The Egyptian Revolt and Jordan's Response to Unrest

Every day we see the images coming from Cairo or Alexandria - BBC, CNN, and the rest. Every day we hear western governments and public figures urging Egyptians to be moderate in their demonstrations and strongly supporting a regime change by demanding that President Mubarak step down. Only the United States has so far refused to make such a comment about Mubarak publicly, but an American envoy is now on the ground in Cairo, not simply to visit the archeological museum, we can be sure.
The Vice President appointed by Mubarak, an Air Force General, has announced that he will begin negotiations with "all parties" to resolve the crisis. He is seen by observers as the real power in Egypt today. He seems to be in control of the Army, and so Mubarak, whatever he may be asking the Army for as his "golden parachute", is already irrelevant. It is the Army, still the only institution trusted by the Egyptian people, that will negotiate and agree on the future governmental form of Egypt.

Today, Egyptians are marching in what they see as their last best hope for winning the freedom they so badly want. They are being watched, but not bothered, by the Army, which has said it supports their desire for a more just government.
If the march today turns violent, if the marchers turn toward the presidential palace, if the Army is forced to reply with hostile fire because it feels threatened, we will see an unwinding of the revolt in blood and despair. But, if the marchers can keep calm, if they can protest without threatening the Army, if the Army can broker a deal fast enough to prevent mass chaos, Egypt will have the breathing space it needs to put its country together in a more democratic form.
Against the Egyptian backdrop, think of Jordan. Jordan is a constitutional monarchy ruled by King Abdullah II, a 49-year-old friend of democracy and the West. He sits on one of the oldest thrones in the world, the Hashemites, descended from relatives of the Prophet Mohammed. Time and again over the centuries, Jordan's Hashemite kings have settled regional disputes, served as titular rulers of Mecca, made peace with Israel, and showed the Arab world that Islam is not inherently coercive or bellicose.
Abdullah rules over a parliament that actually has power and over a people whose votes actually yield results. He supports religions freedom, has set aside parliament seats for Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities, and has embarked on a program to give women equal rights. Jordan is not yet "perfect" but it is a far cry from its politically backward neighbors.
Last evening, King Abdullah responded to recent silent marches by small groups of Jordanians in support of Tunisian and Egyptian marchers, and asking for more freedom for themselves, by appointing a new Prime Minister who is charged to review the Constitution and make changes that will continue Jordan's own march toward full democracy.
Think about Abdullah. Pray for his people and him as they enter new ground-breaking territory yet again. And hope that Jordan's model will prevail in the Middle East. It is what is needed and it can be done. Jordan and Abdullah II are the proof.