There are reports in some of the local media in the Middle East that the Egyptian army arrested a group of terrorists who are members of Hamas. The arrests took place in Cairo after the terror cell arrived in Egypt's capital from Iran. According to the reports, the terrorists had weapons and bomb making supplies with them and were planning on attacking various places in and around Cairo. The arrests have led the Egyptian army to place stringent restrictions on Hamas personnel and those who would enter Egypt from Gaza.
This story is extremely important if it is true. I say "if it is true", because frequently the news in the Middle East would best be reported by starting each story with the following words: "we hear a rumor that .........."
At the current time, the president of Egypt has been floundering, to put it mildly. President Morsi has made a habit of both over-reaching and under-performing. He tried to grab the powers of a dictator and riots in the streets forced him to back down. He tried to install his Moslem Brotherhood teammates into total power and again was forced to back down. There are ongoing demonstrations in Cairo. The Egyptian economy is falling apart. All manner of ills are hitting the country and Morsi seems unable to respond.
The Egyptian military is the only national institution in that country that holds the respect of the people. It is viewed as non-political and it has acted that way since the start of the uprising against Hosni Mubarak last year. Were the army to join those who want to see Morsi gone, it would be unlikely that the president could continue in office. Thus, if the army is now taking action against Hamas, it is extremely significant. Hamas, after all, is an outgrowth of the Moslem Brotherhood among the Palestinians. Morsi may be forced to choose between his position as president and his idelogical bond with Hamas. Either way the choice results in less influence for Hamas.
It would be nice to think that America is trying to urge this movement forward. Let's wait and see if the state department or president Obama gets involved in this matter at all. I suggest that no one holds his breath waiting for that to happen.
This story is extremely important if it is true. I say "if it is true", because frequently the news in the Middle East would best be reported by starting each story with the following words: "we hear a rumor that .........."
At the current time, the president of Egypt has been floundering, to put it mildly. President Morsi has made a habit of both over-reaching and under-performing. He tried to grab the powers of a dictator and riots in the streets forced him to back down. He tried to install his Moslem Brotherhood teammates into total power and again was forced to back down. There are ongoing demonstrations in Cairo. The Egyptian economy is falling apart. All manner of ills are hitting the country and Morsi seems unable to respond.
The Egyptian military is the only national institution in that country that holds the respect of the people. It is viewed as non-political and it has acted that way since the start of the uprising against Hosni Mubarak last year. Were the army to join those who want to see Morsi gone, it would be unlikely that the president could continue in office. Thus, if the army is now taking action against Hamas, it is extremely significant. Hamas, after all, is an outgrowth of the Moslem Brotherhood among the Palestinians. Morsi may be forced to choose between his position as president and his idelogical bond with Hamas. Either way the choice results in less influence for Hamas.
It would be nice to think that America is trying to urge this movement forward. Let's wait and see if the state department or president Obama gets involved in this matter at all. I suggest that no one holds his breath waiting for that to happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment