Egypt's enduring challenges

Egypt is a regional bellwether, the most populous Arab state and formerly the most influential. If the democratic experiment succeeds there, other states in transition will fall into place. The Papyrus Revolution was a remarkable achievement for the people of Egypt, but the hard work of consolidating democracy remains to be completed. Washington has a strong interest in the outcome and should not pretend otherwise. Its influence should be used to help Cairo manage change while maintaining stability. The fate of more than 80 million Egyptians, and quite possibly the region as a whole, depends on it.