This movement to oust Hosni Mubarak is a popular uprising not a political one. If it were a political uprising, It might be Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, or the Kefaya Movement who organized it.

Kefaya shouldn't be confused with Khefeyah, the name of the Arab headscarf, it rather means, in Arabic, "enough".

You might think of this movement as Egypts form of the Tea Party, or 1922 Germany's Grossdeutsche Jugendbewegung or Greater Youth Movement. which rallies behind an idea rather a leader. These popular movements remain largely leaderless or form in small groups.

Existing political parties are quick to gain their support. And poised to do that is Mubaraks greatest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood. Recently, a Brotherhood supporter, Mohammed el Baradei, former head of the UN IAEA and Nobelaureate. Returned from exile to Egypt and spoke in Tahir Square. From a bullhorn, he gave a speech which was largely drowned out by the crowd, it was weak, and ineffectual - but it was an attempt to gain control of the masses.

Which way this goes we will have to wait and see. The crowd will most likely tire and go home - or it will fester to bloodshed. Most Egyptians are at home steering away from these areas.

Mubarak will discourage incitement by shutting down the internet and intimidating reporters with violence. He will then place his money on the crowd tiring - as he did with March 20 uprising. Western powers will support Mubarak by encouraging peace and calm transition.

If this movement goes anywhere, it will be interesting to see who grabs the steering wheel.

HellyBilly

You mentioning of 'evil' Vietnamese communist is an interesting one.
Is that why US try to forge a closer tie with Vietnam? To support another 'evil' regime?

Clinton's Visit to Vietnam Highlights Warmer Ties
http://www.aolnews.com/2010/07/23/clinton-in-hanoi-as-common-concerns-nudge-u-s-vietnam-closer/

Politics is the art of the possible. Surveying the landscape what is before us ? Great chaos, flux, fear and change all throughout the Middle East. The threat of a downward spiralling vortex, almost like a land subsidence or spiritual sinkhole. No real leader present in Egypt. The other national leaders nervous but hanging on, treading water and managing to mitigate the anger by holding snap elections etc. Temporarily distracting the masses. Plugging the dyke. The Egyptian protestors may not have the patience to wait for President Mubarak to resign in September. Things have been allowed to slide for too long and the current intransigence of the government may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. To mitigate the violence a government of national unity is required. The people must start to feel engaged in the process of government. I am sure the vast majority of Egyptians are fair minded and seek peace and good relations with all nations, including Israel. The Western leaders including Bibi must attempt to trust the people of Egypt. Managing affairs from on high is dangerous when the people resent the ivory tower. A more interconnected, dynamic, grounded Middle East is required.

How about a meeting in Jerusalem with various representatives from Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Egypt with other nations present ? A peace treaty could be negotiated. Various GDP's in the region...Israel US$292.7 billion; Jordan $31.01 B; Syria $96.53 B; Lebanon $53.81 B; Gaza $4 B; Saudi Arabia $600.4 B; Egypt $452.5 Billion. The total GDP of these eight areas is approx. $1.5 Trillion. This can increase by at least 4% per annum over the coming years if trust and co-operation increases. The vacuum needs to be filled. Ganeden needs an HQ. A good CEO is required. The next ninety eight days leading up to May 16th, 2011 are crucial.

P.S. Did you know that Hamas representatives on a trust building mission involving talks about Gilad Shalit were on their way to Damascus on Monday when they were paradoxically stopped at the border with Egypt due to the ensuing chaos ? The Israelis et al. are doing an enormous amount of good work behind the scenes to obey a certain paradigm.

Now that all the experts have weighed in on what's next for Obama on Egypt, here is my latest op-ed on what Egypt means for Israel.

"For Israel on Egypt, a delicate balancing act."
http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2011/01/31/quick-take-soci...

Thanks,

Nemat Sadat

You can join me by adding me on these sites below:

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Now that all the experts have weighed in on what's next for Obama on Egypt, here is my latest op-ed on what Egypt means for Israel.

"For Israel on Egypt, a delicate balancing act."
http://ohmygov.com/blogs/general_news/archive/2011/02/07/for-israel-in-egypt-a-delicate-balancing-act.aspx

Thanks,

Nemat Sadat
ms4008@columbia.edu

You can join me by adding me on these sites below:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/nematsadat

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/nemat-sadat/13/620/A83

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/profile.php?id=1434669268

All reveal that the issue of the state – and the closely associated question of democracy – in Latin America is far from being resolved. The return to democracy in recent years has not resolved several fundamental problems of state, which Laura Tedesco & Jonathan R Barton well describe: "historical inequality in social relations remained relatively unchanged following the neoliberal reforms; the perpetuation of the notion that this inequality in inevitable and almost necessary; the spread of economic exclusion; the de facto restrictions of civil liberties for those economically excluded; the persistence of important degrees of social and political authoritarianism; the injustices of the judicial systems; and unresolved ethnic and racial issues" (The State of Democracy in Latin America, Routledge, 2004).

obviously not my work but this a strong core of my attitude. Even though it is a different region, the conclusions are no less valid. There is a long bibliography on the subject

I am confused! What is the national mantra of the West? Is it Democracy or Support of Israel. In Egypt, West can not have it both. So make up your mind and tell us.

Till now it was Democracy, and boy did we have the earful! Children sang the hymn of Democracy, you went to war to bring Democracy! But now we find it is not the mantra.

West is all concerned and is making pronouncements that Democracy will bring Muslim Brotherhood in power. Imagine if an Egyptian had opined that Republican victory in America was bad for Democracy, as it would bring Tea Party in power!, your response would be mind your business.

Many Egyptian is saying the same to you.

You make assumptions that are not yet proven facts and paint yourself into an indefensible corner