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Subscribe to RSSBy Robert Windrem, NBC News investigative producer for special projects
What a difference a few days make when it comes to assessing a volatile protest against a foreign government.
Three days ago, the consensus among U.S. officials was, in the words of one, that Egypt “isn't likely to be the flashpoint that Tunisia turned out to be."
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the main reason for that view was Egypt’s repressive security apparatus.
But by Friday, the official said, the widely held view was that "this could go either way." Adjectives being bandied about among higher-ups included "fluid" and "extraordinarily tense."
The outcome may be determined within a matter of hours, the official said, adding, "Somebody has to do something to break the tension and fast."
U.S. officials do not expect a conciliatory message from President Hosni Mubarak, the official said, noting that no one would believe such a statement and that it could even exacerbate tensions given the harsh repression.
It's possible Mubarak will offer to meet with Nobel Peace laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, who returned to Egypt to join the protesters in calling for Mubarak to step down, the official said, but that too is problematic. It would set ElBaradei up as someone who people can rally around. As for ElBaradei’s house arrest, that may be a good thing because "not everyone on the streets is of one mind."
Finally, and perhaps most important, the official said "Mubarak is poised and is positioned to crack down harder if that is what he wants to do,” the official said. “He has not pulled out all the stops on repression."
It seems the U.S. is a victim of the old adage "Be careful what you wish for; you might get it". G. W. Bush said that replacing the government in Iraq would help turn the region towards democracy. I don't think he intended to include Egypt in his thinking, but it seems that it may be about to happen. Now if we can only get democracy spread to the other countries in the region (Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria,etc.), we might get what Bush was trying to obtain.
U.S. thinking changes on 'fluid' situation in Egypt... I doubt it. There is no evidence of "thinking" What there is would be concern about our imported oil dependency because the Suez may be in jeopardy. Our government supports a "no domestic oil production policy."It will hurt us all any time now...
As I stated in an article a few months ago, Mubarak would have been a hero with a favorable legacy if he resigned long before this unrest. Now he is even complicating matters by clinging to his post. Free and internationally supervised elections for a president is his only way out of this messy situation. Meanwhile an interim government backed by the army can take over.
Louis Elias
As I stated in an article a few months ago, Mubarak would have been a hero with a favorable legacy if he resigned long before this unrest. Now he is even complicating matters by clinging to his post. Free and internationally supervised elections for a president is his only way out of this messy situation. Meanwhile an interim government backed by the army can take over.
When Bush said the region he meant the Middle East as in Iraq becoming a democratic example for the rest of the Middle East to follow. Hopefully Syria is next to go.
DR. President BARAK OBAMERICA will unite humanity to peace, love, kindness and prosperity for HUMAN KIND and his leadership will turn All our muslim brothers and sisters to respect and follow the AMERICAN way - Oh so beautifull ...The Land of the FREEE.
Thank you MR. President for representing AMERICA THE BEAUTIFULL
I do wish MSNBC and NBC would give Chris Mathews a Psych exam. He doesn't indicate that he is wired correctly in the Brain, or at least he doesn't use his. Maybe he needs to "piddle down his leg" more often. All Glen Beck is trying to do is make the folks that don't watch NBC ( and there are a lot of them) aware of the ramifications of more and rapid expansion of Shiria law. I don't think most of you understand that if The Radical Muslims take over, and Sharia law is put in place, you folks will be GONE! You will not be allowed to speak or comment on what the Government is or is not doing. WAKE UP PEOPLE!