“Pharaoh is gone.” Mubarak is no longer the leader of Egypt. The military is going to hold down the fort and will most certainly end the emergency laws in place for the past 30 years as soon as circumstances allow. When might circumstances allow? Pardon my asking.
There was no doubt that in order to end the protests in Tahrir Square, Mubarak had to officially step down and Suleiman, his Vice President, could not be immediately named his successor. There was no doubt that the military had to step in. But if anyone says that they lack doubt as to what the future holds, either days, weeks, months or years, they are either not telling the truth or are deluded into believing that they are.
The military will rule indefinitely. Might military rule end with an election in September? Will there even be an election in September? Who will be allowed to run if there is? Will the military follow the commands of the Muslim Brotherhood should they be allowed to run and to win?
What has happened today with Mubarak’s resignation is that uncertainty has come to rule the region. If Mubarak in Egypt, then certainly the King of  Jordan and no few other leaders are in jeopardy. In a region ruled by dictators long friendly with us, America has now taken a stand against them. To state that this has potentially profound consequences for American foreign policy would be a dramatic understatement.
Today is a day of joy and freedom. Pharaoh is gone. Today is also a day of fear and trepidation. We hope that the new leader will be one who forgets not Joseph or at least is one who doesn’t want to drive his people into the sea.