It happened all of a sudden: Arab nations in chaos, dictators’ power in question, hope for a new beginning …

It all began in Tunisia. After years of squandering the rights of its people and censoring news agencies, Tunisians overcame and overthrew a kleptocracy that plagued their lives for many decades.

This was something relatively new as protests were usually suppressed quickly and business went on as usual.

But with the recent decline in economic conditions, the Tunisian people no longer could stand a high rate of poverty as their rulers lived a life of luxury.

The people just needed a spark. And it came as an unemployed college graduate was hassled by local police for selling fruit illegally or, to put it another way, without a permit.

The man could not make a living. So he tried to commit suicide. And as he lit himself on fire, he became a symbol and catalyst for the biggest revolt in a decade.

No big deal though. It’s just a small country we’ve never heard of. Right?

Wrong. The uprising sparked spontaneous demonstrations all across North Africa and the Middle East.

Arab people, disgusted with the corrupt dictatorships and constant oppression by state officials, jumped at the chance for something new.

Egypt is presently flooding the wire as its people are calling for the removal of their president, Hosni Mubarak.

A long time ally of the U.S., Mubarak has managed to stay in power for around 30 years — banning all other political parties was a great help. And that is where the U.S. comes in. Our government needs to make a choice in regard to Egypt.

On one hand, there is democracy — and possibly the first step to peace in the Middle East — and on the other, there is a prosperous U.S. economy. The great thing about this situation is that we possibly could “have our cake and eat it too,” depending on how we play this.

The U.S. is always looking out for itself, like any other country would. And we need petroleum. America is addicted to the natural resource.

As we currently import one-fifth of our oil from Arab countries, we want to eliminate any X factors in pricing by influencing these nations to be friendly with us. The best way to accomplish this outlandish scheme is to align with Egypt.

Egypt is the largest, most influential and most educated Arab country. Any activity in the country can ripple through the region like a “domino effect.”

Every moment the Egyptian people protest, the more likely other Arab countries will follow their lead.

Just yesterday, Jordan’s president called for massive reform.

Presently every Arab country oppresses their population beyond the extent of a mild irritation.

The occupants of these countries would be overjoyed to throw out their rulers, unleash the social bonds cast down upon them and live the way human beings were meant to live.

So when Arabs look upon Egypt and the events that are transpiring there, they cannot help but to log onto Facebook — if it is not already blocked — and organize the next million man march.

That’s how Egypt did it, and they’ve been continuously protesting since last week.

But these actions have consequences. There is now tremendous uncertainty in political as well as economic affairs. And uncertainty is not good.

As we speak, a barrel of oil sells for over $90 — over a $10 increase over the last week. The U.S. imports around five million barrels a day. Suddenly, a 10 dollar increase is looking to be a big fluctuation.

As it stands, our economy is recovering at a slow pace. Imagine the hit it will take with each rise in oil prices.

We may be looking at controlled blackouts across the country or worse — emphasis on the “worse”.

So, it all comes down to this. Do we promote the domestic principles by which we live by? Or do we survive? Or is there another way?

America is definitely at a fork in the road. And while I cannot offer any real solution, I am sure our generation will come up with something.