July 4, 2013

The US

Headline: Obama Orders US to Review Aid to Egypt

To Read:  Middle East specialist Marc Lynch shares his thoughts on the great Egyptian downfall and on America's past and future role in Egyptian society-

One of the many ironies of recent days is that for all the anti-American anger among Egyptian protesters, their efforts seem set to empower the military. And of course it is the military, not the Muslim Brotherhood, that remains America's closest ally in Egypt. The United States has not publicly supported the coup, but the coup could ultimately provide Washington with more opportunities to effectively engage. But for that to help matters, Washington is going to have to do a much better job than it did in 2011 and 2012 in pushing the military toward respecting the rights of the popular forces that now embrace it and toward a rapid restoration of civilian rule and brokering of a meaningful political consensus.

Quote: “We're not taking sides in this” State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki making things clear.

Number: 15, in February 2012 only 15 percent of Egyptians were in favor of the US sending aid to Egypt.

Israel

Headline:  Israel fears Jihadist attacks after Morsi's ouster

To Read: Lee Smith thinks that the next Egyptian leader's best chance of uniting a divided people is by going to war with Israel-

A competent leader, likely not Morsi, will soon come to see that he has no choice but to make a virtue of necessity and export the one commodity that Egypt has in abundance—violence. So, why not bind the warring, immature, and grandiose Egyptian factions together in a pact against Israel, the country’s sole transcendent object of loathing? Indeed, it’s not entirely clear why Egypt’s venomous strains of anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic sentiment have not yet hit fever pitch. Yes, Morsi doesn’t want to get the White House angry. And there’s also the obvious fact that Egyptians are too divided against themselves right now to be unified against anyone else. But that can’t last for long, or else Egypt will implode.

Quote: “If Bibi [Netanyahu] and Lapid aren’t doing their job, remove them, bring someone who will do for you what you want”, Hebrew-speaking protester/reporter Himda Hamdi giving Israel some suggestions from Tahrir square in Egypt.

Number: 70, the percentage of Israelis who are within range of Hamas rockets.

The Middle East

Headline: Top judge sworn in as Egypt interim president

To Read:  Bessma Momani points out that the Muslim Brotherhood's grand failure may have some educational value for the citizens of countries across the Middle East, as now they might finally understand that Islam is not a panacea for all their economic, cultural and societal problems-

 But the point here is that Islamists never claimed governing was hard; in essence they simplified good governance to a single and effective slogan: “Islam is the solution!” To many Egyptians this is now an empty slogan and there is a demand for real policy ideas. This is a good thing as it sets the stage for political parties to mature beyond rhetoric into developing policy platforms.

Islamists will retain the respect of having cleaner hands than the Mubarak regime, but Egyptians and perhaps Arab electorates in other transition countries will also demand more. In a devout region, religious credentials will matter less than offering specific solutions to life's mundane problems.

Quote: “The Muslim Brotherhood group is part of this people and are invited to participate in building the nation as nobody will be excluded, and if they responded to the invitation, they will be welcomed”, Egypt's New Interim President Mansour's making a statement.

Number: 4, Egypt's coup is only the 4^th global coup between 2010, and 2013, according to Pew (the world seems to be quiting down, considering that there were 61 coups between '61-'69).

The Jewish World

Headline: Thanks to advocacy efforts, Jewish schools reaping hundreds of millions in US government money

To Read: A Forward article written by an anonymous Jew, describes what it's like living as a Jew in Cairo these days-

In over a year in Egypt and five years exploring the Middle East I have received less than a handful of hateful responses when disclosing my religion — though I also do so cautiously. When I tell Egyptian friends or acquaintances that I’m Jewish, they often say, “You know, we have no problem with Jews. We are all brothers and sisters.” Some add one caveat, “The problem, you see, is just with Israel.” Soon after, another, “You know, you really shouldn’t tell most people that.”

Quote: “the characterization of the Jewish state as a 'ravenous Moloch' is a canard. The attempt to deploy a Jewish critic [Beinart] as a fig leaf does not cover up the hate”, Abraham Cooper commenting on an anti-Semitic cartoon published by a widely read German paper next to a book review of Peter Beinart 'The Crisis of Zionism'

Number: 23,000, the estimated number of Jews in Turkey.