Worldview: How far the U.S., and democracy, have fallen in Egypt

Nothing better illustrates America's sliding status in today's Arab world than Egypt's decision to try 16 Americans who work for pro-democracy groups there.

On the surface, the strange story of this "criminal" case looks far less important than the Syrian government's repression of its people. But this crisis has the potential to wreck U.S. relations with Egypt, a country that is still considered a key ally. And these charges graphically illustrate the decline of U.S. leverage in the new Middle East.

Here are the facts: On Monday, Egypt's military-led government brought charges against the Americans and 24 others - including 14 Egyptians, other Arabs, Germans, and Serbs. Their crime: They worked in Cairo for American and local organizations that promote democracy and receive U.S. funding.

Most of the Americans are no longer in the country. Three - including Sam LaHood, son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood - have taken refuge in the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.

However, this case involves far more than the fate of a few Americans. It demonstrates the Egyptian military's fear of democracy at home. And it forecasts the rocky road ahead for the Egyptian relationship with the United States.

Two of the four U.S. organizations whose employees were charged were the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and the International Republican Institute (IRI). They are affiliated with the Democratic and Republican Parties, and receive congressional funding to teach the nuts and bolts of political campaigns to Egyptians from any party; this includes training on how to monitor elections and teach voter awareness. Yet these groups were accused of illegally using foreign funds to foment unrest.

The draconian law under which they were charged dates back to the Mubarak era, and requires all nongovernmental organizations to register with the government. But the law made such registration virtually impossible. So, gutsy Egyptian organizations such as the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession had to operate in the shadows. (This is one of the local groups just charged - by a judiciary still under the military's thumb.)