Egypt and Arab States circle toilet bowl

[Griff]

State television also announced the arrest of an unspecified number of members of the Muslim Brotherhood, the outlawed Islamist group long considered the largest and best organized political group in Egypt, for “acts of theft and terrorism.”

It was unclear, however, what role the Brotherhood played in the protests or might play if Mr. Mubarak were toppled. There have been many signs of Brotherhood members marching and chanting in the crowds. But the throngs —mostly spontaneous — were so large that the Brotherhood’s members seemed far from dominant. Questions about the Brotherhood elicited shouting matches among protesters, with some embracing it and others against it.

Nascent democracy or nutjob Islamist state. My money is on the nutjobs. Good thing we don't support any other totalitarian regimes.

[Stormieweather]

And STATE television is going to tell you the full, honest truth...right?

[Griff]

Ha! The government's focus on the brotherhood is probably for Western consumption but they do exist as an organized group. We are still a long way from power sharing arguments...

[tw]

Sadat had foresight. He planned for his replacements. When he was assassinated, the replacements stepped right in.

Mubarak has no such plans. He apparently will do anything to stay in power as if (he apparently believes) that if good for Egypt. His health is said to be so bad that he has been staying in vacation towns outside Cairo trying to get healthy - for at least a year.

Worse, below Mubarak is a power vacuum. Therefore an outsider (ElBaradei, the Nobel prize winner) living in Vienna Austria and not from the Army may be an only viable replacement.

Since Nasser, every leader has come from the Army. There is, apparently, no one with sufficient 'leadership' from those ranks to replace Mubarak. That power vacuum is probably the most serious long term problem.

If these sparks ignite more tinder, then Saudi Arabia might be next. Even the Economist, like so many others, got it very wrong this time.

Many of the region’s countries look, on the surface, to be far more fragile than Tunisia, with equal volumes of anger and far deeper social woes. But different factors serve to bolster even unpopular governments. In Syria the ever-present danger of war with Israel mutes dissent. The Egyptian state, despite its appalling record in running other things, wields a large force of riot police that is well equipped, highly trained and very experienced, and so less likely to provoke outrage by excessive violence. Egypt also has a relatively free press. This not only gives healthy air to protest, but acts as the sort of early-warning system that Mr Ben Ali, due to his own repressive tactics, sorely lacked.

Even Kaddafi of Libya may be concerned. Two uprisings almost without any warning. Apparently every major world government never saw it coming.

[casimendocina]

Originally Posted by Stormieweather

And STATE television is going to tell you the full, honest truth...right?

Have been watching Al Jazeera from where I am. Last night their cameramen had had their equipment impounded so while they talked about what was happening, they had Egyptian state television on loop with footage of the "new government" being inducted.

[Griff]

There is a short article in Times Topics on the Muslim Brotherhood. They appear to have positioned themselves very well to remain major players.


On January 30, the Brotherhood joined the secular opposition in banding together around a Mohamed ElBaradei, a prominent and secular government critic, to negotiate on behalf of the forces seeking the fall of Mr. Mubarak.

The United States and Mr. Mubarak had long sought to reduce the power of the Brotherhood. But by disbanding the credible secular opposition parties or driving them underground, the Egyptian government had made the Brotherhood seem the group most likely to gain power in a post-Mubarak era.

[Undertoad]

Wheeeeee here goes Jordan

[wolf]

Next up ... Meeting on the Plains of Meggido, world ends, no film at 11.

[Griff]

I guess we're reading the right novels anyway.

[Stormieweather]

Originally Posted by casimendocina

Have been watching Al Jazeera from where I am. Last night their cameramen had had their equipment impounded so while they talked about what was happening, they had Egyptian state television on loop with footage of the "new government" being inducted.

I've been watching Al Jazeera live also. Additionally, following #eqypt hashtag on twitter. Great way to keep abreast of current events from those who are actually THERE and observing. Not just spouting the "party" line....

Having spent years in the Middle East, I know all too well how things get twisted (by the authorities there as well as here in the US).

[Griff]

Okay, let's review.

[Pete Zicato]

Fox News: We're rich because we don't spend money on maps and shit.

[wolf]

Perhaps they've outsourced to India as a cost containment measure and in Hindi the translation for "Iraq" is "Egypt?"

[BigV]

Pete: No. very funny, but no.
wolf: also no.

real reason: It just doesn't matter. It was a simple mistake, but an easy one, since they've been stuck with that map like, forever At least they got the name right.

Ok, let's review. Who here watches Fox News for the news? A show of hands?

Thought so.

[Undertoad]

I don't currently but I used to.