On the illusions of control and Egypt

[nadinbrzezinski]

To be honest, as much as DC thinks they can control things, they really cannot. So what we are seeing right now are our efforts to control this so our soft power does not completely go poof. Granted, that is an important goal from the point of view of the Administration, and you do not want to lose all influence in the area. They are also truly afraid of the kids in the streets. I mean the crowds can be revolting, and in the right circumstances any revolution can be co-opted. Mind you we are trying to control it, perhaps even co-o
Wiesner actually told us what the administration truly wishes, for Hosni to stay there until September, but that is no longer operational, so they are trying to make sure we get a soft landing.

In my view, from all the reading I've done, that is more of an error and they should take the side of the streets. But like most empires we really cannot think fast when pivot events happen. This is a pivot event. So we shall see.

What is true is that Hosni is a has been. It is just a matter of time before he is forced to leave... but the next 90 days will be critical, after he leaves,

Here watching the truly Machiavellian games trying to preserve influence.

Best case from the Imperial pont of view... we manage this, and we get another pliable government, democracy be damned

Worst case, full democracy and an independent country.

Most likely something in between where we maintain SOME influence, but not as much as we have right now.

This is still a pivot point...

[bemildred]

1. Yep.

Although it is stupid to think we could "lose all influence in the area", we are not going to call the shots either. I know, I know, this is hard for the morons in DC to understand, the mushy middle ground where we all out here in TV land have to live. What annoys me here is that the inherent conservatism and change-phobias of our established oligarchy will cause us to stick with the loser-tyrants as we so often have done in the past.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. This empire, like others in the past, is quite scletoritc

[bemildred]

3. Good word that, "sclerotic", fits perfectly. nt

[malaise]

4. Good summary

I'd like to see the Neo-cons and neo-liberals whipped.
Time for a new world order.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. Thanks