You’d be hard-pressed to find another commentator who warned, at the height of the Arab Spring nearly three years ago, that today Egyptians would be hailing as their savior a military dictator who makes Mubarak look positively Jeffersonian. Or one who warned that the world would be witnessing Mubarak’s imprisoned-kleptomaniac kids acquitted on corruption charges, while members of the Muslim Brotherhood’s democratically elected government, including former president Mohamed Morsi himself, are imprisoned on political charges.
Yet here’s how the media are reporting on the rise of General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi:
In one shop in this bustling capital’s core, Egypt’s top army chief is everywhere: giving a speech, getting kissed by a beautiful girl, marching in uniform — all images imprinted on chocolate.
‘He saved the country from the Muslim Brothers,’ said sweet shop owner Bahira Galal of Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose visage can be ordered on a sheet cake or on a batch of bright red balloons with the phrase ‘Long Live Egypt.’
(USA Today, October 29, 2013)
And here’s how they’re reporting on the acquittal of Mubarak’s sons:
Two sons of ousted autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, along with his last prime minister, were acquitted Thursday on corruption charges in a case that suggested a reversal of fortune for members of the government overthrown in the so-called Arab Spring of 2011.
The acquittal of Mubarak’s two sons Gamal and Alaa, together with Ahmed Shafiq, the last prime minister to serve under Mubarak, was a reminder of the near-total power once enjoyed by the president and his inner circle.
Four retired generals were acquitted as well, according to Egyptian state media.
(Los Angeles Times, December 19, 2013)
But I warned it would be thus, here with respect to ousting Mubarak with another dictator:
With all due respect to the protesters, the issue is not whether Mubarak will go, for he will. (The man is 82 and already looks half dead for Christ’s sake!) Rather, the issue is who will replace him. And it appears they have not given any thought whatsoever to this very critical question.
The devil Egyptians know might prove far preferable to the devil they don’t. Just ask the Iranians who got rid of the Mubarak-like Shah in 1979 only to end up with the Ayatollah — whose Islamic revolution they’ve regretted (and have longed to overturn) ever since….
(“Army Pledges No Force Against Protesters,” The iPINIONS Journal, February 1, 2011)
Here with respect to his sons getting off:
I suspect that having him wheeled into court on his hospital bed every day during trial and this reported health crisis now are all part of a charade orchestrated by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces – the military generals who still (and will continue to) rule Egypt – to exaggerate Mubarak’s downfall and suffering. Furthermore, I suspect that he agreed to play along because he was assured not only that his sons would be acquitted, but that they would be able to keep millions in ill-gotten gains to live a very comfortable life in exile (no matter what additional show trials they must endure in the short term).
Not to mention that the “prison” where Mubarak has been (and will continue) living out his last days would probably make the retirement home of any multimillionaire seem like a humble shack.
(“Protesters Return to Tahrir Square,” The iPINIONS Journal, June 6, 2012)
And here with respect to Obama propagating the fatuous prospect of the military ushering in a new era of democracy:
I also find it curious that Obama is effectively calling on the Egyptian military to guarantee the protesters’ democratic aspirations. Ironically, he and other Western leaders seem to believe that the best way to transition from Mubarak’s dictatorship to democracy is by installing a de facto military dictatorship.
The problem, however, is that in almost every case where this strategy has been deployed (e.g. in Pakistan and Burma) the military ends up overstaying its welcome … by years, if not decades.
(“Crisis in Egypt: the End Game,” The iPINIONS Journal, February 4, 2011)
Enough said?
Related commentaries:
Army pledges no force…
Protesters return…
Crisis in Egypt…