Breaking Turkish PM says Mubarak

[malaise]

must listen to the people of Egypt.

[dipsydoodle]

1. Meanwhile

BBC are reporting that Israel are happy with the appointment of Omar Suleiman as VP.

That is of course the same Omar Suleiman who ran the torture and rendition program in Egypt for the USA.

[malaise]

2. Live BBC coverage here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12307698


Too late - Egyptians will not accept Omar Suleiman.

Israel must be worried that real change in Egypt will mean they too will be forced to change re building settlements on other people's land.
Can't wait for the Israelis to demand that Netanyahu resign in the name of real peace.

Fuck all the neo-cons - take them all down now.

[KharmaTrain]

3. The Fear Is 50 Million Enemy On Your Doorstep

I was in Israel in 1969 and every night the newscast showed another dog fight between Israeli and Egyptian Air Forces over the Suez and the ongoing promises of Nasser to drive Israel into the sea. That's where the anxiety is. While these two countries have been "at peace", it's a cold one at best...but it has maintained a security status quo that could be wiped away if a fundamentalist or populist government takes over. While I detest the Likudniks this is an anxiety shared today by all Israelis.

[malaise]

4. I can understand people being anxious but

unless the factors that inhibit peace including many of their own policies are removes, the anxiety will never end.
Time for fundamental change all around that area.

[Delphinus]

5. I think

the PEOPLE want peace. It's the governments that have the wars and the fights.

[malaise]

9. That's the truth

This planet is run by greedy self interested capitalists.

[chimpymustgo]

6. It's time for justice and change and peace. The PEOPLE are speaking.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Unfortunately Look Who They're Speaking To...

...soldiers with guns who are currently under orders not to shoot. They're also speaking among themselves as there's no real opposition in any position to set up a government. I'm hoping that we'll see a peaceful revolution where there is a transitional government of some sort that leads towards a more democratic system, but I'm also very aware that the politics and culture of the region say we'll see one strongman replaced with another. My hopes are whomever fills that void does so in a benevolent manner and not aspiring to the pent up nationalistic and religious passions that could divide the country and lead to real chaos.

[chimpymustgo]

10. The "culture" of the region? Just who props up those "strongmen"?

[KharmaTrain]

11. Shall We Go Back To The Pharaoes?

Or the Greeks or Romans or French or British? We're the current "big daddy" but the culture of this region has been one of autocratic leaders backed by the military. There are few democratic institutions in Egypt and this is what will complicate any popular movement...a lack of experienced leadership and, at this point, any real agenda once they are in power. The real game here is who controls the military. Our influence with that military can be beneficial if it promotes change within the limitations of interfering in the country's internal affairs.

[KharmaTrain]

7. Chicken And Egg...

I agree...however there's such a cycle of distrust and intolerance in that region any change is view in the most pestimistic terms. The rare moments of peace have alway resulted in the bloodshed instigated by various parties (Likud, Hamas) that thrive in hatred and polarization. The damn thing about a revolution is you never quite know how things will turn out. While I cheered the ouster of the Shah, I sure wasn't too wild about what followed. The problem with the opposition in Egypt is they want change but have no real agenda or leadership to do so. Any power vacuum is going to revolve around the military and their support at this point is unknown. That's what has a lot of people in this country, Israel and throughout the Middle East on edge.