Tag: egypt

Let My People Go

As I write this, the Egyptian state seemingly totters on the brink of collapse. One last push from what appears to be a genuine, spontaneous popular uprising may be all it takes to send “president for life” Hosni Mubarak into exile or to a wall with (perhaps) a blindfold and final cigarette. That’s how it … Continue reading “Let My People Go”

Things Have to Change in Order to Remain the Same

The hypocrisy of the U.S. government is yet again demonstrated in full force. The U.S. government invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, laid waste to much of the countries, including entire villages and towns, and massacred untold numbers of civilians in order “to bring democracy” to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now after days of Egyptians in the streets … Continue reading “Things Have to Change in Order to Remain the Same”

Winners and Losers From a Pharaoh’s Fall

Among the biggest losers of the Egyptian uprising are, first, the Mubaraks, who are finished, and, next, the United States and Israel. Hosni Mubarak will be out by year’s end, if not the end of this month, or week. He will not run again and will not be succeeded by son Gamal, whom he had … Continue reading “Winners and Losers From a Pharaoh’s Fall”

The Hosni Mubarak Fan Club

A long-oppressed people finally rises up and braves tanks, secret police thugs, and the inertia of routine humiliation to say: “Enough”! Who could fail to sympathize? Well, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Michigan), for one: “The Egyptian demonstrations are not the equivalent of Iran’s 2009 Green Revolution. The Egyptian demonstrations are the reprise of Iran’s 1979 radical … Continue reading “The Hosni Mubarak Fan Club”

Uncertain Fate for Egypt’s US-Supplied Weapons Systems

Besieged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, a former air force officer whose 30-year-old authoritarian regime is under attack, presides over a country described as one of the major military powers in the region, ranking next to Israel and Turkey. Since it signed the U.S.-brokered Camp David Peace Treaty with Israel back in September 1978, Egypt has … Continue reading “Uncertain Fate for Egypt’s US-Supplied Weapons Systems”

In Arab World, Obama Riding a Tiger

Suddenly faced with an unprecedented number of challenges across the Arab world, the administration of President Barack Obama is scrambling hard to keep up. The fate of President Hosni Mubarak, long regarded as Washington’s most powerful Arab ally, no doubt gets top billing as the crisis of the moment, as Egypt girds for what are … Continue reading “In Arab World, Obama Riding a Tiger”

Will Egypt Follow Tunisia’s Lead?

CAIRO – “Where can I find a Tunisian flag?” The question flooded Egyptian blogs, Twitter, and Facebook pages minutes after news that popular protests had forced out long-time Tunisian dictator Zine el Abidine Ben Ali. Egypt is feeling the ripple effect from Tunisia already. Egypt’s 85 million people constitute a third of the Arab population. … Continue reading “Will Egypt Follow Tunisia’s Lead?”

Mubarak’s Critics See Hypocrisy in US Support

The Egyptian government’s crackdown on political opponents continues unabated in advance of parliamentary elections Nov. 28, even as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week hailed the “partnership” between the two countries as “a cornerstone of stability and security in the Middle East and beyond.” In the latest example of a widespread campaign of media … Continue reading “Mubarak’s Critics See Hypocrisy in US Support”

Egypt Punishes Gaza More

CAIRO – Almost two months since Egypt announced it would reopen its Rafah border terminal with the Gaza Strip, operation of the crossing remains sorely limited. “Rafah has only been opened to passengers and some medical supplies,” Hatem al-Buluk, journalist and resident of al-Arish, located some 25 miles west of Rafah, told IPS. “Everything else, … Continue reading “Egypt Punishes Gaza More”