Why Northern Michigan should keep eyes on Egypt
TRAVERSE CITY -- The world is watching as the chaos continues in Egypt. Thousands of protestors are demanding that the president resign from power.
Even though Egypt is on the other side of the world, a former United States Diplomat who lives in Traverse City says the effect reaches home.
Jack Segal, the former chief Political Advisor to NATO Commander, has been to Egypt six times. He says unrest in the country could push up oil and gas prices and reshape foreign relations in the Middle East.
Segal says the situation in Egypt is a symbol of pent up desire for change. Millions of young adults are coming out of college and unable to find a job.
Segal says, "We have a lot of similar problems.We have under-employed people and we have a big gap between rich and not so rich. That is a widening gap we need to look at that."
Protestors are calling for President Hosni Mubarak to step down after 30-years in power. Segal says it is important for the US to monitor what happens.
Segal says, "We have a lot of interest in the region. Egypt is a big, important country. Egypt is one of the few that has a peace treaty with our strategic ally Israel, and Egypt's instability effects the whole world."
