Egypt’s Islamists driven into the arms of an old enemy
When he walked on to Tahrir Square to show himself to the revolutionaries, he was greeted with joy. Whatever qualms the crowds harboured in their hearts about being ruled by the Muslim Brotherhood’s political offshoot, the Freedom and Justice Party, there was a feeling that civilians would at last be running Egypt. …
According to Ahmed El Sharif, a political science lecturer at the American University of Cairo, the new draft constitution to be put to referendum on December 15 is the work of the military, the Muslim Brotherhood and their ultra-traditionalist allies, the Salafists. It allows the army to continue to be “a state within a state”.
This sounds surprising. It was Mr Morsi who forced the resignation of Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the military junta that took power after the departure of Hosni Mubarak. That did indeed happen, but the generals did not need much arm-twisting to go back to the barracks. They had discovered that they were poorly equipped to rule in a hectic postrevolutionary situation. Governing ate away at the army’s prestige.
The draft constitution shows that in return for going quietly, they have preserved many of their prerogatives.
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Lucifer?
tom daschle concerned on December 8, 2012 at 7:43 PM
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has annulled a decree he issued last month that hugely expanded his powers and sparked angry protests, officials say.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20655412
lester on December 8, 2012 at 7:44 PM
Where are all the trolls acknowledging Obama’s ownership of this debacle?
Galt2009 on December 8, 2012 at 7:44 PM
FTFY
lester on December 8, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Okay, Where are is lester acknowledging Obama’s ownership of this debacle?
[Since he was quick to take credit for some, anything going right on his watch]
Galt2009 on December 8, 2012 at 7:53 PM
Galt2009 on December 8, 2012 at 7:55 PM
Over to you lester – please explain to the class how his touting of his role in the Arab spring was perfectly acceptable to the BSM as a valid positive point for him…..
…but his silence in it’s going terrible wrong means he’s suddenly not responsible – For anything.
Galt2009 on December 8, 2012 at 8:06 PM
Just ignore the mo-lester – he has nothing intelligent to contribute.
honsy on December 8, 2012 at 8:08 PM
rogerb showing up with his vault of lester-isms ought to be a hoot.
Left Coast Right Mind on December 8, 2012 at 8:09 PM
Meanwhile in Syria: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/12/08/syrian-rebels-get-new-leadership-in-bid-to-unite-increase-coordination/
davidk on December 8, 2012 at 8:20 PM
When did Obama declare himself the leader of the Arab spring? The founder of the Arab spring? Did Obama even come up with the name? How and when did Obama take responsibility for the Arab spring and even if he wanted to with what magical powers could he have initiated or controlled several popular uprisings thousands of miles away?
All he did was two things:
- Tell Mubarak it’s time to go. That was obvious for Mubarak and the Egyptian army didn’t want him anyway. He was then removed by Egyptians and they got the democracy they asked for
- Join NATO’s efforts to help Libyans resist annihilation by a brutal dictator and terrorist sponsor for decades who overnight has turned into this conservative “hero” who apparently was the biggest supporter of US interests ever
lester on December 8, 2012 at 9:26 PM
Yet another Obomanation!
OldEnglish on December 8, 2012 at 9:26 PM
Obama was the one constantly making statements in speeches about how wonderful the Arab Spring was going to be. Who cares if he came up with the name, all that matters is he supported it and thought it would lead to something better which it obviously did not.
Anyone with any knowledge of the Muslim Brotherhood or the Islamic religion would never have supported something this idiotically naive. He has basically supported change that will condemn the female population of Egypt to something far worse than what they had before, not to mention the outright slaughter and abuse of all infidels, homosexuals, and anyone else who is not down with Islamic theocracy.
If Obama had any guts or honor he would begin preparing for civil war in Egypt by laying out plans to arm the secularist, women’s rights factions and infidel populations so at least they can fight for their own freedom and perhaps a separate nation state. Instead all I have seen Obama do is remain silent or even praise the Muslim Brotherhood.
Bush was an idiotic fool for trusting Muslim institutions in Iraq with a democracy, and Obama is a fool for doing the same in Egypt. Let this be a lesson for both political parties in relation to Syria.
William Eaton on December 8, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Ohh nice assortment of Strawmen – do you get them at a discount that way?
Read what I wrote lester – he took credit for the Arab Spring and now with it’s falling part he’s not taking responsibility for it – as always.
Galt2009 on December 8, 2012 at 10:43 PM