A Riddle Worthy of the Sphinx

Although it's understandable that other countries - especially those which have close ties to one that is in deep political trouble - express their concern for that country's future, it seems to me that calling publicly for a foreign leader to step down or not run for office again is presumptuous and a violation of that country's sovereignty. The Egyptians don't need anyone meddling in their affairs; it's now quite clear what their wishes are, and they seem capable of resolving their internal difficulties by themselves. It isn't as if Mubarak has no idea about what he must do, and needs Obama, for example, to point him in the right direction. It's a matter of time and time is running out on him.

But, the principle of the thing is important. How would Obama feel if some foreign leader were to publicly call on him to, say, give Puerto Rico its independence? As a matter of fact, the United Nations as a whole has pretty much done that several times in recent years, and the President and the Congress of the United States have given the usual answer, that is to say, that this is a "domestic issue", thus disregarding international law. So, clearly, there is a double standard. The U.S., all high and mighty, gets to tell other countries what to do, but will not contemplate anyone else doing the same to them.