In 1952, Egypt (in Egyptian Arabic, مصر, Miṣr – don’t even bother attempting to pronounce the dark ‘r’) had a revolution and later a military coup d’état, overthrowing the last Egyptian king, Farouk I (whose sister so happened to be the first wife of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi). Gamal Abdel Nasser assumed full power in 1956 until he died three years after the Six-Day War with Israel, whereby Anwar Sadat took over in 1970. When Sadat was assassinated in 1981 by Khalid Islambouli (who got his very own street in Tehran until being renamed in 2001 to improve still shaky relations with Egypt), he was succeeded by his Vice President and former high ranking Air Force officer, Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled his entire tenure under emergency law. In short, while Egypt may have exported the idea of Nasserism, of the Arab Republic, it seems to have never been able to shake the idea of a Pharaoh. And the irony is is that now the monarchies and emirates of the Arab world seem more flexible and open to change and personal freedoms than the promise of liberation that pan-Arab nationalism had touted.
Since Tunisia, as I wrote in my last article, From the Embers, Jasmine, we have seen copycat self-immolations and demonstrations From Mauritania in the West to Jordan in the East of the Arab world. While no country faces the same set of dynamics or conditions, there are still similarities. But no country in the Arab world is as critical as Egypt, its most populous country. Despite a tenuous relationship with the Arab League since making peace with Israel in 1979, it remains the heart of the region culturally (except for being outproduced in music output by Lebanon) and, perhaps, politically. Add to this being the second largest recipient of US foreign aid (behind Israel and not including Iraq and Afghanistan), and straddling atop a geopolitically vital position, the stakes are high with Egypt. And this may be why unlike Tunisia, this time we’re paying attention.
And pay attention we should when tens of thousands take to the streets, despite severe warnings, across Egypt against a repressive dictator upon whom we rely. The questions remain of who would take over in any power vacuum, with most pointing to the Muslim Brotherhood, though the January 25th protests were organized by the youth, utilizing social media. Former IAEA director and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mohamed ElBaradei, returning from Vienna, has positioned himself as the only readily recognizable opposition voice, though there are actually a few groups (a who’s who) organizing protests. This is happening, like Tunisia, from the grass roots level on up.
For the US this leaves many questions. We’ve been caught in a feedback loop, I am afraid. We support Mubarak as a critical ally in the region, especially vis-à-vis Israel, whose iron fist rule further exacerbates the Islamist extremism he is a bulwark against, and in doing so perpetuates the paradoxical problem – alienating the vast middle of Egyptian society. Though Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for reform, what does that mean exactly, especially when the tear gas and bullets being used against protesters are American? Aside from being allowed to assemble and communicate freely, would we really be comfortable with election results that weren’t an outright sham (see Hamas in 2006)?
We have an impossible dilemma. And, while Mubarak falling may seem unlikely at this point (I said the same of Ben Ali weeks before that happened), we need to ask ourselves if we think the people of Egypt will soon forget whose side we’ve been on for all these years. As if we’ve learned nothing from the Shah’s fall (who was also deemed ‘stable’ until the moment he fled).
As I write this the official number of protesters arrested stands at 1,000. If Egypt is anything like Iran and similar regimes, I would double those as a rule of thumb. And it is likely to grow as protesters continue to descend upon the ruling National Democratic Party’s local headquarters, and as Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other cities have turned into “war zones” (pictures) with protesters not daunted by riot trucks, but pelting and charring them instead, that we shall see just how effective the coming crackdown is in breaking their resolve or not.
HELPFUL LINKS
It is simply an overwhelming prospect for me to here include and assemble all videos and details of these protests which started Tuesday, January 25th. So, view the space below as a clearing house for us to gather and share everything developing in Egypt, Tunisia, and beyond.
Some of my favorite places to find information and analyses are:
EA World
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/category/ea-middle-east-and-turkey
Foreign Policy
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/
Global Voices
http://globalvoicesonline.org/-/world/middle-east-north-africa/egypt/
Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/
Al Arabiya
http://www.alarabiya.net/en_meast.html
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/egypt
BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world/middle_east/
http://www.npr.org/sections/world/
The Daily Beast
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsmaker/upheaval-in-egypt/
Democracy Now!
http://www.democracynow.org/tags/egypt
Jadaliyya
The Arabist
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/abuaardvark
http://twitter.com/AymanM
http://twitter.com/SultanAlQassemi
http://twitter.com/DannyRamadan
Or, a more complete who to follow Twitter guide from Foreign Policy. [H/T bito]
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/02/01/who_to_follow_on_egypt
This might come in handy:
Whatever happens, a psychological barrier has been broken, and in the age of the internet, no more do these regimes have a monopoly on information.
Time may fear the pyramids, but does Mubarak fear time?
A timeline thus far.
Images courtesy Muhammad Ghafari.
I think we should be very careful .
What is the proof that he really is there?
We have nothing to verify this like so many other news stories. Are we being spoon fed an illusion?
It is like the Ken Lay situation all over. We have no proof the man really died.
Is this the ploy to have Mubarak have tons of plastic surgery, change his look and disappear with all the money he really stole from the Egyptian people?
Mubarak in Life/Death State in German Hospital
http://www.examiner.com/foreign-policy-in-national/mubarak-life-death-state-germany-hospital
Apparently, he’s in a coma and clinging to life. I just read this a few minutes ago. Thought I’d provide a link for anyone who hadn’t heard.
I just checked the German magazine “Spiegel”. So far there is no mention about that – in their article on the main they ponder several possibilities where he is, yet none of them is Germany.
Maybe that reporting is incorrect then.
No idea, if there was no official report the media may not know. Although it is hard to believe that they wouldn’t know something of that caliber. In any case I keep checking and let you know should it get confirmed.
— Abraham Lincoln
Compare that with the modern Republican Party.
It’s like the difference between night and day.
Al Jazeera: Algeria’s police crack down on protesters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdnp3qvMFwU
Analysis on Algeria and Yemen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLx-fNDwjSI
Cairo cleans up after revolution
Mubarak’s final hours: Desperate bids to stay
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110212/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_egypt_mubarak_s_final_hours
My initial kindness was wrong. He really did apparently think he could ride it out.
Sweet interactive map of Tahrir.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12434787
Allahu Akbars on Tehrani rooftops
It would have been far better if HM had decided to bow out gracefully. Alas…I guess giving up absolute power must be very difficult. Sometimes the eye tricks a person and makes them blind to what others see so clearly.
Thanks for all the info.
Yemen: Pro-Government Forces Attack Demonstrators
http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/02/11/yemen-pro-government-forces-attack-demonstrators
Iran hinders web searches leading up to planned rally, sources say
http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/02/12/egypt.iran.rally/index.html
Scenarios for Egypt’s Future: How Democratic Will it Be?
http://www.juancole.com/2011/02/scenarios-for-egypts-future-how-democratic-will-it-be.html
Who Lost Egypt: Not Obama for Sure
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/11/who_lost_egypt_not_obama_for_sure
The 5 Dictators that should go next:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/11/whos_next
Khirad, if you run out of information 😉 The Lede has an impressive blogroll on their site.
And thanks for the Juan Cole, I lost him in all the shuffle.
Thanks bito, I actually heard the Lede did a great job. I was inundated as it was though! I’ll check it for some extra stuff.
Did you see me post this?
Khirad, thanks for grabbing my attention to the video. I saw it but didn’t have time to view it. Great translation. 🙂
I know you are overwhelmed with all your links and stories just thought the Lede’s BlogRoll was a handy reference for later.
And no more Hat Tips to you, guy, just take my hat while I give you a deep bow for your ME coverage. It has been fantastic from before the Green revolution to now. It would take me a month to read all that you have given us.
400 arrested in Algeria at rally demanding reforms
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/af_algeria_protest
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Algeria protesters break cordon
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201121235130627461.html
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfqjDtmaZJ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reEy-CujsAU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSxMZu_7AT8
“Le système algérien est condamné par l’Histoire”
http://www.france24.com/fr/20110212-systeme-algerien-condamne-histoire-algerie-said-saadi-egypte-police-manifestation-place-mai
For more dna-algerie.com. If you speak French, I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just might really need you.
Yemen:
The other Tahrir Square
http://www.al-bab.com/blog/2011/blog1102a.htm#the_other_tahrir_square
Back in Egypt.
Rut-Roh:
Egypt’s Army pledges democratic transition, keeps old NDP cabinet
“There will be a peaceful transition of power when the environment allows for a freely elected government that governs the land by democracy”
WTF? Haven’t I heard that somewhere before?
Khirad, I left you a link on Algeria from Foreign Policyyesterday and there was speculation on whether they would be the next to have an uprising.
That’s close to what they are saying about the lifting of ’emergency’ powers too, “when the conditions allow.”
It’s what the last Egyptian dictator said for 30 years, too. It’s what all these “emergency power” “Republics” say. “You know, I’d really love to lift them, but look! Danger! Over there!” Syria is under emergency power, as is Algeria, etc.
Algeria is a pretty familiar set of circumstances.
“You know, I’d really love to lift them, but look! Danger! Over there!” Syria is under emergency power, as is Algeria, etc.
So that is where republicans learned their tricks. No wonder they are so worried about Democracy in Egypt.
George W Bush – The Toy Story Cowboy and the 2004 election……Danger Orange!
It has been said that the best form of government is a benevolent dictatorship.
I’m not sure if I totally buy that, but I can see some truth there.
Even benevolent dictators are mortal. Daddies die. And then the kids have to grow up and govern themselves.
As long as it remains benevolent.
It is the most efficient, though.
Still, that doesn’t seem to stop corruption. Rather it seems to encourage it.
Khirad
Doesn’t France24 have an english site? This is the translation:
“The Algerian system is condemned by history”
And the link
system-Algerian-condemns-story-Algeria-said-saadi-egypt-police-square-May event
no I don’t speak french I just used google. I think the powers in the ME were right to be nervous. A taste of freedom is good, two tastes of freedom is catchy. Tunisia and Egypt. We might be in for a long haul with the ME from here.
One of these dictators is going to blow a gasket rather than deal with the people…….don’t you think?
Yes, France24 does, but with these things, the English stories are often late, fewer, and less comprehensive. Especially the French ones like Le Monde:
http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2011/02/12/suivez-en-direct-les-manifestations-en-algerie_1479002_3212.html
In any case, Algerian sites such as:
http://dna-algerie.com/
Are pretty much just French. I can get the gist too, but beyond that…
Cities: Algiers, Oran, Constantine, Annaba, Tizi Ouzou, and Bejaia.
Estimates are between the low-balling of 2,000 to the probably inflated number of 10,000 from opposition organizers.
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If you recall stories from way back on Valentine’s Day in Iran, you will be aware that the date is not lost on them for their protests Monday.
There’s a couple good posters here:
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/2/12/iran-love-protest-and-sacrifice-7-special-posters-for-25-bah.html
But a way better collection here:
http://www.facebook.com/25bahman#!/album.php?id=139858942745772&aid=28448
If you speak French, I hate to beat a dead horse, but I just might really need you
Jeez, Khirad – I’d love to help you out but my French is limited to Parlay Voo Frahnsay. I can’t believe in all the talent we have at the Planet that there isn’t a linguist or 3 around!!
Algeria braces for pro-democracy protest
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110212/ap_on_re_af/af_algeria_protest
Video from Yemen last night:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150135764583653
On-the-Ground view of the crowd in Tahrir hearing Mubarak was going.
A day by day progression of 18 days in 3:00
Bye bye Mubarak! – Pictures
http://english.aljazeera.net/photo_galleries/middleeast/201121119460587839.html
Brief profile of Tantawi, the head of Supreme Council, and basic facts of Egypt’s military force.
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/02/11/137247.html
Egypt’s Revolution 2.0: The Facebook Factor
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/612/egypts-revolution-2.0_the-facebook-factor
Be ready to be depressed. The view from within Saudi Arabia during Mubarak’s ousting.
http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/617/celebrations-shake-saudi-capital
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So, Bahman 22, the Anniversary of the Revolution of 1979 in Iran is to the Islamic Republic what the 4th of July is in the US. It is also used for great propagandistic effect and is a barometer of the regime’s support. If so,
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/2/12/the-latest-from-iran-12-february-the-regimes-day-came-and-it.html
Already the regime is focused on jailing journalists and activists in anticipation of planned demonstrations Monday.
Interview with Mehdi Karroubi.
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/2/11/iran-exclusive-an-interview-with-mehdi-karroubi-the-movement.html
Bahrain doles out money to families
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/02/201121251854857192.html
Jordanians demand change — just don’t touch the king
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/937790–jordanians-demand-change-but-not-too-much
Admiral Mike Mullen to visit Israel and Jordan
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/12/us-usa-israel-military-idUSTRE71B06420110212
I was curious what Haaretz had.
Leon Hader: Barack Obama is not Jimmy Carter
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/barack-obama-is-not-jimmy-carter-1.342646
U.S. Jewish groups congratulate Egyptians on ousting Mubarak
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/u-s-jewish-groups-congratulate-egyptians-on-ousting-mubarak-1.342853
The ADL could have simply left it at congratulations, I think.
We all know the concerns. Wait until tomorrow…
Khirad, good night, and what a wonderful night for Egypt and for the world. I feel blessed that I arrived at The Planet in time to share this historical moment with you and the other good people here.
I just read “My First E-Mail from a Free Egypt” that you posted earlier in the day and have tears in my eyes yet. Ma’assalama. Peace indeed.
Goodnight to you, as well.
President Obama’s remarks:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/02/11/remarks-president-egypt
I Write to You My First E-Mail from a Free Egypt
http://www.enduringamerica.com/home/2011/2/11/a-letter-to-ea-i-write-to-you-my-first-e-mail-from-a-free-eg.html
That 30 year old crying?
Rawya Rageh
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I didn’t even recognize it was her. She’s a regular Al Jazeera correspondent.
As is he:
Ayman Mohyeldin: What Mubarak’s departure means to me
Even the State Television anchor was genuinely happy when he was finally able to announce the news!
Egypt’s military leadership (profiles)
http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2011/02/201121185311711502.html
The New York Times also did profiles of the Armed Forces Supreme Council:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/02/10/world/middleeast/20110210-egypt-supreme-council.html
I hope it’s not a rerun of the Free Officers Movement legacy… or worse.
But guess who else has “waived their office”? Amr Moussa, the secretary-general of the Arab League (and an Egyptian).
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/egypt-moussa-resigns-from-arab-league-post.html
Mubarak assets frozen by Swiss government
http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/11/news/international/swiss_banks_mubarak/index.htm?section=money_topstories
Elsewhere:
Thousands of south Yemen protesters demand secession
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110211/wl_nm/us_yemen_protests_1
Something happened in Algeria too (help)
http://www.tsa-algerie.com/politique/le-siege-du-rcd-a-alger-assiege-par-la-police_14242.html
As they ramp up for tomorrow:
Algeria moves to stave off unrest
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/2011211195226600204.html
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In case you missed them, here’s my last three daily updates. Seems odd to go back now, but you can see the crescendo.
http://planetpov.com/2011/01/27/mubarak-half-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies/comment-page-2/#comment-84972
http://planetpov.com/2011/01/27/mubarak-half-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies/comment-page-7/#comment-83628
http://planetpov.com/2011/01/27/mubarak-half-sunk-a-shattered-visage-lies/comment-page-8/#comment-82293
Or, relive the moment the crowd found out Mubarak was stepping down:
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You know. My snap analysis here is that that was Mubarak’s legacy speech yesterday. That this may have been planned. Mubarak had given only vague intimations of changes, and it appeared he was being condescending – “my children” – but now I’m seeing it in a different context.
Maybe I’m wrong, and he was so delusion as to have provoked the crowd like that, or he was already planning on leaving, but wanted to get out of Cairo first – and the part about him dying on Egyptian soil was more of a plea, with his mind already considering exile.
Or, maybe at the last moment the Armed Forces Supreme Council pushed him out. But, earlier in Communiqué 2 they said they supported “Mubarak’s Plan”.
Who knows? That’s just some of what I’ve been thinking in retrospect. We should know a few more details in days (and years) to come.
I leave you with pictures from today:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/10/heartbreak_in_tahrir
Congratulations Egypt!
Wikileaks & Internet – 100!!!! MSM – ZERO!!!
Khirad – our understanding of what is happening would have been much less informed without all you’ve done for us. This victory is in no small part yours thanks to the amazing information and analysis you’ve offered us in the US and elsewhere. Thank you for being so present for all of us.
Thanks, C’Lady. 😳
Khirad I second that. You have been instrumental in helping us all to understand the customs and culture in the Middle East. We are very fortunate to have you.
A song for the people of Egypt, from Patty Griffin. I’ve loved this song for the symbolism it has for me, in that I was told that kites filled the skies in Afghanistan when the Taliban were ousted. Would that kites would once more rule! Please give it a listen when you have a chance.
Gorgeous.
My “son” in Nebraska is a genius and made me a true Afghan kite, out of tissue paper and with thread and glue and a bamboo frame, that he had carved and shaved. I cried and wouldn’t let anyone fly it. It rests in my closet still. But we made another one that we did fly. Oh my. They are so incredible.
Here’s some Egyptian music appropriate to the mood by the legend himself, Amr Diab.
Habibi Ya Nour El Ain – حبيبي يا نور العين
It says, “Embedding disabled by request.”
But I was able to open another window and get it on YouTube’s own page. Good tune!
Fixed. Skip to about 1:39 to get straight to this classic.
If you missed the announcement like I did (way to do some prep-cooking in the kitchen, doofus), here’s the announcement.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWnJ6hS7H7k
This was seen in Cairo yesterday:
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I can’t believe it, hours watching this just this morning alone, and I step away just long enough to miss it. It’s like missing the climax of a movie. 🙁
FYI: today Iran is celebrating the anniversary of their Revolution in 1979.
Boy have they been upstaged!
That’s a beautiful photo! I just read that the protesters interrupted helicopter traffic by flying kites. Yes, kites. I know this protest has not been without casualties, but the sight of millions of peaceful, determined UNARMED Egyptians is awe inspiring. Look at the rainbow. And, KITES!
I’d love to see that photo. I’ll have to go digging.
OH Khirad…:(