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Egypt recently arrested 30 bloggers as they were on their way to Naga Hammadi, the site where several Coptic Christians were brutally killed. Here are some details about the event:

“The bloggers are among a bigger group of Egyptians that include politicians like Osama Ghazali Harb of the liberal Democratic Front Party, Kifaya leader George Ishaaq and Cairo university professor and opposition leader Mohamed Abul Ghar. Split in two separate groups, one en route to Naga Hammadi by train and the other by bus from Luxor, they were heading to the small town in order to meet Bishop Kirollos of the Naga Hammadi Diocese, in addition to the families of those who lost their lives in the violence a week earlier, not only in order to console them but also to show solidarity.”

The State department is currently concerned about the arrests, yet no further actions seem likely. President Obama has done quite a bit to repair the damaged relationship between Egypt and the United States. However, he cannot in good conscience allow democracy activists and advocates of religious freedom to be arbitrarily arrested in a country that is the second largest recipient of U.S. international assistance! Squeezing moderates is going to empower Islamists who offer an alternative to America and democracy.

In 2005, Condoleezza Rice gave a biting speech in Cairo demanding Egyptians to embrace democratic principles. Egypt was angry. President Hosni Mubarak skipped his Spring meeting in Washington D.C. As such, President Obama’s speech made no such demands in his speech a few weeks ago. A few days ago, Nobel Laureate and outgoing head of the IAEA Mohamed ElBaradei was blasted by the Egyptian state media for putting his name forward for the upcoming presidential elections in 2011.

The state controlled media is criticizing for him for his international service and lack of political expereince. “Imported president for Egypt,” read the headline of state-owned Al Ahram el-Messaei, along with a large front page cartoon portraying Mr ElBaradei as a foreigner. Another newspaper suggested that Mr. ElBaradei is a puppet of the United States and helped the United States invade Iraq. In fact he actually defied the U.S. in refusing to support American claims of nuclear weapons in Iraq. ElBaradei represents a real chance for Egypt. He is a moderate, rational figure with international prestige and domestic popularity. Until last week, Egyptian state media considered him a credit to their country.

President Obama has shied away from democracy promotion. Reformers have even lamented his election. However, he has a chance to change this. The President can apply pressure to Mubarak, threaten to withdraw aid and do whatever it takes to demand a free and fair election. He has a chance to bring democracy to Egypt, to allow the country not to sink into Islamism and offer a true alternative. A democracy for Egypt by Egyptians. Mr. Obama has an unbelievable opportunity and if he helps bring democracy to Egypt, he truly deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

Those who claimed that the world would look at America very differently under Obama might be surprised at the new poll released by Gallup (thanks to Ricky Tracy for the link). The results show some improvement in American standings but hardly enough to meet the high expectations of the President’s supporters.

The biggest increase came in the three North African states of Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria, while the biggest drop came in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Support for the United States in the territories dropped from 13% to 7% and in Lebanon from 25% to 22%. American support of Israel during the Gaza is the likely reason for the drop.

The poll was taken on the eve of the President’s first trip to the Arab world where he will deliver a public address in Cairo. The president’s symbolism and rhetoric will surely draw a crowd but it remains to be seen whether he will say anything of significance. Many want to hear the President demand that the Arab world democratize. Others will want him to say that America will stay out of Arab internal affairs. Still others want him to abandon America’s support for Israel and demand a homeland for the Palestinians. Given these constraints, Obama, the charmer-in-chief, will have his hands full as he must finally take a stance in the complex web of Arab politics.