Fox News did our nation an important service last night when it aired an exclusive interview by its anchor, Bret Baier, with Egypt's president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (see: Fox News Story), in which the Egyptian leader said many things that American citizens should find encouraging:
1) He called for an "Arab-ready" force to battle the Islamic State (ISIS),
2) He asked Muslims around the world to stand up to the more radical elements of Islam in a religious revolution. (I have called it a reformation ... see: A Modern Crusade.)
3) He hinted that the United States may not be on Egypt's side in that it had suspended arms shipments to his country after the coup that ousted that Muslim Brotherhood dictator, Mohammed Morsi ... and still is holding back on critical needed materials.
4) When asked how his Arab allies view America's (read Obama's) leadership in the region, he responded, "Difficult question."
This interview was continually (and strangely) interrupted by transmission difficulties and didn't touch on other issues that would have been revealing ... such as Egypt's offer to the Palestinian Authority to extend the Gaza Strip lands with a huge chunk of the Sinai peninsula ... see: The Impossible Dream.
Clearly the Obama administration is still on the outs with Egypt over el-Sisi's removal of the Muslim Brotherhood from its government, but, in doing so, it is failing to recognize one of the real hopes to counter radical Islam encroachments around the world.
If el-Sisi continues on his current tack, I am convinced that history will treat him with more kindness than Obama. George Will has even gone so far to suggest that el-Sisi should win the Nobel Peace Prize. I concur.
Interesting that you omitted the fact that the Morsi pro muslim brotherhood govt was ELECTED by the populace in a democratic process, and overthrown by a military junta. Could that be why the US Obama admin has not overtly warmed-up?
ReplyDeleteAnd you omit the fact that Morsi was rapidly demolishing the democratic process in Egypt before he was overturned. As a result, the size of the anti-Morsi crowds were much larger than the crowds that ousted his predecessor.
DeleteWell, that settles it, replace elections and establish leadership by size of protest crowds. Screw the principles of Democracy if not convenient.
DeleteI think it was Morsi who screwed the principles of democracy.
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