This could get really blissfully great, or really violently ugly.
Let's hope the Army is more of the people than the dictator. Some folks in the know seem to think it may be.
I wonder if the Red dictators in China are letting the scenes in Egypt pass through the great firewall. Anyone heard?
Al Jazeera reported that China has blocked the word "Egypt" in all internet searches. I have been getting my Egypt news from Al Jazeera (english.aljazeera.net/watch_now) and www.debka.com. The revolution in Egypt is bittersweet: one is deeply moved to support the people of Egypt in demanding their rights, however extremist groups gain power - including Hamas - which has swiftly and quietly taken over territories in Gaza and Suez that were once controlled by the Egyptian army. For many revolutionaries (i.e. the Muslim Brotherhood), this is not just about securing their rights, it's about eventually destroying alliance with the West. Mind you, I empathize...I just long for the moderate majority, ours and theirs, to find a way to peace.
ReplyDeleteThese are dangerous times. It's tempting to get all dewey eyed about a popular Arab uprising for freedom and democracy. But let's not forgot that it was a popular Arab uprising that brought us the Iranian Revolution. The Islamic fundamentalists there have created enormous instability for decades. Now they are busily trying to build nukes.
ReplyDeleteImagine if Egypt becomes an Islamic theocracy—80 million strong—right next door to Israel. $300 a barrel oil anyone?
"But let's not forgot that it was a popular Arab uprising that brought us the Iranian Revolution."
ReplyDeleteSo true - and against a Shah we installed, too.
"one is deeply moved to support the people of Egypt in demanding their rights, however extremist groups gain power - including Hamas - which has swiftly and quietly taken over territories in Gaza and Suez that were once controlled by the Egyptian army. For many revolutionaries (i.e. the Muslim Brotherhood), this is not just about securing their rights, it's about eventually destroying alliance with the West."
That's really interesting. That's not an angle that's been covered at all as far as I can see. But for El Baradei saying, "Muslim Brotherhood? Don't worry about it." That's like worrying about the Evangelical Christians in the USA."
Which needless to say didn't make me feel any more sanguine.
I'd love to know what the average Egyptian on the street thinks of America - whether they like us for supporting Egypt or hate us for supporting Mubarak. Or probably some very nuanced position in between, depending on who you are.
ReplyDeleteInteresting article on Mubarak appointed VP Suleiman:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/01/30-2