A people's Revolution

No I think we all understand international relationships are difficult, and never as black and white as we would like it to be.

Countries have to form all kinds of partnerships, and no nation is completely altruistic in it's dealing with the world, everyone has an angle. That's fair enough.

But Joe Biden could have pretended to pay lip service to the ideals of democracy. But he didn't even think that was necessary, straight up, no, he's not a dictator.

Define dictator then, Joe?

Sorry, I didn't mean to be flippant.

The US are in a delicate position:

- if they support the protests which then fail, they piss off Egypt, an important ally in the region

- additionally all othe rregional governments get jumpy, accuse the US of meddling, clam down harder on their societies

- if they do nothing they get castigated for not supporting the people's democratic will
 
History was never my strong point :(

It does get confusing when one minute he's the noble, secular leader in the region and the next minute the Butcher of Baghdad :smirk:

At least this time we know that Mubarak's always been a great guy.
mubarak-obama-peace.jpg
 
- if they support the protests which then fail, they piss off Egypt, an important ally in the region

No they won't piss off Egypt, just Mubarak and his fellow gangsters and maybe the Saudi royal family degenerates. The people of Egypt would most likely be eternally grateful.

- additionally all othe rregional governments get jumpy, accuse the US of meddling, clam down harder on their societies


The US has been supporting dissidents in places like Syria and Iran for decades, don't see why they should suddenly stop at Egypt. ;)

- if they do nothing they get castigated for not supporting the people's democratic will

Absolutely.
 
Sorry, I didn't mean to be flippant.

The US are in a delicate position:

- if they support the protests which then fail, they piss off Egypt, an important ally in the region

- additionally all othe rregional governments get jumpy, accuse the US of meddling, clam down harder on their societies

- if they do nothing they get castigated for not supporting the people's democratic will


Pissing off Egypt is a non-issue. Egypt relies on billions from the US every year, After Israel I think Egypt receives the largest amount of US Aid.

Egypt being friendly with Israel is not an issue, that's done and dusted, 30+ years of peace, no matter what happens, that won't be in danger of lapsing into anything else.

The regional regimes can all do one....hehe.

I don't expect the US President or Sec of State declaring their support for the fall of Husni, Liverpool winning the league is more likely, but at least don't be ambiguous with your statement.
 
-State TV has been overrun/taken over by protesters, but Presidential Guard heading towards it to regain control.

-Curfew now countrywide, not just in Alexandria, Cairo, Suez
 
Supposedly parts of the army have sided with the protesters, this could get even more interesting!
 
History was never my strong point :(

They also did in the case of Afghanistan, inviting Taliban spokesman to the State Department and Taliban members to Houston to discuss a pipeline proposal.
 
-US saying they will review annual aid package to Egypt based on how the events on the ground are dealt with

-Egyptian Army Chief of Staff flying home from the US, cutting short an official visit.
 
Surprisingly(pleasantly) press briefing from the State Department and spokesperson Robert Gibbs.

Egyptians have legitimate demands that date back years, and the Egyptian government needs to show substantive actions to placate protesters.

President Obama has not spoken to President Mubarak.
 
Hope the museum isn't at risk

2135: The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the military are reported to have moved in to protect the Egyptian museum, where some of the world's great treasures are stored, in the midst of the demonstrations.
 
Hope the museum isn't at risk

2135: The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the military are reported to have moved in to protect the Egyptian museum, where some of the world's great treasures are stored, in the midst of the demonstrations.

I think the Museum is safe, this isn't the Taliban attacking the Statues at Bamyan. Egyptians are proud of their heritage and history, but I can understand the military moving into secure the area, unruly mobs are just that unruly mobs.

Also if this is what the military is doing, and not attacking citizens, good on them.
 
Hope the museum isn't at risk

2135: The BBC's Jon Leyne in Cairo says the military are reported to have moved in to protect the Egyptian museum, where some of the world's great treasures are stored, in the midst of the demonstrations.

I wouldn't worry about it, most the good stuff's in the British Museum anyway
 
A mate of mine of Facebook is saying that there are unconfirmed reports that Mubarak is on hi way to, or on, a jet to Switzerland
 
No he's giving a speech on Egyptian TV(it could be taped of course) but I doubt it.

Oh and why the feck do none of the big news channels have good translators, the woman on CNN International...OMFG. :mad:
 
It's live I think, it's all over the news.
 
He's taking the piss...rambling on about unemployment, housing, and standing side by side with the poor.

He won't be going anywhere.
 
He doesn't look like he's 82 at all. Ah, what perennial power does to our looks.
 
Hosni confirms he is still in power, and they will hold a parliamentary meeting on Sunday. Regrets loss of life on both sides. The demonstrations would not have been possible had there been no relaxation of civil liberties. :wenger:

A gist of what I caught on TV.
 
Hope Avs' OK.
 
Apparently protesters formed a human chain round the museum to protect it

Phew.

Another twitter update: People are apparently removing passwords from wifi routers so it's easier to get net access
 
He's staying the fecker, I read some threatening meanings in his speech as if he got the green light to use extreme force and the coming days will be bloody..
 
I'm hoping the fire will spread more East..

but seriously this little cretin doesn't know when to bugger off. :mad: