[jeltz25]

If the MB is on the other end of the line we need to do whatever it takes to prevent that from happening. If we’re unable to prevent the MB from taking over Egypt then we have bigger problems than I thought.

Sometimes it’s not pretty but you have to do what you have to do.

Was Mubarak vacillating because we wouldn’t back him? If he felt he could count on our support would he have been firmer in responding? He’s faced MB protests before and dealt with them easily because he knew we were behind him.

I mean, the MB? Really? The MB, EIJ, GI. What a nightmare. They AZ’s boys. Not a pretty sight.

[swarthyguy]

>Was Mubarak vacillating because we wouldn’t back him?

I think that’s abundantly clear now. Leadership, a unified(from us) response, support for our longterm ally, warts and all....but we got inanities and cliches and hectoring masquerading as clear eyed strategic thinking.

Now we, the USA, are at the mercy of events.

[Smogger]

Well it's simplistic to say that this is simply an organized campaign by the Muslim Brotherhood to bring down the government. There is a volatile mix of protesters there, and we have no idea what percentage are hard core Islamists, just don't like Murbarak, or are just run-of the mill anarchists. The protests had already been going on for days when calls to join them were made by the MB.

It has been speculated that Mubarak let the protests play out in the hopes that they would peter out after awhile.