December 17, 2011

By Natan Sharansky

Natan Sharansky, a human rights activist and political prisoner in the former Soviet Union, is chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency. He is the author of “The Case for Democracy.”

The results of the recent parliamentary elections in Egypt and the harsh scenes of soldiers beating protesters this weekend have fueled a new round of anxiety in the West over the direction of the Arab Spring. Hopes raised to a fever pitch by the events of January and February have suffered a crushing blow. Observing the victory of the Islamist parties last month, liberals’ miserable showing and the military’s determination to maintain an iron grip, some ask whether the end of Egyptian democracy is already in sight. Others are asking whether democracy, “our” Western heritage, is really for “them.” Read more