As we get ready to celebrate America’s 237th Independence Day, we watch with interest as Egypt, the world’s oldest continuously existing nation, struggles to sustain its young democracy.

Events about to unfold there are of particular interest since the United States gives $1.3 billion a year in aid to the Egyptian government, honoring a pledge to support that country’s commitment to the democratic process — even though the government they’ve elected falls short of American expectations.

Massive protests are planned for Sunday, the one-year anniversary of Muhammed Morsi’s inauguration as Egypt’s first elected president. Opponents of Morsi claim his Muslim Brotherhood and its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, control Egyptian government for the organization’s benefit and at the expense of liberals, secularists, Christians, women and other minorities. They say a new constitution, pushed through a referendum late last year with Islamist support, is flawed and biased in favor of the Muslim Brotherhood’s pro-Sunni Islamic agenda.

Meanwhile, Morsi’s backers accuse their foes of stirring up trouble hoping to draw the military into a coup d’etat that would topple the Morsi regime.

Both factions blame each other for a number of ills including a fuel shortage, widespread unemployment and rising inflation.

News reports note rising tensions. The military has placed reinforcements of troops and armor outside Cairo and other cities. Many of Cairo’s 18 million residents reportedly are stockpiling essential goods in anticipation of a general shutdown of stores and services during the protests. Merchants closed their shops because they fear looting if riots break out, some said, while many also plan on joining the protest.

The military will be a key player to watch. Troops in 2011 defended protesters during the 18-day revolt that brought down Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubararak. They have pledged to protect the protesters again this time.

On the eve of our celebration of American independence, the drama in Egypt that’s about to unfold should serve as a reminder of how remarkably difficult it can be to form a new democracy where none previously existed. That’s even more relevant in a volatile region like the Middle East.