Now comes a highly dangerous and unstable period for the following issues:
1. The extent of the implementation of Islamic law in the coming months and years. Obviously, the Muslim Brotherhood isn’t in the game for just a little Sharia.
2. The rights of non-Muslim religious minorities and the basic physical safety of the Copts, which was deplorable even under Mubarak.
3. The rights of women, and the practice of female genital mutilation, which is widespread in Egypt.
4. New Egyptian foreign policy and a new regime’s dealings with Hamas, Iran, Hizballah, Syria, and other jihadist regimes and organizations. Also, its relationship with northern Sudan, bent on its own renewal of Sharia.
5. The peace treaty with Israel.
6. The potential domino effect of uprisings in other Islamic countries.
Those are but a few — there are others. “Egypt’s Mubarak steps down,” from CNN, February 11:
Cairo, Egypt (CNN) — Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak resigned Friday, relinquishing power after three decades of iron-clad rule in the powerhouse nation of the Arab world.
Vice President Omar Suleiman announced the resignation on state television and said he was transferring authority to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to “run the affairs of the country.”
Tens of thousands of emotional anti-government protesters erupted in deafening cheers on the streets of Cairo after the announcement.
“Egypt is free!” they chanted.
It was a moment anti-government protesters had been waiting for after 18 days of rentless demonstrations that called for Mubarak’s departure.
U.S. President Barack Obama said he was notified of Mubarak’s decision Friday morning and was closley watching the extraordinary developments unfold in Egypt, a key U.S. ally. He will make a statement Friday afternoon, the White House said.
A source with close connections to Persian Gulf government leaders told CNN that Mubarak had gone to the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh.