I wrote a couple of days ago about the problem posed by the Egyptian uprising to the rightie worldview — namely, which side to root for. From what I can see, the rightie blogosphere is divided between those who think the uprising was inspired by Condi Rice and is a vindication of George W. Bush’s pro-freedom foreign policy; and those who think the uprising is being led by the Muslim Brotherhood and secretly orchestrated by Barack Obama as part of his plot to turn the U.S. into a Muslim Caliphate. We could argue with opinion is nuttier, as if it matters, but let’s not.
Anyway, the first view is now muddied by the news that Israel is asking western nations to stop dissing Mubarak and instead take steps to prop up his regime. From Haaretz:
Jerusalem seeks to convince its allies that it is in the West’s interest to maintain the stability of the Egyptian regime. The diplomatic measures came after statements in Western capitals implying that the United States and European Union supported Mubarak’s ouster.
See also Ian Black at The Guardian.
Since the pro-Israel neocons at National Review are chief among those cheering for the uprising (as vindication of George W. Bush’s Middle Eastern policy), it’s going to be fun to see how, or if, NRO responds to this.
Yeah. Awesome, the irony. Watching the righties rush around madly and crash into each other is almost the funnest part of this show.
We could argue with opinion is nuttier,
The Muslim Brotherhood wins hands down!
In my little bonehead assessment I’d say the problem might lay somewhere between what we say and what we do. That idea seems to be the dilemma that Obama is currently facing now…How’s those Israeli- Palestinian peace talks coming along, BTW?
You’ve got no hope of progression when you are trying to work two diametrically opposing agendas to the same end. All you have to work with is lip service and people can see the inconsistency. Personally I’d toss Mubarak under the bus and give credence to my words.
Maybe if we could move towards energy independence and get the Hell out of the Middle East, we wouldn’t care what a growing apartheid state like Israel is thinking about uprisings in neighboring countries.
Having said that, it should be fun to watch the NR folks try walk everything their way.
The nerve of those Egyptians..How dare they jeopardize Israel’s US military aid package!
I don’t care at all what righties think or do. I’ve read that Egypt under Mubarek is about the only “friend” Israel has in the region, and so I’m far more concerned about figuring out the potential shift in the balance of power. I also learned that Egypt is second in line after Israel in terms of US aid received. Again, I don’t care at all what righties think or do – they’re the fools on the Titanic who are complaining about the wine or the commotion outside, as the ship is sinking.
Regardless of what happens in Egypt, you can be sure the righties will call for tax cuts and an increase in military aid to Israel.
Nothing will erode Mubarek’s remaining support at home and among his Arab neighbors than a perception that he has the backing of Israel. One wonder’s why the Israeli government made such statements publicly (reverse psychology, anyone?).
“One wonders why the Israeli government made such statements publicly”
I think the answer to that is Israel wants the U.S. and the E.U. to back and prop up a government in Egypt that will pose no threat to Israel.
Pretty simple.
Sadly, the people of Israel may have started a fire that will not be contained, and with U.S. troops rope-a-doped in Iraq and Afghanistan, they may be on their own.
Wikileaks, Al Jazeera, and the internet, who da thunk?
I’m not saying the violence will spill over into Israel, but the Israelis will soon have a new regime next door that is a bit more “robust” than Mubarak.
When in doubt, ask Eric, he’s the expert.
I want to see peace in the levant.
I also want a hot three way with Jenny McCarthey and Carmen Electra.
The possibility of either is dismal, but somehow, I’ll go on……..
One tidbit of Geopolitic that I still don’t understand is why Egypt has supported from their border, the blockade against Palistine, or whatever you propose to call the gulag that butts up against Egypt. Egypt could provide relief to the Gaza in defiance of Israel’s treatment of those people, but Mubarek doesn’t let it happen. Why?
In any case, a shift in power in Egypt will have implications for Israel and the containment and strategy to starve a people into submission.
Doug, Egypt supports the blockade because of their existing treaty with Israel (which requires them to secure their borders). Erinyes, Israel had to know that public statements in support of Mubarek would further erode his dwindling support. I heard on NPR this morning that the crowds are now chanting things like “Go back to Tel Aviv.” The fact that the Israelis made such statements in the media makes me doubt they really want the U.S. to prop up Mubarek (they would have made those statements privately to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama). I think they have read the tea leaves and want to speed up the resolution of the crisis before it spreads further.