do.

[Wolfstar]

Well, we know what Reagan did when the Marine barracks were bombed in Lebanon. In the context of the times, it probably was the right decision. It certainly seemed the safe decision at the time. But, with the benefit of hindsight, we know a long and winding road led from there to 9/11/2001.

[RichInOC]

Outlaw radical Islam forever and begin bombing in five minutes.

Seriously, if the nutters don’t ever get to run the world, it won’t be because they don’t want to. Or because they aren’t trying. Optimism is a good thing. Confidence in the universal will to liberty is a good thing. So are wise strategic vision, good enough intelligence to sort the good guys from the bad guys...and the readiness, willingness and ability to kill the latter. Even if the current
administration has the first two things, I’m not at all confident they have the latter three. Hope is not a strategy.

[napscoordinator]

Yep. I still can’t believe he did nothing. 156 Marines died that day and 3000 died years later. Plus another 4000 have died during the two wars, but hindsight is 20/20.

[NailInACoffin]

Egypt is on a razor’s edge. We know there are people there who genuinely want freedom and democracy, but others like the Muslim Brotherhood want more tyranny. I feel like Reagan would have found a way to stand with those who want freedom.

[alecqss]

Reading Frum one may think that Reagan defeated communism by helping communists to overrun one country after another...

[hinckley buzzard]

Reagan, I dare say, would have reached out to and have supported the Egyptian people

Just how do you do that? Which "Egyptian People?" The MB? Other protestors?

Who are they, and what makes you think they have any intentions other than to be just as autocratic as Mubarak?

And btw, all your other examples had Reagan reaching out to people who were oppressed by sworn enemy regimes. Egypt has been a reliable ally regime. Do you think that might make some difference?

So you tell us-- how do you today "reach out and support the Egyptian people." Be concrete--who do you talk to, what do you say, what do you do?

I think you are wrong. I think Reagan would have initiated a vigorous back door diplomatic initiative to see what was actually going on, and then launch a strategy that sought to protect US interests-- a consideration sadly lacking in your screed.

[rmlew]

Turkey is turning Islamist. You don’t know basic facts.

[rmlew]

Obama’s allies helped foment this rebellion.
http://biggovernment.com/libertychick/2011/02/02/was-wikileaks-right-did-union-organizers-and-the-u-s-state-dept-help-plan-egypts-uprising/
http://avideditor.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/is-seiu-working-with-hamas-and-farc/
http://www.codepink4peace.org/article.php?id=5682
http://bigpeace.com/taylorking/2011/02/03/obama-code-pink-and-egypt-there-are-no-coincidences-in-politics/
http://noisyroom.net/blog/2011/02/06/obama%E2%80%99s-pal-george-soros-and-the-fall-of-egypt/
http://www.michaelsavage.wnd.com/files/filesSavage/Savage-ObamaGivingMiddleEastToIslamistRadicals-Rev03.pdf

Soros, wrote and editorial in support not only of ending the Mubarak regime, but also supporting the Muslim Brotherhood. He also attacked Israel.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/02/AR2011020205041.html

Neoconservatives are split with the true believers supporting the Egyptian protesters.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2011/02/the-neocons-split-with-israel-over-egypt/70636/
http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018554.html
http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018559.html