Because Mubarak is being forced out by popular demand and protest, the successor has no choice but to loosen the reigns of oppression and push reforms. The entire world is watching and I think it's clear Egypt cannot stay the same. This is totally different than the transition from Sadat to Mubarak in which everyone was initially in a state of shock and an iron hand could be justified. I understand the cautious pessimism about your country. You have more emotionally invested than the rest of us on this forum. Certainly the military will stay in control, but there will be big progress. And because your country is so influential in that region of the world, it will affect many other nations. This is both a promising and very scary prospect.
