A radical takeover appear to be very possible in Egypt. If that happens, Israel loses its sole Arab ally in the Middle East, oil prices surge, Iran is strengthened, other Arab states will be destabilized, the US defense industry suffers, and President Obama appears weak.You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.
The US has long attempted to balance stability and democracy in that region. By doing so, neither has been achieved. Mubarak is a thug who was likely involved in Sadat's assassination. He's also been a brutal prosecutor of radical Muslims within his country. A military takeover will continue this hard line against Islamic nuts. Democracy might deliver the al Qaeda candidate in a landslide. Nothing is simple over there. The most frightening thing is how quickly a government can flip a kill switch on modern communication.
ReplyDeleteThe United States needs to get out of this area and let these people solve their own problems. You are correct anonymous when you state that Mubarak has been a bum.
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind that while many have attempted to create an Islamic kingdom they have been unable to do so because of national identity issues. This is why they end up waging war against one another.
I believe we need to pull all our troops out of this area of the world as well as set a timetable for getting them out of Europe, Korea, and any other place they might be located. Create a diplomatic policy that is far reaching into the future based on a willingness to trade with those who behave and restore the good example that we had under the Founding Fathers so that we can pick out friends and not have to support the bad guys. Maintaining a strong military presence at home is an essential ingredient.
Damn! And things were going so well for us in the Middle East until now.
ReplyDeleteBernie, Jordan is another country that has a treaty with Israel in the Middle East.
ReplyDeleteYou are right and I am wrong. I will correct my post.
ReplyDeleteBernie is mistaken about a good many things. This is only one of them.
ReplyDeleteThe United States has troops in 175 countries. Would we allow Russian trops in the U S A ? jUST WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE ????????????????
ReplyDeleteSend Ronnie Angle & his sidekick Kato O'Hair over to volunteer their services.
ReplyDeletePlease!
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ReplyDeleteYou still have not spelled it correctly. Do that, and I'll allow your anonymous personal attack to stand.
ReplyDeleteThe "U.S. defense industry suffers"? Bernie, You've been hanging around Charlie Dent to long. Now you are using the empires own propaganda to make a point. Try to remember this,Bernie: The "defense" industry causes suffering all over the world every day. They and therefore we supply the hardware that is used to murder and torture innocent people in places like Egypt and in dozens of other countries. The people who suffer are on the receiving end of the defense industry.
ReplyDelete"U.S. defense industry suffers"?
ReplyDeleteA great president once warned us about the military industrial complex. He was a general. He knew the military and he knew it was time to be warried that the military was being taken over by those who had an agenda (greed) that did not align with our security interests or the interests of our soldiers.
Anon 7:54 pm said, "The United States has troops in 175 countries."
ReplyDeleteIn many of those countries, the only military presence we have is the Marines who guard our embassies and consulates.
Look at History ... Rome did not fail until it withdrew its troos or Centurians from Germany ... Then the barbarians rampaged and burnt Rome ... Does anyone think that America would be left alone if we pulled our troos from the world ... Will we be able to maintain our suppy lines for the goods we need?
ReplyDeleteIn Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood and other political allies, only account for 10% of the population's backing. For the most part, young Egyptians are moderate on the political scale and other allies should not fear a change. Political change will occur and hope that it does spread to other parts of the Middle East. Today's telecommunications assets have empowered the young. It can be used for their benefit or against them, but it is THEIR choice. America should not interfere. I have been monitoring the news and for the most part, the victims of police actions are the moderates. This is actually encouraging. If tere is enough stimulus from the moderate factions, the world has nothing to fear.
ReplyDeleteBernie, My in-laws live in Egypt(Pa) This provides cover that I don't have to vist. Southern Man
ReplyDelete