Who Is Encouraging Mubarek To Hang On?........

[global1]

Really - this guy is 80 y/o and has money stashed away beyond belief. Why is he not stepping down? Why is he trying to stay in power? Is this an ego thing? Is he worried that if he relinquishes power that he his riches will be taken away and he'll be jailed? Is the US Government encouraging him to stay on? Are the other Mid East governments encouraging him to fight back his citizens because they are worried that if Egypt falls that their people will get the same idea of a more democratic system and overthrow their governments?

It just seems to me that if I were Mubarek that I would see the handwriting on the wall and would have fled the country to a safe haven days ago.

What am I missing here?

[azurnoir]

1. well it seems Netanyahu wants him to hang tight

but even the US seems to accept he's done for

[malaise]

25. Ding ding we have a winner n/t

[Iggo]

2. *cough*cough*Israel*cough*.

[TBF]

4. +1 nt

[Cleita]

12. +10

[nadinbrzezinski]

19. -10 shows little knowledge of these dynamics

[Iggo]

22. They're not?

[nadinbrzezinski]

23. they have taken on a dynamic of their own by now

[lame54]

26. n/t? - this seems like the ideal time to enlighten us

[social_critic]

3. The long arm of the law

Nowadays, these dictators put the money they steal in European and Emirates banks. They need to make sure as much as possible is moved to safe heaven, because these accounts do get frozen. Plus he needs to discuss asylum with a prospective protector - Saudi Arabia usually picks these guys up, but it may be too touchy.

I imagine right now he's trying to figure out his alternatives. Plus he has to make sure his family is and his friends are safe before the thing hits the fan. My bet is he's going to end up in one of the Emirates surrounded by 2000 body guards. His family is probably being set up to go to the US, and go under the witness protection program.

[xchrom]

5. If he leaves and his illegal activities come to light

Egypt would probably want him back.
Gamal too.

[bushisanidiot]

6. Why the hell do you think the U.S. would provide protection for him?

AWOL Bush is no longer in White House.

[social_critic]

11. I don't see much difference in US Middle East policy under Obama

Middle East policy under Obama is very close to Bush's policy. Why would the US provide protection for his relatives? Because it has all these client Arab dictators - the Saudi royal family being the most important - and they need to show some loyalty. Otherwise these dictators the US has protected for so long may get wary and start shifting towards a more anti-Israel stance. Being anti Israel sells well with the Arab street, if you don't believe me, ask Osama.

[bushisanidiot]

24. Oh, BULL! Name one country that President Obama has invaded.

Name one war he has started. Name one lie he has told to try to get everyone afraid of muslims to justify planned violence and murder.

he is NOTHING like AWOL Bush!!!

[Renew Deal]

7. Probably Mubarek

People in power don't give it up easily and many of them make it harder for them to lose it.

[sufrommich]

8. I agree. nt

[Catherina]

9. The same people who paid him for 30 years. Until they can find an acceptable replacement lackey. nt

[dixiegrrrrl]

15. Do you think Suliman is that "suitable lackey"?

Mubarak has not had a # 2 for years, it strikes me he suddenly now chose one for a reason.

Wasn't he #2 to Sadat, and then Sadat got killed?

Gotta watch those # 2 guys.

[gratuitous]

10. If you were in charge, would you let a mob chase you out?

The guy's been the top dog for 30 years. He's seen 'em come, he's seen 'em go. There's also the illegality of things he may have done, and sooner or later, his victims or their survivors might come looking for him. He knows first-hand how ruthless he's been, and knows that he can't expect any less from his pursuers, though they might be more merciful than he ever was.

[hugo_from_TN]

13. Autocrats don't retire

It's just not part of their genetic makeup. It's not about money.

[Catherina]

14. Turn on Al Jazeera now. Israel busily rallying support from world govts for Mubarak. n/t

[David__77]

16. His party.

They actually do feel that if he goes, Egypt is finished as a secular state, and that is entirely possible. Nonetheless, and Islamic republic may be more democratic than Egypt currently.

[Raschel]

17. His cronies that are in power throughout the middle east. If he goes easily

they're afraid it will encourage the rest of the Arab world to rid themselves of of their leaders as well.

[grahamhgreen]

20. I think that's it right there. They all know they could be next. In fact this could spread past

the ME.

In fact, we already have a people powered revolution sweeping South America....

[jonnyblitz]

21. good point. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. At this point lust for power

it is a common problem at the end of any dictatorship. They do NOT see the writing on the wall.