CAIRO - Fifty-nine years ago on July 23, 1952, a group of young military officers led by Gamal Abdul Nasser overthrew the Egyptian monarchy in a bloodless coup and gave birth to an era that turned the country into a regional powerhouse. With his charisma, Nasser became the leader of pan-Arab nationalism and non-alignment. He restored a sense of regional pride after a humiliating military defeat by the newly formed state of Israel in 1948. Today the nation marks the 59th anniversary of the 1952 Revolution. Many Egyptians and Arabs still admire Nasser and his legacy and wonder what was left in a country dominated by the January 25 Lotus Revolution that overthrew Hosni Mubarak's 30-year regime on February 11. While some Egyptians blame Nasser for many of the nation's current economic and political problems, others remember the Nasser era as their country's and the whole Arab world's glory days. They agree that the real legacy of the 1952 Revolution was national dignity and Nasser's independent approach to the world community. Nasser (1918-1970) and his 'Free Officers' came to power four years after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, which constituted the beginning of a neo-colonial era and the start of the Middle East conflict. While many Egyptians believe that Nasser promoted pan-Arab unity and championed national interests, they feel betrayed by his 'bad' successor Mubarak and his close ties with Israel amid continued occupation of Palestinian territories. Today, many Egyptians say that Egypt - under the former regime - became Washington's tool in the Middle East, fulfilling its vision and ignoring the atrocities committed by Israel Until today, Egyptians still argue whether the 1952 Revolution was the first step on a glorious road, a broken promise or a dead end. They say that the Government's policies have shifted dramatically over the past 59 years. Egypt's first President, the fatherly Mohamed Naguib, was ousted in 1954 due to an internal power struggle. He was succeeded by Nasser who presided over the nationalisation of the Suez Canal and private industry, as well as the creation of a one-party State and military defeat by Israel in 1967. His anti-colonialism and socialism may have been necessary at a time when Egypt was still occupied by British troops and troubled by deep splits between rich and poor. However, for many Egyptians the 1952 Revolution still merits commemoration. Like the French Revolution, the 1952 Revolution changed Egyptian and Arab history and affected the history of the world. Egyptians agree that under Nasser the country underwent sweeping reforms including land redistribution, promotion of industrial development, nationalisation and the expansion of social welfare services.
