The tanks are rolling in Egypt

[MillCreek]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/03/19261466-supporters-of-egyptian-president-say-military-coup-is-under-way?lite

It looks as though a military coup is going on in Egypt right now.

[roo_ster]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/03/19261466-supporters-of-egyptian-president-say-military-coup-is-under-way?lite

It looks as though a military coup is going on in Egypt right now.

Really, a military dictatorship is the best that can be practically implemented in that part of the world.  Brutes can only be ruled by a greater brute.

In something of a call to arms, the military posted on Facebook: “We swear to God to sacrifice with our blood for Egypt and its people against any terrorist, extremist or ignoramus. Long live Egypt and its proud people.”

I can respect that^^^.

I have no illusions that the Egyptian military will usher in an era of Swiss-like stability and liberality.  My hope is for a more stable regime that is less awful than the orthodox islamic theocrats.

[Scout26]

And  apparently Morsi called BHO to help bail him out.  Not sure where "we" stand in all this.

[MillCreek]

If there is a MEU nearby, I would not be averse to sending a chopper to evacuate him out.

[lee n. field]

0. is monitoring the situation.  Will head to bed soon.

[HankB]

Seems that BHO is none too popular with some of the protesters in Egypt - here's a link to some images that make things clear. (Ignore the spelling and grammar - the sentiment still comes through.)

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2013/07/15-photos-from-tahrir-square-protests.html

Also came across an allegation that the logo of Egypt's Islamist Salafi Al Nour party bears at least a passing resemblance to  another familiar logo . . . just a coincidence, I'm sure.

[French G.]

Egypt's military has be a guarantor of stability for awhile. If they stick to their core principles it could be good.

Core principles:
1. Don't annoy cash cow canal.
2. Don't piss of Israel again.
3. Avoid extremist idiots in charge, see #1-2.

[slingshot]

We'll see how this goes.....  White House stance is to stay out of it.

It is a coup of sorts....  guess they'll try this one more time.  Figure we can't do much worse than Morsi.  New Constitution.  New elections.

[agricola]

This is a disaster - Morsi and the MB were useless, they would have lost the next election and would have discredited Salafists all over the region.  Instead they get ousted by a military coup that will do no better than they did in running the country, will get blamed for it and will probably result in worse people coming to power the next time an election is held.

[lupinus]

And  apparently Morsi called BHO to help bail him out.  Not sure where "we" stand in all this.

As I understand it from the news report I saw earlier he was gently advised that when the people AND the military are pissed, he should probably do as they ask. And no, we wont be helping sway them.

[makattak]

This is a disaster - Morsi and the MB were useless, they would have lost the next election and would have discredited Salafists all over the region.  Instead they get ousted by a military coup that will do no better than they did in running the country, will get blamed for it and will probably result in worse people coming to power the next time an election is held.

This "next election" thing you refer to. What was the likelihood it would have actually occurred?

[AZRedhawk44]

As I understand it from the news report I saw earlier he was gently advised that when the people AND the military are pissed, he should probably do as they ask. And no, we wont be helping sway them.

Gee... that sounds like good advice.  In ANY country.  Including this one.

[agricola]

This "next election" thing you refer to. What was the likelihood it would have actually occurred?

Considerably higher than it is now - dont forget of the two main elections that have taken place since Mubarak was booted out (elections which were free and fair), the Mubarak-appointed Supreme Court threw out the results of one, and the largely Mubarak-appointed SCAF have just changed the result of the other (after changing the terms of the Presidency the day before Morsi won).

[French G.]

It is an interesting and somewhat valid point that an ouster now will prevent complete discredit of the MB at the next election. The counterpoint I see to that is that the next election is on right now. Apparently Egyptians, unlike us, mean it when they vote for hope and change.

[kgbsquirrel]

Egypt's military has be a guarantor of stability for awhile. If they stick to their core principles it could be good.

Core principles:
1. Don't annoy cash cow canal.
2. Don't piss of Israel again.
3. Avoid extremist idiots in charge, see #1-2.

Those seem like an excellent place to begin for maintaining at least a modicum of stability in their neighborhood. More power to them if they can pull it off. At least the Egyptians have one major national institution that they more or less trust. Beats the crap out of their neighbors where the populace has a negative rapport with the entirety of their government, civil/police/military/etc.

[Stand_watie]

White house to blame an american made youtube video in 3, 2, 1 ....

[roo_ster]

The point has been made elsewhere that the largest sector in Egypt's economy is tourism and that Egypt has to import over 50% of its food/calories. 

Since the MB & affiliated violent muslim parties took over, they have managed to kill the tourism industry with their violence.  They even went so far as to appoint the head of a terrorist group that massacred tourists at a popular site as governor of that area.  That did not go down well with the locals.

If Egypt's military can manage merely to stop the killing and raping of tourists and get folks to visit Egypt again, they will be a smashing success to all the Egyptians who are fond of eating.

[MillCreek]

I was listening to NPR on the drive home.  Egypt gets $ 1.3 billion in aid from the US each year, and 80% of that goes right back to buying American arms for the Egyptian military.

[French G.]

Egypt actually has 2 things going for them that no other islamic state in the area has. The canal and a huge tourist draw to non-muslims. Every time their country goes retard they lose huge amounts of foreign tourist dollars.

[Scout26]

And he backs Morsi.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2013/07/03/obamas-statement-on-egypt/

[French G.]

Holy facepalm Batman! We truly are led by an idiot.

[slingshot]

Obama seems to be backing Morsi.  The Administration said they are deeply concerned.... well, I'm deeply concerned about just who this Administration backs.  They seem to pick to wrong guy.  Egypt needs a conservative non-religious leader who is interested in economics and administering the country not allowing it to change into another MB terrorist state that will align with Iran and eventually reek havoc in the Middle East.

[Scout26]

Obama never seems to miss the opportunity to miss the opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian people aren't as enamored of Obama as the MSM would like you to believe:

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-07-02/guest-post-egyptians-love-us-our-freedom

[French G.]

Let's get this immigration reform thing rolling, their is already a small Copt community in my area. Import some voters that don't love the 2nd coming.

[Scout26]

Seems like the Egyptians don't particularity care for the Muslim Brotherhood. 

http://news.yahoo.com/egypt-interim-president-sworn-amid-crackdown-132645527.html