The Disunited Arab Republic

In the 1960s, Syria and Egypt were "united" as one country called the United Arab Republic.  Even back then, the unification was a fiction since both Egypt and Syria continued to function as separate countries.  The "union" was just a fiction of pan-arab nationalism.  Today, however, Syria and Egypt are both in chaos.  Syria is in the third year of a civil war that has killed about 110,000 people and left millions homeless.  Egypt just had its second governmental overthrow in same period, and today brings the first deaths in that coup as pro-Morsi protesters were shot by police when they attacked a military installation where Morsi was believed to be held.

Today was designated by the Moslem Brotherhood as a day of opposition to the ouster of Morsi.  Despite the deaths of three or more at the hands of the police, the day of opposition seems to have failed for now.  The numbers of people in the streets of Cairo were nowhere near those who previously were in the streets calling for the ouster of Morsi.  The key in Egypt is how the new government reacts.  If the new rulers follow the Assad playbook and attack their opponents militarily, there may be a civil war in Egypt soon.  If they try to include the opposition in the negotiations for the new government structure, there may be a peaceful future for the country.  There surely are those who want everything to blow up.  There are, however, many more who want peace.  Let's hope they prevail.