third decade, making him one of Egypt's most durable pharaohs. His succession plan is clear: Son Gamal tries to replicate Beijing's model of economic reform, forestalling political reform... American policymakers could soon face the same tough choice on Egypt that they once suffered with Iran's faltering Shah: Step in with maximum effort during a succession crisis or let the chips fall where they may. Washington's soft peddling of democracy hasn't moved the highly corrupt government toward any serious political reform, as the Mubarak's prefer Beijing's blueprint over anything we might offer. And, as the regime resorts to stoking anti-Western and anti-Semitic popular sentiment, it gets harder to imagine a path forward for U.S.-Egyptian relations as this global recession advances. All I can say, Mr. President, is that when you decide which major Islamic capital will be the venue for your much-anticipated address to the Muslim world, do yourself a favor and pass on restive Cairo, because you just might trigger more response than your administration can afford right now." --Professor Thomas P. M. Barnett, Naval War College "When it happens, it will rock the world..: octogenarian Mubarak, will leave office, either by his own decision or that of Providence, probably within the next three years. So far, few in the West have paid much attention. But Egyptians certainly are getting ready, and we should do so as well." --Georgetown University Professor Michelle Dunne, expert on Arab politics and U.S. policy at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace From the Inside