Well, just to be thorough, we might very well be able to save Mubarak if we and the Israelis and some of our western allies were willing to send troops in to impose order on the Egyptians. But, most everyone, including the Israelis, reject that option.
And, if we're not going to do what would be required to save Mubarak, then how can we really help? Who really thinks Mubarak or anyone would be helped by effusive public expressions of support for Mubarak by us, by the Israelis or by our western allies? Will it influence the Egyptian people in a positive way if we remind them just how useful and important Mubarak has been to us, to the Israelis and to our western allies?
Recognizing these problems, Israel has chosen to do and say nothing. We probably can't get away with complete silence, but we should try to say little more than that we support the Egyptian people at this critical time in their history.
Other leaders in the region recognize the realities and our limitations. They won't be confused.
Your analysis is excellent. The only thing we can do is try to send the “right messages” behind-the-scenes. Of course, the fact remains that we’d be in a much better position if our president were viewed as strong, smart and steady. Which he is not.