Crisis in Egypt
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-02-07/crisis-egypt
Bread vendors pull their trolley to their shop in Cairo, Egypt, Wednesday, Feb.2, 2011. Egypt's economy suffered a fresh blow after yet another credit agency lowered its ratings and its currency approached a five-year low with slim chance of a quick rebound amid surging street protests.
AP Photo/Victoria Hazou
Opposition leaders in Egypt say the government must go further. Yesterday, Egypt’s vice president and long time intelligence chief met with representatives of opposition groups including members of the Muslim Brotherhood. He pledged open elections and the release of political prisoners, but did not address the fundamental sticking point, President Mubarak himself. For days now protesters in Egypt have insisted on Mubarak’s immediate resignation, and they vow to escalate their protests until their demands are met: Join us for an update on the political turmoil in Egypt and what role, if any, the U.S. can play
Guests
Steven Cook
Hasib J. Sabbagh senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies,
Council on Foreign Relations
Abderrahim Foukara
Washington bureau chief of Al Jazeera Arabic.
Emad Shahin
Egyptian scholar and associate professor of
political science, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
University of Notre Dame
Shashank Bengali
Cairo correspondent, McClatchy Newspapers.
Comments
Please familiarize yourself with our Code of Conduct and Terms of Use before posting your comments.
ENOUGH ALREADY! I am sick and tired of all the so-called experts giving their opinion on the Egypt situation. First of all President Obama and his administration cannot even take a breath without criticism. We all need to relax and let the situation unfold in time--this is not a time for over analysis and back seat drivers. This is an EGYPTIAN problem- The U.S. can help them negotiate this dangerous curve but we can NOT drive the car! it's not up to us to oust their president and replace him with someone WE choose. Allow Obama and crew to do their job-we elected them not the plethora of experts showcased in the media and most of all NOT self appointed Queen Palin!
zinnia: I'm sorry that you are not aware that the Obama administration sent Frank Wisner, a lobbyist for Hosni Mubarak, as the United States special envoy in relation to this popular revolt. Wisner immediately stated that Mubarak must remain in office.
I am sorry that you are not aware that claims of "weapons of mass destruction" are now being claimed for Egypt, a country that is almost directly armed by the United States Department of Defense and it's contractors.
I am sorry that you are not aware that events in Egypt reflect similar deceptions and repressions of our people right here at home in these United States.
It is true Zinnia that the American people, for the most part, do not know what is going on, and it is our secret oligarchal government run by global corporations that is "driving the car."
If their situation and our situation are allowed to "unfold in time" with citizens such as yourself not wanting to speculate on our perilous future under corporatism we may regret our passivity as we suffer conditions akin to those in Egypt that caused this uprising.
I'd think you would have understood that the "hot and cold running thugs" in Cairo were paid by American taxpayer money. I'd think you would understand that similar contractors exist here at home.
See what happens next year Zinnia when concerned people attempt to peacefully redress grievances at the two big party conventions. It will resemble Egypt.
I am not biased towards the Muslim Brotherhood because I do not know its history and therefore very curious about why they are so marginalized. I'd like to know how religious ideology functions within their political practices. The name for the organization suggest that it has strong Islamic leanings and seemingly patriarchal too. How will women be represented by a group that names itself the 'brotherhood'? Could it be exclusionary and at best include only more men in the circle of power and privilege?
@zinnia - I'll second that notion. We can't force-feed nation-building anymore, nor can we continue to support despotism in the name of democracy...nor can we, however, afford to hold our collective breath. Frankly, the best future we can hope for - both in Egypt and here in the USA - is one clothed in transparency.
On another note, I've been pondering one of Ms. Rehm's shows from a couple of weeks ago - and it's stuck with me - so a bit of blogging on the subject might be found here: http://zzoottland.blogspot.com/2011/02/future-of-public-broadcasting.html
Grady I am sorry that you assumed to know what I know and don’t know. I am aware of the incidents you identified and views you espouse however in an age of fast food, instant messages and immediate gratification, it seems that many who pontificate on this matter expect a new Egyptian president and form of government instantaneously. Democracies evolve, it is a process, parties must be formed, campaigns orchestrated and finally a legitimate election. Transitions occur in the fullness of time.
You seem to have a fixed view of how the world works. I am looking through different lenses. In my opinion, while corporations do have too much influence politically I reject the notion that there a "secret oligarchical government." I only vote for those individuals who have a deep concern for the common good and believe that the role of government is to protect liberty and seek justice for all. There are many politicians I respect who serve the public good with integrity and I trust their judgments. If they prove me wrong then they lose my vote. Everyday I wake up and am grateful for the rights and privileges this country provides, no it’s not perfect but it is a great place to live nonetheless. Of course you are entitled to your view as I am. Lastly, I educate myself on issues, write letters, campaign for carefully selected candidates and then vote. That is the single most pro-active thing I do as an American citizen so please do not discount this by insinuating I am being passive. Have a good day. Peace:)
Dear Diane.
With all the noise being made about the treatment of journalists in Egypt, why haven't any journalists provided a truly in-depth report on why the US has sent huge amounts of money to Mubareks's corrupt and oppressive regime. Have the political leaders been as stupid as Vice President Biden who said Mubarek is not a dictator? Or, has everyone been involved in a cover-up? And don't wave the fear of terrorism flag; this struggle has been going on since Lawrence of Arabia was in the region.
Of course everyone is in favor of democracy coming to Egypt. But the big question is: why did it take such a tumultuous event to get everyone interested in what is happening in Egypt?
Thank you for getting someone onto your show to dig deeper into this uprising.
Lawrence
Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928, by Hassan al-Bann himself a religious leader. He and those who founded the Brotherhood opposed the secular political parties of the early 20th century and founded the Brotherhood in response, seeking to foster greater equality, limit corruption and, yes, found in Islamic state. At first the Brotherhood was tolerated by the Egyptian government under King Farouq and then after the Officer's coup of 1952. Gemal Abdel Nasser led Egypt from then on until Anwar al-Sadat took over. Nasser, despite being a secular-nationalist and closely aligned with the Soviets, tolerated the Brotherhood. However, in 1954 a member of the Brotherhood tried assassinating Nasser which gave Nasser the pretext to quash their organization and influence. They organized nonetheless but didn't participate politically and were outlawed. In the 50's and early 60's a young Brotherhood member named Sayyad Qutb, after traveling and studying in America, wrote manifestos that denounced the West and called for armed resistance. His writings greatly influenced global jihadi fighters then and today most notably Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian and Osama bin-Laden's number 2. Despite his popularity among radical elements, the senior leadership of the Brotherhood did not support his radical beliefs and after his execution the Brotherhood adopted a more moderate approach to the state and politics. Since that time they have participated in elections, albeit as independents, and have done remarkably well thanks to their organizational capacity and fervid following.
A couple of very important things to note about the Brotherhood today: (1) they're not a monolithic force; there's moderates, reformists, conservatives and radicals throughout the group; (2) their inclusion in politics has, like many other islamic political parties around the world, convinced them that their goals must conform to the guidelines of the institutions of which they hope to operate in: the state; (3) The Brotherhood is aware that few Egyptians support a theocratic state. Of course they'll do well in elections, but it's unlikely that the group will force strict sharia law upon the population if they get the chance. Most Egyptians wouldn't countenance replacing a secular-nationalist dictator with an Islamist one. On the other hand, the Brotherhood will find it difficult to reconcile their founding ideals with an open, liberal and largely secular democracy. But we should welcome their inclusion in a democratic Egypt. They've provided vital services and will continue to do so. The mostly repressive militant groups in the world, not just Islamic ones (these needs to be understood by everyone: not all terrorists are Islamic), are the groups that are repressed and aren't given the chance to participate in state institutions. Being thus secluded, these groups seek to actively undermine the very institutions and states that they once coveted a position in. Inclusion breeds tolerance, empathy for others and most importantly moderation and pragmatism.
Well said Concorversee!
The United States has spent far too much focus and money in Iraq and Afgahnistan and now has its sites on Egypt. Much of the United States' vast surplus left to the Bush and Cheney administration was frittered away not only through tax cuts and banking de-regulation but on these military safaris as well. To this, our country is not only bankrupt financially but morally, when in the face of widening gap between the rich and poor, and the evaporating working and middle classes, it cuts taxes for the very rich, and subsequently cuts programs in education, working benefits, and social security, while denying health care to its citizens. Egyptians, do not invite the United States into your affairs. What moral compass and model of democracy can the United States offer, when its highest court has given its stamp of approval for unlimited corporate spending in its elections. Likewise, these same corporations will be trying to spend money in Egyptian elections. Washington and Jeffereson, Lincoln, Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt--as they turn in their graves over their own government's dismantling, they would encourage you to fight against tyranny.