A sad but ultimately accurate assessment of the situation in Egypt today but what is the solution? The strength and success of the Arab Spring was due to the engagement of the middle class and the secularization of the demonstrations.

I never had confidence that the military would simply steer events they have always been in power in Egypt since the 1952 coup d’état by the Free Officers Movement led by Mohammed Naguib Egypt’s first president. The following year, after falling out with Gamal Abdul Nasser, he was replaced by Nasser who immediately banned all political parties.

On Nasser’s death in 1970 Anwar Al Sadat a founding member of the Free Officer Movement, Vice President and close confidant of Nasser succeeded him.

Hosni Mubarak was a career officer in the Egyptian Air Force where he reached to the ultimate rank of Air Chief Marshal and also served as Vice President to Sadat. Military control has been evident since Egypt’s independence.

The military were highly influential under Hosni Mubarak and their influence riddled any government that ruled Egypt. The military also had close relations with the American administration of the day separate to that of President of Egypt and close to Israel. It was surprising indeed that the military would support the Arab Spring and allow a transition from military directed governance to free civilian elections something that neither America nor Israel desired.

The military decided to sacrifice Mubarak and in the transition to democracy and the penning of a new constitution they bought the time they needed; the middle class in attempting to form a viable coalition proved to be deeply fragmented politically. The time bought also allowed the Muslim Brotherhood sufficient time to coalesce and enunciate their policy which made clear that Islam would play a prominent role in governance, an anathema to the Egyptian military, America, Saudi Arabia and Israel (the three major foreign powers behind the scene).

Where to now for Egypt and its brave rebels? I think one would find the answer with America, Saudi Arabia and Israel more than in Egypt.

Ullis the solution is to kick out the Western parasites and nationalise their banking system.They do not have to go into debt to grow.

Ulis

You've produced an excellent analysis reflecting the complexity of Egypt's situation.

One attitude ideologues take note.

Regards

Pete