HP:
Reports are saying that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will “meet protesters demands,” with some saying that he will transfer power to the military tonight. […]
Reports the AP:
Military and ruling party officials say President Hosni Mubarak will speak to the nation soon and meet the demands of protesters. Protesters are insisting he step down immediately.
Military officials say the armed forces' supreme council has been meeting all day long and will issue a communique shortly that they say will meet the protesters' demands.
The ruling party chief, Hossan Badrawy, tells The Associated Press he expects Mubarak to address the nation and make a announcement that will satisfy their demands.
I wonder if the administration at least saw this coming.
Not that it much matters: Obama has taken every possible position anyway; so whatever happens, he made the right call.
(h/t Darleen)
meet the new boss…
Happy, actually not same as the old boss. Worse. The head of the secret police is supposedly taking over.
Some of the Egyptian protesters call VP Omar Suleiman ‘The Torturer’. For whatever that’s worth.
“Egypt’s military announced on national television that it stepped in to “safeguard the country” and assured protesters that President Hosni Mubarak will meet their demands in the strongest indication yet that the longtime leader has lost power.”
Still better than having the Muslim Brotherhood take over.
And while Obama has managed to put chips on every number on the roulette wheel, that is not a method to actually win.
Well then, how long until somebody in the administration declares mission accomplished?
Maybe Robert Gibbs could volunteer?
So, the Muslim Brotherhood is claiming that they don’t want to assume power in Egypt?
Very good, they’re following the playbook I used in Iran!
First, wait for the masses to rise up against the current gov’t (in my case, The Shah), then voice support for a change of government, but claim you have no interest in the reins of power.
Once a weak interim gov’t is established, gin up more demonstrations and unrest (as violent as possible, this is key) that forces the military to repress the demonstrators and hopefully generate dozens of martyrs to the cause.
Once the street run red with blood, THEN offer a slate of fundamentalist candidates that promise a return to order, public safety and a return to “our Muslim roots”.
Then, push for elections to gain power, use the mosques to push your candidates and expose the ruling junta as “heretics”.
“One Man, One Vote” morphs into “One Man, One Vote, ONE TIME!”
Voila! A do-it-yourself Islamic Republic!
Sincerely,
The Ayatollah Khomeni (deceased)
On Omar…
Except for the security of the Suez, I’m still having a hard time with why we give a shit about this. Captain jesus’s Cairo speech didn’t exactly work. Internal pols show roughly 80% of them fucking hate us. 70% think we’re the biggest threat to them. Us! We beat Israel as a threat…in fucking Egypt. Way to go Barry.
Smart power.
So…who cares? Foggy Bottom apparently didn’t. Langley didn’t. Obama was “present” as per usual. The WH sent a legacy stooge over and then proceeded to sit there with a big red ink dobber, trying to play BINGO as the press called the balls coming out the tumbler.
Mubarak, Suleiman. Whatever. Both like Pharaohs (I thought they liked those?)
Or the MB. Yippeee!
Don’t matter. No way this ends well for anybody.
It would be ironic if we ended up having to do what we slapped Britain, France and Israel for back in the 1950s.
“Don’t matter. No way this ends well for anybody.”
– Another “don’t need to DO nothin’ cause it ain’t gwonna BE nothin’ moment in the rein of the Golden Erkel.
– Egypt. Give me a break. America is leaderless at the moment. Without it being said, we’re probably being lead by the military as much as Egypt. Just no one dares say it out loud.
Without it being said, we’re probably being led by the military as much as Egypt. Just no one dares say it out loud.
Wha? I hope you’re talking specifically about ME security policy, or you’re totally whacked out on some really good ganja. ‘Cuz otherwise I have to suspect a serious blow to the head, and that would be a bad thing.
this must be very humiliating for Mubarak and also the royal saudi pervert king they need to get away and just take a day for themselves – haagen dazs, pedicures and young boys will help turn that petulant dictator frown upside down!
What you call ironic McGehee, I’m tempted to call chickENZ! coming home. to ROOST.
‘feets, you do realize that this is a military coup going on, don’t you?
Actually the military coup happened decades ago. What’s happening in 2011 is that the military has realized the face of its regime no longer serves and must be replaced.
Happy, Is Mitch Daniels availble to take over Egypt?
holy military coups baman you know what this means? Civil liberties will be trampled! This is not the Egypt I knew.
Happy, Is Kevin Jennings advising Mubarak and the Saudi King now?
Civil liberties in Egypt are simple. You speak glowingly of Egyptian football prospects. If you are going to be negative about any other subject, blame someone other than the Egyptian government. Israel is an excellent scapegoat, but no playing footies with Hamas.
Just heard from Rush that Egyptian State TV is reporting Mubarek isn’t going anywhere. FOX News and WSJ say same. Also that the MB is saying it’s not enough for just Mubarek to step down.
BHO is signing books.
“Wha? I hope you’re talking specifically about ME security policy….”
– Exactly, but isn’t the instability of the ME really driving everything else. Oil for just one comes to mind.
– If DoD, as it did back in the 60’s and 70’s, is running the show, then that’s rule by military, no matter how you try to pretty it up.
– We’ve seen basically zero leadership from the WH, and very likely never will.
“BHO is signing books.”
– Well that, and doing the only thing he knows. Giving speeches pandering directly to his base. In this case it is “the youth of Egypt” that is fighting for this new freedom. He’s a one note Unicorn.