Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Claire Berlinski, Ed. ·
January 28, 2011 at 8:18pm
As soon as Judith puts her kids to bed, we're going to do a podcast about Egypt. If you have questions, we'll try to answer them, although I have to warn you in advance--any pundit who says he or she knows what's going to happen now is just yanking your chain.
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Dec '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Here's a question for Judith primarily, Claire secondarily: if the new Lebanese government attempts to sweep the UN Hariri tribunal results under the carpet and that leads to severe internal unrest within Lebanon, what are the odds that Hezbollah will launch a missile attack on Israel in an attempt to deflect the conflict into an external war?
Sep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Question for Claire and Judith:
What do the US Founding documents sound like to Middle Eastern ears if translated into their languages and read aloud? Can lightning strike twice?
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Claire, I made this comment last week(?). I'm concerned that the opportunists in the Middle East see Obama, the most Muslim-sympathetic president we will ever have (hopefully), as possibly only a one term president. Therefore, it's now or never and the clock is ticking quickly to 2012. What do you think?
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Since we can't stop this thing even if we wanted to, what could possibly be the downside of rhetorically throwing Mubarak under the bus, and ostentatiously so? It seems to be the only chance for having something pro-Western emerge (and if we don't, it virtually guarantees something anti-Western will emerge). No?
Edited on January 28, 2011 at 9:49pmSep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Claire & Judith,
Any insights on how the media in other Middle Eastern countries is covering this? Any thoughts on what nation might be next? Any ripple effects you foresee (e.g., increased oil prices, which drive greater Russian pressure on Central Europe, et.c)?
Thanks!
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Those rioting over there are Islamists and not interested in democracy...just Shariah Law. Am I wrong? Why are so many people seeing this as a potentially good thing? I'm feeling like Chicken Little.
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
KaneCountyFarmboy: Claire & Judith,
...Any thoughts on what nation might be next? ...
Jordan?
Sep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Andrea Ryan
KaneCountyFarmboy: Claire & Judith,
...Any thoughts on what nation might be next? ...
Jordan? · Jan 28 at 11:55am
To steal a Pat Buchanan line:
UC Berkeley.
Sep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Question for Claire: What's Turkey's position on the Egypt protests? What can, should and is Turkey doing in this situation?
Question for Judith: What's Israel's position on the Egypt protests? What can, should and is Israel doing in this situation?
Question for Judith & Claire: If Mubarak falls, what should the United States do?
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
1. Why do the people trust the army over the police? Is the army seen as independent, and the police force an arm of the executive? If a regime change comes quickly and uncontrolled, will the army be the thread holding the country together? (Egypt has the 10th largest active army in the world)
2. Similar to Scott's question, if we were to unequivocally side with the Egyptians, what is the worst that could happen? Would we legitimize a possible Islamist regime that comes to power? Would other leaders in unstable countries see us as fickle and untrustworthy?
3. What can an average and remote person do, besides keep up to date?
A third of the laptops in view are tuned in to what's going on. People care about this stuff.
Jul '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
I'm with you, Andrea. All this breathless chat about democracy arising from the street is hopelessly naive.
Jul '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
What do you think our other strong-man "allies" will think about that?
How many Middle Eastern & Central Asian leaders will cozy up to China, Russia, or Islamists knowing we won't back them if push comes to shove?
Maybe it's worth it Scott, but I doubt it would be cost-free.
Jul '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
What I'd like to hear Claire and Judith speculate about is the Iranian connection.
All of a sudden, in the space of a week, three regimes on Israel's borders - Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan - are under seige. By whom? And whose purposes does this unrest serve?
And why did Mohammed AlBaradei, an Iranian stooge, suddenly fly into Cairo?
Oct '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Looking at the present outcome of Tunisia, does it appear to be focused Westward? What does the present state of Tunisia portend for Egypt?
Sep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
I thought behind the scenes the military more or less call the shots in Egypt. Does the MB or other Islamist have much influence with the military as they do in several other M.E. countries?
May '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Kenneth
I'm with you, Andrea. All this breathless chat about democracy arising from the street is hopelessly naive. · Jan 28 at 12:04pm
To assume that the overthrow of a putative dictator in a nominal democracy will result in a real democracy (in the Middle East, especially) I think is hopeful but naive...like our president. There is no tradition of democracy in the Middle East. Look how hard it has been to establish democracy in Iraq and that's with the United States in there helping. I just have a horrible pit in my stomach and I keep remembering Claire saying my children are going to die.
Nov '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
I don't know any Egyptians. How amenable is the population to a theocracy, or would the majority see that as an undesirable outcome? Or would opinions be too diverse without a vote? Mob rule, notwithstanding.
Jul '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
I think Tunisia is an outlier. It's a very different society than Egypt, Lebanon or even Jordan, with it's 75% Palestinian population.
Oct '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Fox's Greg Palcot is reporting that the Mosques are rallying the people to the streets, and the Muslim Brotherhood is now on the streets, and pushing against Mubarak.
Sep '10
Re: Egypt Podcast: The View from Turkey and Israel
Andrea Ryan
Kenneth
I'm with you, Andrea. All this breathless chat about democracy arising from the street is hopelessly naive. · Jan 28 at 12:04pm
To assume that the overthrow of a putative dictator in a nominal democracy will result in a real democracy (in the Middle East, especially) I think is hopeful but naive...like our president. There is no tradition of democracy in the Middle East. Look how hard it has been to establish democracy in Iraq and that's with the United States in there helping. I just have a horrible pit in my stomach and I keep remembering Claire saying my children are going to die. · Jan 28 at 12:18pm
At every great turning point in history, the horrible feeling in the pit of the stomach has been there. I'm not giving up hope yet.