The Mess in Egypt

[thethe]

The Egyptian people need this. And they need to do it for themselves (by themselves).

More importantly in my opinion is that the non radical Muslims of the world need this.

 

[Dalyn]

More importantly in my opinion is that the non radical Muslims of the world need this.

You can argue that it is also important, but I don't think it is MORE important. Not even close.

 

[BedellBrave]

The work of the Brotherhood: link.

 

[BedellBrave]

My disdain for McCain and Graham is growing. SC please get rid of Lindsey.

 

[Hawk]

My disdain for McCain and Graham is growing. SC please get rid of Lindsey.

We managed to get lucky when DeMint walked away. Unfortunately, Lindsey is going to be a lifer. As a constituent, I generally appreciate his authority in the senate -- but he's pushing too hard on Egypt right now.

 

[Julio3000]

We managed to get lucky when DeMint walked away. Unfortunately, Lindsey is going to be a lifer. As a constituent, I generally appreciate his authority in the senate -- but he's pushing too hard on Egypt right now.

Speaking as a South Carolinan who's been disappointed by Graham more times than I can count, at least I can say that he seems to care about the responsibilities of governing—something that Jim DeMint showed absolutely no interest in during his tenure in the Senate.

 

[Julio3000]

My disdain for McCain and Graham is growing. SC please get rid of Lindsey.

Jeez, Bedell, you pick the one time Graham isn't blithely cheerleading us into a war to criticize him.

That said, I don't necessarily disagree with you about the larger situation, and I think that the magnitude and import of ME policy should transcend partisanship.

As others have noted, there's not a particularly good move on the board right now. This is a quote from the British Foreign Secretary:

'In a radio interview on Monday, William Hague, the British foreign secretary, said he did not accept that outsiders were powerless to influence events. “But we have to do our best to promote democratic institutions, to promote political dialogue and to keep faith with the majority of Egyptians who just want a free and stable and prosperous country,” he told the BBC.

“What we’ve done in Britain so far is that we have suspended projects with the Egyptian security forces. We have revoked a number of export licenses, and I think then among the European countries we should review together how we try to aid Egypt, what aid and assistance we give to Egypt in the future,” he said. He added, “Foreign policy is often about striking the right balance.”

He described the current crisis as bleak. “I think it will take years, maybe decades, to play out,” he said, “and through that we have to keep our nerve in clearly supporting democracy, democratic institutions, promoting dialogue and there will be many setbacks in doing that and we should not be surprised when they take place.”'

I think this is a pretty realistic assessment of the situation, particularly the sections that I highlighted. I don't think it was necessarily a bad play to give qualified support to the Morsi government initially, in that it was democratically elected and replacing a corrupt, autocratic regime. Right now, though, supporting either the military or the deposed government seems like contributing to more bloodshed. Your suggestion appears to support what would, in effect, be another Mubarak regime. Perhaps that's the best of a bunch of unattractive options, but I can't say it's a clear-cut favorite.

 

[Hawk]

Speaking as a South Carolinan who's been disappointed by Graham more times than I can count, at least I can say that he seems to care about the responsibilities of governing—something that Jim DeMint showed absolutely no interest in during his tenure in the Senate.

Agreed.

Whereabouts in SC, Julio?

Charleston here. And yes, I voted for Mark Sanford.

 

[Julio3000]

Agreed.

Whereabouts in SC, Julio?

Charleston here. And yes, I voted for Mark Sanford.

Upstate. I wish I were closer to your zip code.

Ha, good ol' Mark Sanford. I think he's a smart, talented guy whose main flaw is that he's about 10% as smart and talented as he thinks he is. I wouldn't have voted for him, but he's qualified to do the job.

 

[BedellBrave]

Jeez, Bedell, you pick the one time Graham isn't blithely cheerleading us into a war to criticize him.

That said, I don't necessarily disagree with you about the larger situation, and I think that the magnitude and import of ME policy should transcend partisanship.

As others have noted, there's not a particularly good move on the board right now. This is a quote from the British Foreign Secretary:

'In a radio interview on Monday, William Hague, the British foreign secretary, said he did not accept that outsiders were powerless to influence events. “But we have to do our best to promote democratic institutions, to promote political dialogue and to keep faith with the majority of Egyptians who just want a free and stable and prosperous country,” he told the BBC.

“What we’ve done in Britain so far is that we have suspended projects with the Egyptian security forces. We have revoked a number of export licenses, and I think then among the European countries we should review together how we try to aid Egypt, what aid and assistance we give to Egypt in the future,” he said. He added, “Foreign policy is often about striking the right balance.”

He described the current crisis as bleak. “I think it will take years, maybe decades, to play out,” he said, “and through that we have to keep our nerve in clearly supporting democracy, democratic institutions, promoting dialogue and there will be many setbacks in doing that and we should not be surprised when they take place.”'

I think this is a pretty realistic assessment of the situation, particularly the sections that I highlighted. I don't think it was necessarily a bad play to give qualified support to the Morsi government initially, in that it was democratically elected and replacing a corrupt, autocratic regime. Right now, though, supporting either the military or the deposed government seems like contributing to more bloodshed. Your suggestion appears to support what would, in effect, be another Mubarak regime. Perhaps that's the best of a bunch of unattractive options, but I can't say it's a clear-cut favorite.

I've never been a Lindsey fan....never. And I have specifically said to stay out of this. Or if not that, then support a secular-military-Christian coalition behind the scenes.

 

[BedellBrave]

We managed to get lucky when DeMint walked away. Unfortunately, Lindsey is going to be a lifer. As a constituent, I generally appreciate his authority in the senate -- but he's pushing too hard on Egypt right now.

He's McCain's toadie.

 

[Julio3000]

What is it with you and my posting history? I've never been a Lindsey fan....never. And I have specifically said to stay out of it. Or if not that then support a secular-military-Christian coalition behind the scenes.

Sorry, I probably didn't make myself clear. I didn't mean for that to be a dig at you or suggest any previous affinity for Lindsey. My point was that you don't strike me as a particular warmonger or being in favor of precipitous intervention overseas, in contrast to John McCain's Mini-Me, who seems to always be popping off about writing bloody checks that other people's kids—here and elsewhere—are going to have to cash. So it was funny that you singled Lindsey out for criticism when he was somewhat uncharacteristically promoting slow play and soft power.

 

[BedellBrave]

No need to be sorry Julio. I went back and edited my response a bit to take the edge off. It was a rough day and I had responded too harshly.

 

[50PoundHead]

Walter Russell Mead article in a recent Wall Street Journal. Agree or disagree, some good information and viewpoints.

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324619504579028923699568400.html