January 31, 2011
— DrewM Looks like the guys with the guns (and public support) have picked a side and Hosni isn't going to be happy.
The army said on Monday it would not use force against Egyptians staging protests demanding President Hosni Mubarak step down, a statement said.It said "freedom of expression" was guaranteed to all citizens using peaceful means.
It was the first such explicit confirmation by the army that it would not fire at demonstrators who have taken to the streets of Egypt since last week to try to force Mubarak to quit.
"The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people," the army statement said.
"Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody."
And that folks is that. It's simply a question of when and how but there is no way Mubarak or any of his clique can hang on.
Of course the real question is...who and what comes next?
More: Speaking of what comes next...Slu sends along this story on the Muslim Brotherhood.
They weren't the instigators of the protesters but even though they are an outlawed organization, they are probably the best organized group. When it comes to revolutions, it isn't always those who start them or even gain temporary control who wind up on top when the music stops.
Oh and why is the Army statement so big? Protesters are calling for a million strong march in Cairo. The military saying not only won't they shoot protesters but will protect them is a pretty big green light for people who may have been reluctant to go out and march.
Posted by: DrewM at
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Posted by: nevergiveup at January 31, 2011 10:26 AM (0GFWk)
There was an Egyptian American (as in: originally from Egypt and still visits every year or two) on the radio this morning pointing out that the Muslim Brotherhood only has about 20 - 30% support in Egypt right now. If this moves fast, they have less chance to set roots and take over when Mubarak leaves. The longer this draws out, the better their chance of taking over.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:26 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Olliander at January 31, 2011 10:26 AM (6uiF7)
Posted by: Jean at January 31, 2011 10:29 AM (Ja6pC)
Posted by: Follower of Cthulhu at January 31, 2011 10:29 AM (F/4zf)
You know who will jump in to claim credit? So do I. Cairo Speech and all ...
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:29 AM (Wqfrr)
Posted by: t-bird at January 31, 2011 10:29 AM (FcR7P)
Posted by: Waterhouse at January 31, 2011 10:30 AM (3YYhR)
Posted by: wolverine at January 31, 2011 10:30 AM (GvYeG)
OT - Unrest in North Africa and Middle East may spread to Syria
If Bashir al-Assad is anything like his father, he won't allow this to happen.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 31, 2011 10:30 AM (9hSKh)
Posted by: James DelGado at January 31, 2011 10:32 AM (By4wu)
Posted by: Sheriff Joe, sooooper genius at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (RD7QR)
Posted by: ObamaSuxDonkeyBalls at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (w74G6)
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (p302b)
Referring to the Army's notice they won't be firing on civilians? It's possible. He's been scrambling the last couple of days to accede to certain demands to see if he can diffuse the situation and stay in power.
Of course, at this point, it's that "stay in power" part that is the sticking point- apparently something on the order of 80 % or so of Egyptians want him gone. (Again, based on a radio interview with a local who has very close ties with the area).
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (8y9MW)
In the end, there will be only chaos.
The Israelis have already deployed troops to the Sinai.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 31, 2011 10:33 AM (9hSKh)
I've been seeing more and more pictures of Mubarak with Stars of David superimposed over his face.
'Death to Israel' being chanted in the streets...
Posted by: garrett at January 31, 2011 10:34 AM (iWZN8)
If Bashir al-Assad is anything like his father, he won't allow this to happen.
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 31, 2011 02:30 PM (9hSKh)
Ain't that the truth. Being part of a minority sect in Syria, al-Assad cannot afford to let matters devolve tothe level that they did in Egypt.
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:34 AM (Wqfrr)
Posted by: nevergiveup at January 31, 2011 10:34 AM (0GFWk)
Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 31, 2011 10:35 AM (TpXEI)
Honestly, except for during actual rioting, there aren't that many additional problems for Americans in Egypt. They don't mind us so much (I don't think I've heard of any USA Flags being burned, for instance), so I put this down to "excess of caution."
Which is a good thing, but I don't think it means we think our Embassy will need to be evacuated at a moment's notice.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:35 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: James Bixler at January 31, 2011 10:35 AM (By4wu)
IF the Muslim Brother does have the reported 20-30% support... and that support is solid, my prediction is they will be in control of the country within 1 year.
History folks... Nazis were only somthing like 10% when they started... Communists the same.... French Revolution.... American Revolution... both started by Minorities.
It becomes a question of how strong they are in their beliefs, and how far they are willing to go... because the vast majority of any population usually hunkers down and tries to survive until the smoke clears...
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 10:36 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: Egypt at January 31, 2011 10:37 AM (QKKT0)
Posted by: nevergiveup at January 31, 2011 10:37 AM (0GFWk)
We should send John Kerry as envoy. He understands Egypt politics quite well. After they voted FOR Hosni before voting AGAINST him.
Posted by: ObamaSuxDonkeyBalls at January 31, 2011 10:38 AM (w74G6)
I posted it more that I found it fascinating that we have these "FAST" teams of only twelve marines.
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 10:38 AM (p302b)
Posted by: Muslim Brotherhood, Inc. -- Your Brothers in Arms at January 31, 2011 10:38 AM (Lz//J)
Posted by: nevergiveup at January 31, 2011 10:39 AM (0GFWk)
Posted by: Intelligent American Liberals at January 31, 2011 10:39 AM (6uiF7)
So if the protesters heed the call by Baradei/MB to hold massive rallies tomorrow, and the Egyptian military supports/joins the protesters, doesn't that mean that the Muslim Brotherhood is thisclose to controlling all of the fighter jets/tanks/etc. we've been sending to Mubarak's Egypt? And would that realization send Mubarak off to London, regardless of whether there's an orderly succession plan in place?
Seems like a cakewalk for the MB, so I'm hoping for a third, fourth or fifth way to emerge.
Posted by: Lincolntf at January 31, 2011 10:39 AM (hUf/c)
Oops, sorry, I mean Egyptian troops, not Israeli. I think I screwed up the linky earlier too, my apologies:
Israel allows Egypt move several hundred troops into Sinai Peninsula for the first time since 1979 peace treaty - AP http://bit.ly/hq3nGy
Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 31, 2011 10:40 AM (9hSKh)
Omar
the tent maker?
Posted by: The Great Satan's Ghost at January 31, 2011 02:36 PM (uWf7a)
Oooooo, 'Chelle ain't gonna like that! Who'll she turn to keep cracking off one fashion faux pas after another?
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:40 AM (Wqfrr)
Probably Force Recon types.
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 02:36 PM (AdK6a)
Except that number is actually down from where it was 20 - 30 years ago. They'd been losing popularity pretty steadily for quite a while. They're a Muslim nation, so there was no way it was going away completely, but they're not exactly super popular with those who aren't part of their group already.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:43 AM (8y9MW)
I still don't see the ultimate upside in the fact that the protesters are "winning." It would be nice if I were proved wrong in thinking that this is going to result in very bad things. Apparently a whole lot of my conservative betters think this spread of "pro democracy" in Arab states is just great. Islam equals democracy now? Who knew.
Posted by: ParanoidCanCookInSeattle at January 31, 2011 10:44 AM (RZ8pf)
There's some significant question of if this will turn into an islamist uprising kind of thing. Egypt is fairly secular, and seems to be happy with that. I'm not sure attempting to impose 9th century values on a relatively (for the region) liberated people is going to work too well.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:47 AM (8y9MW)
"Muslim Brotherhood says it rejects new government, calls on Egyptians to continue with demonstrations until regime has fallen - NBC News"
via twitter breaking news via drudg
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 10:48 AM (p302b)
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:48 AM (Wqfrr)
Couldn't we have said the same thing about the 70's Iranians?
Posted by: KG at January 31, 2011 10:48 AM (DeCj1)
Causing a stink: The government of Malawi, led by Dr Bingu wa Mutharika, are planning to outlaw breaking wind. Breaking wind is set to be made a crime in an African country. The government of Malawi plan to punish persistent offenders 'who foul the air' in a bid to 'mould responsible and disciplined citizens and control greenhouse gases.' But locals fear that pinning responsibility on the crime will be difficult - and may lead to miscarriages of justice as 'criminals' attempt to blame others for their offence. One Malawian told the website Africanews.com: 'My goodness. What happens in a public place where a group is gathered. Do they lock up half a minibus? 'And how about at meetings where it is difficult to pinpoint 'culprits'? 'Children will openly deny having passed bad air and point at an elder. Culturally, this is very embarrassing,' she said. Another said: 'We have serious issues affecting Malawians today. I do not know how fouling the air should take priority over regulating Chinese investments which do not employ locals, serious graft amongst legislators, especially those in the ruling party, and many more.'The crime will be enforceable in a new 'Local Court' system which will also have powers to punish a range of other crimes
Posted by: Pepe Le Peu at January 31, 2011 10:48 AM (By4wu)
The Muslim Brotherhood is a small Party in Egypt but it is the most organized. Within a month they will control the country. In another month they will set up Sharia law. By the end of 6 months we will have Iran II.
Jimmeh II got what he wanted.
Posted by: Vic at January 31, 2011 10:48 AM (M9Ie6)
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 02:43 PM (8y9MW)
Up or down is immaterial... point is that a solid 20% can, in a chaotic situation, rise to power... as long as they promise stability to the citizens... or some other larger organized group opposes them.
MB is organized... unless another group organizes rapidly, chaos favors them.
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 10:49 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: Donna at January 31, 2011 10:49 AM (DhK9/)
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:51 AM (Wqfrr)
Posted by: Jean at January 31, 2011 10:51 AM (xkJak)
True. Which is why its a question, not foregone either direction.
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 02:49 PM (AdK6a)
That's true.
If I look at this completely honestly, I think the only available answer is "we're boned." If we step up support for Mubarak, we hurt relations in the area even more than they already are. If we let him fall, we probably end up with a terrorist nation within 2 years (at the outside).
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:51 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Ben at January 31, 2011 02:27 PM (wuv1c)
No, we need to send the heavy hitters. Nick Cage, George Clooney. Anyone else and your just nibblin round the edges.
Posted by: dananjcon at January 31, 2011 10:51 AM (pr+up)
What matter is who ends the revolution, not who starts it.
Posted by: Vladimir Ilyich Lenin at January 31, 2011 02:52 PM (VrNoa)
Mon Deiu! Well said!
Posted by: Napoleon Bonaparte at January 31, 2011 10:53 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: Barack Obama at January 31, 2011 10:54 AM (By4wu)
Posted by: Ben at January 31, 2011 02:27 PM (wuv1c)
No, we need to send the heavy hitters. Nick Cage, George Clooney. Anyone else and your just nibblin round the edges.
Posted by: dananjcon at January 31, 2011 02:51 PM (pr+up)
MATT DAMON!
Posted by: Matt Damon at January 31, 2011 10:54 AM (AdK6a)
That idiot former U.N. weapons fool thinks he will set up a power sharing government with the Muzzies. That will last about a month, if that long.
Posted by: Vic at January 31, 2011 02:48 PM (M9Ie6)
Mohamed - We should compare notes. Call me!
Posted by: Abulhassan Banisadr at January 31, 2011 10:55 AM (Wqfrr)
That reminds me. On top of the other issues arising from hosting a Super Bowl, we are being graced with the presence of Janet Napolitano at some point today.
At least she doesn't get to command a full Secret Service convoy...
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 10:55 AM (8y9MW)
Posted by: Barack Obama at January 31, 2011 02:54 PM (By4wu)
I call B.S.! Not one mention of high-speed rail, not one! We're dealing with an impostor here!
Posted by: ya2daup at January 31, 2011 10:58 AM (Wqfrr)
At least she doesn't get to command a full Secret Service convoy...
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) at January 31, 2011 02:55 PM (8y9MW)
Seriously? That means, with the inclement weather coming tonight, she may be stuck here for a few days. I hope she gets groped at the airport once or twice. Of course, that would be the only action she's got for 'free' in quite some time, I'd imagine.
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 10:58 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: nevergiveup at January 31, 2011 10:59 AM (0GFWk)
Posted by: Ma Bell at January 31, 2011 10:59 AM (qzeUt)
Posted by: JohnW at January 31, 2011 10:59 AM (s7lvN)
too confusing for me, usually a coup has a leader and a government ready to take control. It seems the Military in Egypt is acting on it's own. If things get crazy tommorrow and Mubarak leaves then who is running the place? Is the Military going to step in and take control or have they already? It appears they are not working for Mubarack now though so he in affect is already out of power.
That's the problem with these facebook revolutions, everybody's the boss.
Posted by: robtr at January 31, 2011 10:59 AM (hVDig)
Posted by: Ma Bell at January 31, 2011 02:59 PM (qzeUt)
Woot!
Posted by: robtr at January 31, 2011 11:00 AM (hVDig)
That's what you want me to think. A million people tightly packed together.... then boom!
Posted by: The Egyptian tin foil hat brigade at January 31, 2011 11:01 AM (8s9tr)
Posted by: Ma Bell at January 31, 2011 02:59 PM (qzeUt)
Obviously racism is in play here. We'll need to make sure to replace all of the state judges with approved individuals that will rule accordingly.
Posted by: Eric 'Shazaam' Holder at January 31, 2011 11:03 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: Charles Krauthammer's 3rd, And Last, Brain Cell at January 31, 2011 11:03 AM (AK0dh)
The Egyptian police are no longer patrolling the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. Hamas armed men are entering into Egypt and are closely collaborating with the MB [Muslim Brotherhood].
http://tinyurl.com/4z855jd
Welcome to the new Islamic Egypt. These guys are like the Commies. Democracy for them means they use intimidation and violence to win the "vote."
Posted by: Arms Merchant at January 31, 2011 11:06 AM (VKRmb)
Question...
Based on El Baradeis past... do we really know if he is secular or not?
He pretty much single handedly stopped us from doing anything about the Iran bomb program...
He constantly bad mouthed Israel.
Then... this... from Reuters..
El-Baradei and the powerful Muslim Brotherhood said on Sunday he had a mandate from opposition groups to make contact with the army and negotiate a government of national unity.
Is El B in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood?
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 11:06 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 03:01 PM (p302b)
Them Clinton women sure know how to pick em. I'm sure that dude is up in the mountains, bag'n and tag'n women just waiting for his turn to be President so he can get tax payer funded cigars to shove in interns cooters for added flavor.
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 11:07 AM (UK9cE)
Posted by: dananjcon at January 31, 2011 11:07 AM (pr+up)
Posted by: Arms Merchant at January 31, 2011 03:06 PM (VKRmb)
Yeah.... Islamic Democracy means you vote how the Imams and tribal elders tell you to...
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 11:07 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 03:07 PM
Pfffffffftttttttt. A Jewish President?
Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 31, 2011 11:09 AM (yQWNf)
Is El B in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood?
Posted by: Romeo13 at January 31, 2011 03:06 PM (AdK6a)
More than in bed, they're having kids together. ElBaradei is the face of the muslim brotherhood for this fiasco.
Egyptians don't seem to like or trust ElBaradei, though, if that makes anyone feel better.
Posted by: Charles Krauthammer's 3rd, And Last, Brain Cell at January 31, 2011 11:09 AM (AK0dh)
I thought they were newlyweds?
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 03:01 PM (p302b)
Credit the new health care bill -- it encourages entrepreneurs!
Posted by: Botox Nanzi - deposed, but plotting a comeback at January 31, 2011 11:09 AM (Wqfrr)
Egyptian TV used to run anti-Jew programs that would even give the PA a run for their money.
Oh I think we could dream-up somthing good as well.
Posted by: The Rainbow Coalition at January 31, 2011 11:09 AM (pr+up)
Posted by: Count de Monet at January 31, 2011 11:10 AM (XBM1t)
Pfffffffftttttttt. A Jewish President?
Posted by: Truck Monkey at January 31, 2011 03:09 PM (yQWNf)
4 years ago it was 'Pfffffttttttt. A Black President?' American Jews hate Israel too and continue to vote for it's demise by electing Democrats, so I 100% see it as possible. Plus, he's a Clinton now.
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 11:11 AM (UK9cE)
I thought they were newlyweds?
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 03:01 PM (p302b)
Sooo... now we know the location of his secret Jew Cave?
Posted by: Cartman at January 31, 2011 11:12 AM (AdK6a)
Posted by: Botox Nanzi - deposed, but plotting a comeback at January 31, 2011 03:09 PM (Wqfrr)
That reminds me. I saw the other day that the NFLPA was all up in arms about the health care for their players once retired. WTF?!? Obamacare is good enough for the fuckin peasants of the United States, but it's not good enough for fucking FOOTBALL PLAYERS!?! Fuck that. Suffer with the rest of us, assholes.
Posted by: Sponge © at January 31, 2011 11:13 AM (UK9cE)
I thought they were newlyweds?
Posted by: curious at January 31, 2011 03:01 PM (p302b)
He's there without his bride. For several weeks/months. She will visit him every couple of weeks.
Has she stopped putting pennies in the jar already?
Posted by: Count de Monet at January 31, 2011 11:16 AM (XBM1t)
A government run by The Muslim Brotherhood.
and what comes next?
Dictatorship, Sharya law, a safe haven for Al Queda and Hamas, and Anti Israel/Anti-American relations.
Posted by: g at January 31, 2011 11:16 AM (IHFo6)
Posted by: wolverine at January 31, 2011 11:17 AM (GvYeG)
File this under - NOT good.
Carter talked the Shah to leave and now this. I expect carter to start yelling as Obama's sheer incompetence reduces his foul-ups to an Obama footnote.
Posted by: Anna Puma at January 31, 2011 11:17 AM (3KzyI)
Regarding FAST Marines. I'll take a squad of marines over a battalion of the Egyptian Army.
Posted by: wolverine at January 31, 2011 11:18 AM (GvYeG)
Posted by: Waterhouse at January 31, 2011 02:33 PM (3YYhR)
+80% for stoning, death for apostasy, 77% for cutting off hands....
This is what an Egyptian democracy will vote for, installing a theocracy.
Oh, and Death to Israel. That's what freedom means to the man on the street.
Cue Kratos....
Posted by: Derak at January 31, 2011 11:21 AM (CjpKH)
Posted by: toby928™ at January 31, 2011 11:23 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: Jean at January 31, 2011 11:24 AM (G5WHn)
Posted by: The Muslim Brotherhood at January 31, 2011 11:32 AM (GgXZc)
I'm skeptical. Egypt isn't a banana republic.
Posted by: Brian at January 31, 2011 12:12 PM (sYrWB)
Posted by: Hosni M at January 31, 2011 12:25 PM (alr7n)
Posted by: Dandy Don Merdith at January 31, 2011 12:28 PM (YNPwP)
Posted by: Allt those tons of smart bombs we gave the Israelis at January 31, 2011 12:35 PM (dxXO1)
I don't buy that "no way any of Mubarak's clique can hang on" as necessarily the case.
Suleiman's origins are Egyptian Army with further specialized USSR military training in Moscow prior to fighting in the Egyptian Army wars against Israel. British Intelligence described Suleiman as more powerful than the current Israeli Mossad Chief of Intelligence. Given his decades in power, Suleiman has the goods on everyone, from international world leaders to street thugs. Of course he will use information prior to relinquishing his power and forfeiting opportunity to replace Mubarak within whatever reforms come to be.
As far as the Egyptian Army standing down, that simply keeps them from being targeted by protesters, maintaining a mutual hands-off agreement. But the moment the mob attacks the Army, or a terrorist attack occurs, of course the Army will respond with force. The airport is extremely vulnerable. And given nightly mob rule, my only question regards how long before the radical jihadists and roving criminals get too rowdy for the Army's standard of laissez faire.
Posted by: Plateau Plato at January 31, 2011 01:08 PM (H+LJc)
Posted by: Plateau Plato at January 31, 2011 01:15 PM (H+LJc)
So, how anxious are the Egyptian military to face the IDF again?
I suspect they'd offer to hold the MB's coat. "Let's you and him fight," usually doesn't get you very far.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey at January 31, 2011 01:20 PM (yt878)
I'll bet Mubarak wasn't invited to the last Bilderberg meeting.
Posted by: Breaker 19 at January 31, 2011 01:57 PM (FNPtJ)
Posted by: unknown jane at January 31, 2011 03:25 PM (5/yRG)
Alas, dam busting is now a war crime under the GC. We have become a pussified world since the Brits smacked the Ruhr Valley Dams.
Posted by: toby928™ at January 31, 2011 04:12 PM (GTbGH)
Posted by: unknown jane at January 31, 2011 05:47 PM (5/yRG)
A: The Obama administration did not just to support the wrong side.
Seriously, does it seem to anyone else that given the potential here across the region, the US is steadfastly avoiding any signs of taking advantage of the situation?
We kind of knew that was going to happen after Iran (not to mention the Honduras), but still, WTF is with these people? Oh, I guess we knew that, too.
Posted by: Merovign, Bond Villain at January 31, 2011 05:57 PM (bxiXv)
Posted by: Mr Nobodoy at February 04, 2011 01:15 PM (4EVx2)
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Posted by: Vic at January 31, 2011 10:23 AM (M9Ie6)