This was the week when the unfinished Arab Spring became the enduring Arab Revolution. Hard and unflinching. The period of youthful idealism was over. It was time for the fabled “Arab Street” to reclaim its place.

The result was a dramatic challenge to the rulers of Egypt and Syria in a way that is shaking to the core the historic strategic relationships that have defined the Middle East for decades. It was a vivid reminder of how much the shape of this new 21st-century world is in upheaval.

The catalyst for these events was a toxic blend of hubris and criminality. In Egypt, the Arab world’s largest and most important country, its military rulers thought they could steal the post-Mubarak Egypt through stealth and raw power by rigging the process in their favour.

But they were stopped, at least for now. Hundreds of thousands of Egyptians poured onto the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and many other cities and towns to demand that civilian rule be established.

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In Syria, where more than 3,500 people have been killed by that regime’s military since March, the popular resistance has increased. So has the growing international isolation of Syria. This has been led by former allies such as Turkey and endorsed by the Arab League.

The pictures coming out of Cairo’s Tahrir Square in recent days are reminiscent of those we saw during the protests earlier this year, but there was a crucial difference. This time, they were widely seen throughout Egypt, even on state television, and across the Middle East. This fact has powerful political meaning.

There were two images in particular that captivated the crowds. They likely had special resonance in Arab homes as symbols of the wider struggle. One was the dramatic entrance into Tahrir Square of an Egyptian army officer who chose to switch sides and support the people. He was held aloft by cheering crowds and moved through the square to thundering applause and whistles. A second, more painful image was the crowds carrying an open casket containing the body of one of dozens of people killed by Egypt’s security forces during these protests. The camera caught several in the crowd weeping openly.

These images help explain the sudden explosion of popular rage that has returned to Egyptian streets and has been witnessed throughout the Middle East. The violence inflicted by Egypt’s security forces in the past week reinforced public resentment that the military rulers have betrayed the revolution by doing little to move the country towards democratic civilian government.

The events of the past week also underscored how disruptive this Arab Revolution will be for historic strategic relationships — in the region and in the world at large.

Although Western power in the Middle East is in decline, the American response to Egypt is crucial. The U.S. government has been publicly supportive of Egypt’s transition to democracy but in a very muted, restrained way. Egyptians know that the U.S. is the largest funder of their country’s military, which brings with it the unique power of influence. As the Egyptian news media reported, the canisters of tear gas directed at the protesters were clearly marked “Made in the U.S.A.” The Obama administration needs to choose on which side of history it wants America to land.

Syria’s deepening crisis is also shredding traditional alliances in the region. The Arab League has condemned Syria and suspended it from membership. Turkey has stepped up its campaign to bring down the Bashar Assad regime. On Tuesday, the human rights committee of the United Nations General Assembly condemned Syria for its crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. The resolution was supported by 122 nations, including 13 Arab states and Turkey. Even Hamas, the Palestinian faction headquartered in Damascus, has quietly distanced itself from the Syrian president. All of this reinforces the sense that the biggest loser by far from this Arab Revolution has been Iran. What may this mean in the months and years ahead?

There are many risks still ahead as this dramatic Arab story unfolds. But some crucial things are becoming clear. In Egypt, the military will not get away with hijacking the country’s revolution. That much we now know from the hundreds of thousands of Egyptians who took part in the protests. In Syria, few informed observers see any other conclusion than the eventual fall of the Assad regime.

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Given this, a vastly different Middle East is certain to emerge from these turbulent times. For the first time in decades, the map will be redrawn. If we continue to trust and support the people, rather than the military or politicians, that’s reason for optimism — not alarm.

Tony Burman, former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News, teaches journalism at Ryerson University. tony.burman@gmail.com

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