From a Shift in Perspective to Regime Change

Egyptian demonstrators tear down a poster of President Hosni Mubarak in Alexandria on Jan. 25.

Unprecedented protests in Egypt are calling for an end to Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule - and they are doing so with gusto! Inspired by the recent events in Tunisia, Egyptians who normally steer clear of political involvement suddenly are pouring into the street:

One woman in her mid-50s, who declined to give her name, said she had never before gotten involved in politics. But today she came out with her two teenage sons "to show them that it's possible to demonstrate peacefully for change."

It is clear that a psychological shift has occurred. But will it result in regime change?

No one is under any illusions that the Egyptian regime - diplomatically and militarily supported by the US - will crumble soon or easily, if at all. But no one is seeing it as impossible any more. Thank you Tunisia.