Tag Archives: Muslim Brotherhood

October 17, 2016 · 5:44 pm

AND WHAT ABOUT EGYPT?

egypt

 

Blog 322 October 16, 2016

With the crazy, bizarre twists and turns of the current political campaign for the Presidency, other stories have been pushed out of the headlines. The American electorate wakes up every morning to a new revelation or accusation that leaves them dumbfounded. Ah! But you have more profound concerns that keep your interest percolating around the larger situation occurring across the world – and the Middle East in particular.

Congratulations!

While they have hardly even been on the back page, the Egyptians continue to dig out from under the revolt that threw out the Moslem Brotherhood and put Morsi in jail. A number of significant events have occurred that you should know about.

While not an alliance, the relationship between Egypt and Israel continues to improve and becomes increasingly significant. There now exists an unprecedented level of mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. Israel has agreed to allow Egypt to exceed their treaty agreement by bringing in larger number of troops and heavy weapons into the Sinai. The eruption of radical Muslim attacks from the Sinai has been a concern for both countries and increased military presence is an asset for both sides.

Both countries agree on the problem of Hamas as well as the unwelcome efforts of Turkey to assume a large role in the region. Israel and Egypt see Iran as attempting to assert more power at a high cost to the whole area. Both countries have now exchanged ambassadors. Egypt’s new position represents somewhat of a crack in any Arab alliance.  However tension continues to exist between the Muslim majority and the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt. Muslim clerics continue to harass the Coptics and attacks on churches is common. However, an important step was taken in August that would facilitate the acquisition of building permits for churches. Egypt’s new constitution states a guarantee of freedom of religious rituals for Christians. This is an important step forward for the Christian community.

The three Christian denominations in Egypt – Coptics, Anglicans, and Roman Catholics—recognize problems in the new Constitution, but continue to hope for improvements in the near future. Probably few will be achieved even with the backing of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

In 2011, there were an estimated 2,860 churches compared with 108,000 mosques. The numbers tell the tale. Egypt remains a Muslim country. Change is cumbersome because of a corrupt Egyptian bureaucracy. Eighty percent of the Muslims believe Sharia law must be the basis for an Egyptian constitution. Nevertheless, it is hoped that something approaching civil society may be emerging in Egypt.

Certainly, Egypt is changing and from a democratic point-of-view the country is on an uphill climb. The extreme fears created by the Muslim Brotherhood appear to have disappeared and a more equable society seems to be emerging.

Such change is good for Israel, the Middle East, and certainly the Egyptian people.

 

 

 

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June 2, 2015 · 7:11 pm

MAKING SENSE OUT OF ISIS Part 3

BLOG 255 June 1, 2015

As the song says, “June is busting out all over” and it sure is in the Middle East! Before we take another look at the future of ISIS (the Islamic State), a couple of recent decisions in Egypt deserve our attention. While this story has gone almost unreported in America, an Egyptian court sentenced Mohamed Morsi to death. The deposed president of Egypt as well as a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and the first freely elected president in the long history of Egypt now faces execution. Should this sentence be carried out, Morsi could become a martyr to Egyptian Muslims. Of course, the death sentence must be approved by the grand Mufti, the ultimate Sunni religious authority in Egypt. In addition, such convictions will be appealed through the court system. At the least, Morsi’s death sentence is certain evidence that Sisi’s government continues to clean house and not back away from their repression of the Muslim Brotherhood.

On the brighter side, American citizen Mohamed Soltan was finally released from and Egyptian  jail. Charged with supporting an Islamist protest, he spent two years denying the charges and participating in a hunger strike. His life imprisonment sentence was protested by Human Rights groups and President Obama. President al-Sisi released him and Soltan left the country. Because of solitary confinement and the hunger strike, his health is dire.

Back to ISIS. The recent capture of Ramadi and Palmyra has fired new enthusiasm for the Islamic State in the Muslim world. However, should ISIS prevail, can they endure and survive? The evidence of history suggests not.

The fiery intial success of such groups usually falls before internal rivalries, a quarantine imposed by other governments, or the direct intervention of outside powers such as the United States. Comparing the rise of ISIS to the emergence of the Soviet Union has some interesting similarities. While the Western powers supported the White Russians, the United States, France, and Britian were exhausted by World War I and of course, Germany was defeated. No outside forces descended on the Soviet Union. Today  nearly 75% of the American public believe the war in Iraq was a mistake and no political candidate (except Lindsey Graham)  is going to buckle that large a plebiscite. Some unanticipated event would be required to change the opinion of American intervention.

As long as ISIS remains at war with Iran and its puppets, it can expect to be funded by Sunni donors from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait. However, internal factors and behind the scenes maneuvering can easily and quickly change. The recent history of the Arab world running from Egypt’s President Nasser forward reflects the difficulties of maintaining such connections.

Moreover, movements that operate on apocalyptic ideals and vision have historically burned themselves out. The wild end-time ideas that fuel today’s jihadists will disparate with time and the emotional force behind the war will disappear. In other words, what scares the West today, may evaporate tomorrow.

The West does not have the intelligence sources  to know what struggles are currently going on inside ISIS. Past history suggests conflicts are already at work. Such a situation could be as destructive to ISIS as any other factor.

As was true of the Soviet Union, political evolution was necessary for future endurance. Can ISIS make such political adjustments and survive? Past history again suggests a “no” answer. The key to the future may lay inside ISIS.

Only time will tell.

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August 20, 2014 · 6:48 am

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK AT HAMAS AND TERRORISM

BLOG 214 August 18, 2014

The Western world has an important stake in understanding how terrorists operate and where they are going. The threats from ISIS to attack America only heightens the concern that citizens in the USA have about these murderous assault forces. It has been estimated that there are at least 30,000 jihadi fighters in Syria alone. The Al-Qaida movement continues to spawn clones and we need all the information possible on what comes next.

Matters have not gone well for Al-Qaida as of late and even they have rejected the ISIS movement as too violent. The so-called “Arab Spring” put a dent in their strategy that claimed only violence could bring real change. The quest from the populous for greater freedom also slowed their wagon. Today Bin Laden’s successor Ayman Zawahiri is no more than a shadow of the past. However, the Islamic terrorists in other areas have not slowed down.

In fact, the recent military advances of ISIS have even spread concern in Hezbollah, itself  a terrorist organization. Leaders of Hezbollah last week described the radical Isalmist movement as a “monster” that could threaten Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other gulf states. Hezbollah’s leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah claimed that only Hezbollah kept ISIS from invading Lebanon and pushing to the ocean.Of course Hezbollah has been fighting for Assad in Syria and is backed by Shi’ite Muslim Iran.  Recently, Saudi Arabia deployed 30,000 soliders to its borders with Iraq.  Saudi Arabia is a Sunni Muslim monarch and has been silently supporting the uprising in Syria. The differences between Sunnis and Shi’ites appear insignificant to the West, but they are major factors in the Middle East struggle as the continue killing each other.

Hamas is caught up in the tangle of “who-is-fighting-who” for “what.” Heavily financed by the Gulf Arab state of Qatar of only 2 million people, Hamas received funds through the Muslim Brotherhood movement that viewed Hamas as a Palestinian branch. Sunni oriented Qatar views Shi’ite Iran as its greatest advesary and wants to keep the Iranians off their turf. Consequently, Qatar wants to keep Hamas in the Sunni camp and away from Iran. In the midst of this confusion  now comes Turkey and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan  helping to finance Hamas.

Because Hamas voiced support for Assad’s Syria, they were forced to move out of Damascus and as a result Iran lowered their support for Hamas. The merry-go-round keeps spinning. Sound confusing? It is.

The fundamental issue remains religious differences and where best to pour those billions from oil production to keep the pot boiling.

Now Hama has its back to the wall in Gaza. The Muslim Brotherhood was smashed in Egypt and they are defeated in the Gaza Strip. (Regardless of what they claim.) Unless they agree to a negotiated settlement, the cease fire ended August 18. The PLO and other Arab groups want a settlement; Hamas operates with a suicide mentality. Because Israel won’t budge, Hama is about to get wacked again. Currently, Israel appears to have no strategy for how they will control the Gaza area: dominate  it, de-militarize it, turn it back to the PLO. In an usual move, the European Union condemned Hamas for using citizens as human shields. The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Italy harshly condemned pro-Palestinian demonstrators. Not good news for Hamas.

Where does Hamas go from here? They won’t quit, but they don’t have much to go on.

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May 7, 2014 · 6:19 pm

UPDATE ON MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE

The so-called Arab Spring continues to look like a Barren Winter. The extreme Muslim right-wing not only likes fighting, they apparently enjoy fighting each other. Unfortunately, banished swords that spread their religion across the Middle East and Africa have now been exchanged for bombs and AK-47 rifles. Not a pretty sight.

Not much as changed since the lid blew off the bottle except the conflicts between the jihadists continue to re-arrange the labels on the groups. Recently, al-Qaida central announced it was breaking ties with the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Within Syria, the civil war has agonizingly dragged on because of these tensions. There have been several violent confrontations between ISIS fighters and the Al-Nustra front. While they are supposed to be battling Assad, they appear to be spending more time killing each other. As a result, Assad has gained the upper hand and is now in control of the warfare. America has backed away from intervention because arming the opponents of Assad could turn out to be worst than the dictator. The rebels who showed up to finish the rebellion are finishing off each other.

This is an old story in the Arab world. Some scholars have suggested that the nature of the Arabic language creates a propensity for aggression. Certainly, the last several decades have only added new chapters to the story of right-wing Muslim violence.

In Egypt, the government’s violent response to the Muslim Brotherhood continues. A few weeks ago, a judge sentenced the Brotherhood’s spiritual leader and 682 other people to death. The military-backed  government maintains its massive crackdown against all supporters of Mohammed Morsi, calling their actions “war against terrorism” which is a thinly veiled propaganda cover justifying their own violence. Hopefully, an appeal will save some of these lives. However, this is another example of using violence to justify violence.

These are sad times for the Brotherhood. The victory of Morsi has turned into a bitter defeat to the world-wide organization and its desire to restore the Caliphate. In many Arab countries, they now face bitter opposition. The movement doesn’t give up easily, but barring an unexpected reversal of political events, it is dead in Egypt.

However, a group calling itself Islamic Jihad has sprung up and is now challenging Hamas for control of Gaza. Though small, they are still doing what grabs public attention. They claim to be protecting the Palestinian people from incursions from Israel. Last month in an hour they fired more than a hundred rockets into Israel. Backed by funds from Iran, they are free of any governing group and can fly by night, creating noises making them sound bigger than they are. They are another expression of the preoccupation with violence.

While all the shooting continues, Secretary of State John Kerry continues to press the PLO and Israel to continue their negotiations. Washington will spread blame on both sides to foster continuing discussions. What the State Department never seems to recognize is that the PLO and the Arab League have one fundamental objective: to annihilate Israel. There’s that old propensity for violence again. It remains difficult to talk to the barrel of a rifle.

That cold winter wind just keeps on blowing.

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April 21, 2014 · 8:14 pm

AND WHAT HAPPENED TO EGYPT?

I’m never sure why the media does or does not cover important events occurring around the globe. The best that I can tell is that when there are no riots, large-scale explosions, or military interventions, it all news slips behind the local sports page or a report on how to make a pecan pie. As of late, Egypt ended up behind the pies.

However, the political situation continues to boil in the land of pyramids. If you haven’t kept up with the latest shifts, here’s the current setting. General Abdel al-Sisi resigned the military and became a citizen. As was predicted on this blog some months ago, Sisi is now making a bid for the presidency. Military and security agencies continue to control the country and have virtually wiped out the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). The MB were declared a terrorist organization with over 500 members sentenced to death. Sisi also brought harsh reprisals on Hamas, a close ally of the MB. How these dramatic changes will play out is the new question of the day.

The past three years of revolution would seem to suggest that Egyptians do not want a return to Mubark’s style of an authoritarian regime. (the reason why Sisi resigned his position with the military) Neither do they want former president Mori’s backdoor approach to creating a Muslim state (like Iran) and putting all of his old cronies in office. However, after Sisi was promoted to Field Marshall, he demonstrated that he rules with an iron fist. Military troops hit hard any protests against his rule. The years of political and social unrest appear to have created wide-spread support for Abdel Sisi because citizens recognize that he won’t tolerate any nonsense (unfortunately, or opposition).

Political relationships have radically changed. Sisi pushed away from Turkey, but grew significantly closer to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Because of the criticisms from Washington and delays in recognizing the new government, Sisi made a trip to Moscow looking into the Russians supplying arms. This action was taken in the face of the USA’s continued supply of foreign aid. Surprisingly, Egypt improved better relationships with Israel. The Morsi regime had hinted at cancellation of the peace treaty with Israel which would have been a disaster for Egypt. Sisi’s new doctrine and the pressure placed on Hamas was welcomed with joy in Israel. Both Egypt and Israel renewed their efforts to shut down the radical jihadists creating problems for both countries in the Sinai peninsula. These efforts have proved significant.

Undoubtedly, Sisi will win by a landslide in the upcoming election. Egypt desperately needs to end the violence and instability that has wrecked the country and sent tourism to the bottom. However, Sisi’s heavy-handedness has raised fears that he may turn into a despotic pharaoh with a return to a Mubarkic style of governing. No small issue!

The world will be observing what follows the predictable election and the Egyptians have already demonstrated a willingness to react violently to disappointments. Let’s hope Abdel Sisi proves to be a good guy this time.

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December 5, 2013 · 5:55 pm

THE ON-GOING STRUGGLE: EGYPT-TURKEY-SYRIA

            In a recent blog, I described the new unfolding situation as Turkey switches allegiances from Israel to Iran. While virtually not reported in America, the situation has serious implications as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan moves in the direction of Islamic nationalism. Turkey’s recent exposure of Mossad agents working in Iran amounted to the most egregious violations of trust in history. It is still not clear what has become of the Israeli agents. What is clear is that Erdogan is aiming at a resurrection of the Ottoman Empire.

            Simply lay a map of the Middle East on the table and look at what an alliance of Turkey, Syria, and Iran would mean. The implications are obvious. Saudi Arabia and Israel would be cut off and isolated. Sunni oriented Saudi Arabia would be the hostile focus of Shiite led Iran and the tensions would become frightening. Turkey is now moving in that direction.

Turkey’s Prime Minister had been a major supporter of Egypt’s President Morsi before his ouster and arrest. When the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood followed, Erdogan became one of the most vocal critics, signaling his fundamental ties to the Brotherhood and a Muslim state. His statements have now led to a complete shift in Egyptian foreign policy.

Egypt has just downgraded its diplomatic relationship with Turkey. In addition, the Egyptians expelled the Turkish ambassador because of the criticisms of the Erdogan administration. Moreover, the Egyptians have permanently withdrawn their ambassador from Turkey. Turkey in turn declared the ambassador to be “persons no grata” meaning “don’t come back.”

The Egyptian military that now controls the country has been in the process of reversing many of Morsi’s policies. The former Prime Minister is scheduled to go on trial on murder charges. The United States has now recognized who is in control and switched from its earlier critical statements about the take-over. As of late, Secretary of State John Kerry has been flattering Egypt’s interim leaders as well as denigrating the Muslim Brotherhood.  Kerry got the picture that Erdogan missed.

What’s this all about? Fundamentally, Turkey has been reaching for a Muslim alliance with governments like Libya, Syria, Iran and Egypt. These attempts took a step backward in Egypt. Moreover, the ongoing chaos in Libya has been another defeat as well as the Muslim Brotherhood being crushed. These reversals have forced Turkey to retreat to a focus on economic interests rather than political alliances. But don’t hold your breath. Turkey’s intentions have now been revealed. The so-called Arab Spring has apparently spurned another malfunction.

Hopefully, the United States State Department is paying attention. Western interests much recognize that Turkey can no longer be numbered among “the good guys.”

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October 16, 2013 · 5:42 pm

FLOUNDERING IN THE MIDDLE EAST

            As stated in an earlier blog, the Obama Administration has neither a strategy nor a doctrine for handling the Middle East. Rather, what we constantly see are random responses to particular situations. Yes, Secretary of State John Kerry got Israel and the Palestinians to the bargaining table, but neither wanted to come and in the end the talks may turn out to be symbolic, not substantive. The zigzags from one position to the other have left the world wondering if the USA has any backbone.

Israelis remain skeptical of any change in the actual position that Iran maintains. The Israeli’s will believe something new is afoot when the Iranian public can actually open Facebook or Twitter. About the only change they see is Rouhani’s admission that the Holocaust happened.

Egypt remains a sticking point after the Obama administration vacillated over whether the overthrow of President Morsi was a coup d’etat or just the boys on the street flexing their muscles. The State Department kept wavering over the issue of cancelling funding of the Egyptian military. The Saudis, Kuwait, and the Emirates stepped in and picked up the check. Now it appears the USA is backing away from funding. The USA is currently seen as having no insight into how the Middle East functions and having no hesitation in deserting its closest allies when they are needed the most.

Israel’s message to Washington is fundamental. Keep Egypt from failing!

No one underestimates the problems in Egypt. Their first attempts at democracy have been a failure. Both the election and the overthrow of Morsi was a disaster. How could Washington have wavered on the coup d’etat issues? Of course, the military took over the country. But Israel’s point remains basic. There must be a functioning state in Egypt. Then deal with the more genteel questions of who did what to whom. If Egypt falls into anarchy, they will be exploited by local and global jihad forces. Should that happen, the consequences for Israel and the Middle East will be highly destructive.

Probably, the current smashing of the Muslim Brotherhood signals the end of a political Islam. Instead, all citizens will have the right to freedom and civil rights.

However, some Middle East leaders are calling for a Marshall Plan for Egypt to help stabilize the country and insure a positive future. Tourism is now virtually gone and the country’s industries are in trouble. They definitely need outside help.

Can Washington help? The American capital can’t even keep its parks and monuments open. Veterans are protesting in mass over how they have been treated. The world shakes its head in consternation. It appears Obama and Congress need the Marshall Plan.

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August 21, 2013 · 6:08 pm

KEEPING OUR NOSE OUT OF IT

            The Sunday, August 18, edition of The New York Times detailed the United States’s attempts to divert the military action of the interim Egyptian government from becoming violent. Obviously, these diplomatic attempts totally failed. The death toil is now approaching 1,000.

            However, the turn of events is instructive. Republican senators Lindsey Graham and John McCain came at the request of President Obama. (Although McCain tried to make it  sound like it was basically his idea) When pressing for a deal with the interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi, they were brushed off. After a similar unsuccessful meeting with General Sisi, they were again shown the door and left perceiving a violent showdown was looming.

In other words, the Egyptians told the senators to keep their noses out of Egypts business.

The attack on the Moslem Brotherhood pushed President Obama into a corner and in a no-win situation. Israelis, Saudis and Arab allies are lobbying him not to press the generals as a more insidious Moslem threat could result if the generals fail. On the other hand, both liberal and conservative American politicians are together urging a more forceful position. In between these two pressure groups is the fact that Egypt has been a major ally for 35 years and American financial support for Egypt is vital to the security of Israel. No matter how he turns, Obama will be in a hard place.

If America withdraws its financial support from Egypt, the USA will damage its own relationship with an important ally. Whether we like their actions or not, punishing Egypt will not stop the military crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood. The best solution?

Keep our nose out of their business.

What the current  actual head of the government, General Sisi told the Washington administration was that Egypt could not negotiate with the Brotherhood. The radicals would rather die that retreat. The last week has proven that they would turn their followers into canon fodder before they would face the fact they were defeated. Their suicidal resistance demonstrated Sisi’s point.

Americans fundamentally don’t understand this form of radical religious reasoning. Nevertheless, this extreme anarchist thinking has plunged Egypt into deadly turmoil. General Sisi and the military understand the the Brotherhood doesn’t negoiate or keep its promises. For this reason, they will no longer tolerate their defiance.

And it is why they are telling us to keep our nose out of their business.

Morsi promised to make a Coptic Christian and a woman a vice-president. This did not happen. Further, the Brotherhood is a secret organization with no public list of membership.  They have always practiced violence. For example, they assassinated President Anwat Sadat. Even Al Zawarhiri, Bin Laden’s successor, was part of the Brotherhood. During the past week 100 policemen have been killed.

How would the USA work with the Republican Party if they were discovered to have assassinated John Kennedy? Sure, such a suggestion sounds preposterous, but that if what the Egypt government is faced with today should they not crackdown on the Brotherhood. Because the American government has a hard time understanding these facts is one more reason for America to back off.

And keep our nose out of their business.

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July 31, 2013 · 8:37 pm

EGYPT EXPLODES AGAIN

            You’ve seen the headlines. Riots In Cairo and Alexandria are again the front page story across the world. The Muslim Brotherhood gathered up an army of people and came marching toward The Army. The military shot to kill and scores of the demonstrates died in the streets the weekend of July 26-28. The Brotherhood had an army of screaming people; the army had the guns. Bullets won a decisive victory.

            In an earlier blog, I indicated this scene was a distinct possibility. Muslim fundamentalist have a blind fanaticism that results in not caring if they are killed. After all, martyrdom is a sure-fire ticket to heaven and all the goodies the leaders at the mosques promised. Either way, the local boys figure they can’t lose.

At this moment, the Brotherhood is pitching itself as the unfortunate victim of military abuse and takeover. Never mind the truckload of mistakes they made during the past year.  The only drum they are beating is the one marked “the election was stolen.” Such short-sightedness has been a hallmark of the Brotherhood for decades. They believe their religious perspective is all that counts.

Back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, voices of reform were slowly pushed out the back door of the organization. These moderates recognized that the leadership’s confrontational mind-set and suspicion of outsiders were not positive. Disdain for the rights of women and Christians would keep them from obtaining a secure position in the political system. The old guard won this internal scrabble and ultimately Morsi came from of this negative viewpoint. When he was elected, Morsi did nothing to protect the rights of Christians and Shiite Muslims. Blatant gender discrimination continued and left the country’s prejudicial divorce and inheritance laws untouched. It quickly became obvious Morsi was using democratic authority for nondemocractic purposes. The military then said, “we’ve had enough!”

The quashing of demonstrators this past weekend indicated that the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood wasn’t going to stop. Soldiers were shooting at the head and chest. One pop under were those circumstances and its all over. At the same time, the govrnment is taking the first legal steps against Morsi. He is charged with conspiring with militant Palestinians in a prison break that freed him along with thirty others. He will now be charged with murder and kidnaping. Right, wrong, or indifferent, the government intends to put him out of business.

General Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi has now emerged as Egypt’s de facto leader. With millions rallying behind him, Sisi is calling the Brotherhood “terrorist” and claims a popular right to stop them. Now that 200 have been killed in the streets, all hopes are fading for any compromise between Sisi and the fundamentalist. The Brotherhood is being characterized as “those who preach and incite violence.”

The violence and deaths caused by this weekend’s explosive confrontations demonstrate that the Brotherhood has no where to go. They do not have an armed militia and there only options will lead to annhilation if they continue to press the government.

Is there any hope in this situation? Not if you’re a Brotherhood member.

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March 13, 2013 · 8:47 am

THE POWER OF NEGATIVE THINKING IN EGYPT

Retired basketball coach Bobby Knight recently came out with a book entitled The Power of Negative Thinking. In Sunday’s New York Times, Knight confirmed he is not one of those eternally positive thinkers. He said, “the worst word in the English language is ‘hope’.” Well, most of us don’t remember Bobby for getting any nice guy awards, but he certainly would be right for an analysis of the situation in Egyptian.

Hope is fading fast along the Nile.

As reported in an earlier blog, the latest crisis erupted over a soccer game when the ultras (Cairo’s hard-core violent soccer fans) got into brawls with Alexandria’s fans and people were killed. The court ruled 21 people should be executed for the deaths. Riots followed across the country and still continue.

Obviously, there’s more going on here that sport enthusiasm gone awry. The real issue is the ability of the new president and the Muslim Brotherhood to control the country. Barely winning in the first democratic election in the vast history of Egypt, a short passage of time has revealed they do not seem to have the power to control the country which continues to slide toward economic ruin and more demonstrations in the streets. To date four policemen has been killed and 40 civilians died in the rioting.  President Mudhammed Morsi appears to be falling in a tail-spin with no idea how to stop the mobs short of calling out the military.

And that’s the BIG ISSUE.

The police have completely lost control and many are now reported hiding in their stations. People are now discussing the possibility of a military coup as the best answer to restore order. While there is no threat of an immediate coup, many are still saying that military intervention might be the only way to prevent a collapse of public security. In Port Said, a form of local military control has already taken place. Banners around the city read, “Port Said is in the protection of the military.” People don’t like the military, but it was better than what they currently have.

While there is in incongruity in calling for a return of the military only months after the general’s were pushed out, the situation reflects how seriously control has deteriorated.

The bottom line is that the results of the first election have not produced the result that many had hoped for. Egypt is caught in a vice between contemporary modern people and primitive Muslim fundamentalists who want to impose religious law on the entire nation. Murbarak held the nation together with the army and the exercise of a big stick policy. Dictators function with such cruel means. Now that those tactics have been exposed, the country is at loose ends to stop disruptive turmoil.

Americans often forget that centuries of political debate and reaction stood behind the emergence of democracy in this country. It did not happen overnight and it isn’t happening in the daylight in Egypt.

Hope is indeed fading fast.

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