The surprise showing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt's national elections highlights the dilemma faced by democracy advocates in the West. The strong support for fundamentalist Islamic groups throughout the region directly challenges the assumption that free and open elections will lead to governments that share the views of their supporters abroad.
At the same time, suppressing those groups intensifies pressures within Middle Eastern societies. There must be some outlet for popular opinion or these societies risk upheaval.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has long been a favorite in the West. His readiness to engage Israel and to be a force for moderation has established him as a leading voice within the region. It has also qualified him for billions of dollars in financial support from the United States each year. But as the recipient of U.S. money and as a regional power, Mr. Mubarak is also expected to lead by example. Thus he has come under considerable pressure from democracy advocates to open up his country's political system and allow for more democracy.