Egypt Critical Update #1 -Analysis

Dear all,

From time to time, I will use this space to post commentary on such current events as I deem of significant importance. Such is the case with the situation in Egypt. The role of a new Egypt, free of US control, could forever shift the balance of power in the Middle East, thus my decision to exercise my emergency powers to temporarily move this into political news and analysis mode in solidarity with the struggle of the people of Egypt.

Egypt update: 100 killed in demonstrations-Cabinet resigns-Army occupies key positions in major cities-Demonstrators defy curfew.

Brief analysis:

I am concerned about the Army. Even as they have not confronted and clashed with the demonstrators yet. I worry that its mass mobilization might be intentionally aimed at preventing a true and more radical, bottom-up led transition, thus the army serving as guarantor of a more moderate and US friendly political class/military led transition ( if not outright force a dialogue with Mubarak and keep him in power). People have clearly said no to dialogue with Mubarak! He must resign. He's a pathetic US puppet and an obstacle to liberation in the region, and Egyptians know it and hate him for it.

In order not to lose momentum, I would hope that the organized opposition would call immediately for a new interim government to  be formed via a popular congress composed of all opposition parties. People must then be mobilized to displace the army and occupy all key government buildings themselves and declare the new transitional government formed and the army under it's control. See what the army does then...

Best place to keep informed live:

http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/2007829161423657345.html