Monday, 14 February 2011

Old habits die hard

 Please read Robert Fisk in The Independent.  If you want sharply focused, trenchant journalism and a better understanding of the current situation in Egypt and the wider Middle East, you have to read Robert Fisk.  From today's newspaper he writes, 'it is remarkable that just as Arab protesters mimic their successful counterparts in Egypt, the state security apparatus of each Arab regime faithfully follows the failed tactics of Mubarak's thugs.  (But) Another irony has dawned on Egyptians. Those Arab dictators which claim to represent their people – Algeria comes to mind, and Libya, and Morocco – have signally failed to represent their people by not congratulating Egypt on its successful democratic revolution. To do so, needless to say, would be to saw off the legs of their own thrones.'  The article also rings alarm bells about the role of the army and reminds us that the roots of such a repressive and long-lasting regime run deep and will not be easily removed.  Too many people have prospered for too long under Mubarak not to have a stake in the retention of at least some part of the state apparatus of repression. Fisk again puts it best: 'old habits die hard in young men wearing uniforms'.

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