The wave of unrest that is washing across the Arab world as a reaction to a stupid, amateur American film about the Prophet Muhammad exposes much more than a Western government’s difficulty in handling the idiotic actions of its own citizens.

It also reveals the contours of a strategic landscape that has definitively changed in the wake of the Arab Spring.

If we ignore the gnawing question as to whether the attack on the American Consulate in Benghazi was planned – and therefore can be seen as a terrorist attack – the situation in Libya is far from America’s greatest problem, despite the tragic deaths.

The greatest problem is Egypt, where President Morsi’s down toned reaction reflects the Muslim Brotherhood’s attempt to balance between anger over the provocation inherent in the film, and Egypt’s national interest in continued close cooperation with the United States.

President Obama has already made it clear that he is much less happy with Egypt’s reaction, than that of Libya. It is a sign of deep frustration when Obama says publicly that Egypt is neither an American ally nor an enemy.

The American presidential election campaign makes it difficult for Obama to tone down his rhetoric if the Egyptian government blames the entire United States for the provocation of a small group, or if he is seen by the general public as being lukewarm in rejecting violent protests.

The dilemma is that President Morsi speaks with greater authority on the issue than perhaps any other Arab leader. As a democratically elected leader, the representative of the Muslim Brotherhood commands much more credibility than the willing batons and discrete secret police of his predecessor Hosni Mubarak.

Morsi can say what is necessary to moderate the indignation of many Muslims, and make it clear that infamous provocation such as the Muhammad film cannot and should not be contested through violence.

He is able to voice such sentiments if he dares – and if he sees it as serving the interests of his country and movement. That is why the finer nuances of the Egyptian president’s statements are listened to so intensely.

And that is why those of us who have supported Egypt’s hesitant steps towards increased democracy, hope to hear Egypt’s new leader make it abundantly clear that freedom to express one’s views carries with it a duty to do it in such a way that does not lead to violence and destruction.

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