The Struggle for Egypt (Steven A. Cook & Michele Dunne)

[Bloggingheads]

[opposable_crumbs]

I would love to know what Egyptian sentiment is towards Obama at the moment. Is he credited at all in Egypt with finally spearing Mubarak, or seen as a reluctant follower of events? It's amazing to think how different things where when he addressed Cairo two years ago.

[voice_of_sanity]

Two points:

1. The case for US support to Egypt is very simple - if Egyptians choose to align their actions with US interests in the region they should get rewarded. If not then US support should stop. very simple.

2. The true meaning and importance of the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement (and overall relationship) was quite badly underestimated in this dialog. This agreement was the first sign of peace and stability between Israel and its Arab neighbors - a proof to most in Israel that perhaps they need not 'fight for their lives' for eternity. If this agreement fails the possibility for ANY future Israeli-Arab peace (or concessions to the Palestinians) would be minuscule.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by voice_of_sanity

Two points:

1. The case for US support to Egypt is very simple - if Egyptians choose to align their actions with US interests in the region they should get rewarded. If not then US support should stop. very simple.

2. The true meaning and importance of the Israeli-Egyptian peace agreement (and overall relationship) was quite badly underestimated in this dialog. This agreement was the first sign of peace and stability between Israel and its Arab neighbors - a proof to most in Israel that perhaps they need not 'fight for their lives' for eternity. If this agreement fails the possibility for ANY future Israeli-Arab peace (or concessions to the Palestinians) would be minuscule.

The peace agreement means something as long as the Egyptian leadership can control and oppress it's people with help from Washington. Egyptian people never mandated the agreement.

I like how you define peace and stability...80 million Egyptians under brutal dictatorship.

Originally Posted by Baz

The peace agreement means something as long as the Egyptian leadership can control and oppress it's people with help from Washington. Egyptian people never mandated the agreement.

I like how you define peace and stability...80 million Egyptians under brutal dictatorship.

What are you calling brutal? Mubarak was much more enlightened than the Egyptian people - the vast majority of whom favor stoning, amputation and murdering people for apostasy.