Egypt protesters torch buildings, target Suez Canal

Okay, it's all fun and games until someone mentions the Suez Canal.

Egyptian protesters torched buildings in Cairo and tried unsuccessfully to disrupt international shipping on the Suez Canal, as a court ruling on a deadly soccer riot stoked rage in a country beset by worsening security.

The ruling enraged residents of Port Said, at the northern entrance of the Suez Canal, by confirming the death sentences imposed on 21 local soccer fans for their role in the riot last year, when more than 70 people were killed.

Saturday's protests and violence underlined how Islamist President Mohamed Mursi is struggling - two years after Mubarak's overthrow - to maintain law and order at a time of economic and political crisis.

Islamist groups and parties backing Mursi warned against a looming security breakdown and called on their followers to form popular protection committees to guard the streets and public property should police fail to do so.

Source

That's odd. To hear MSM talk, Egypt isn't having much for major problems lately and things are solid on the 'ol Diplomatic front. Solid enough for ....

U.S. to ship all 20 F-16s to Egypt in 2013

So I have to ask myself in this time of trouble and financial woe here at home as well as around the world. Which is it? Are we sending large sums of aid and military systems to a stable and capable nation in the region or is this going into an unstable nation still in the midst of a touch-go transition to what hasn't fully taken shape yet?

Perhaps Kerry needs to devote a little attention to what has been a very long term and solid Ally to the United States for the last few decades at least. Egypt seems to be having serious troubles and it might even be nice for a change if we helped folks instead of just looking for new ways to kill them as is happening in Syria.

If decency doesn't work for a reason, perhaps notice ought to be given for the pure sake of Global economic disaster if the Suez were interrupted for any real length of time? The Straights of Hormuz would be bad. The Suez would be disaster in full color, IMO. .....and the U.S. already has troops in the neighborhood and sitting on bases in the Sinai desert as part of the International Forces out of the Camp David Accords. (The MFO)

Right on Wrab, well ,just take over the Canal, and let the "brothers"have the rest...not much but sand anyways......
I do hope the US gov ahs better intel than i do, cause it sure looks like they are backing the wrong side......
Selling F16s to Egypt is kinda adding gasoline to the fire for Isreal wouldnt you say?
Already the chances are the Isrealis will have to" pacify" the Sinai once more are mounting.........

reply to post by stirling
It may be worse when you consider that the F-16 production centers in Turkey have hacked the IFF coding to allow the engagement of Israeli Aircraft with the NATO systems. They've promise not to export the upgrade/retrofit kits to other nations (Like Egypt, for instance), so I sure hope they keep their word.

That would be real embarrassing to see the F-16's the US just sold them, used against Israeli F-16's. Talk about a P.R. disaster of epic proportion.

Originally posted by Wrabbit2000

That would be real embarrassing to see the F-16's the US just sold them, used against Israeli F-16's. Talk about a P.R. disaster of epic proportion.

I would consider it poetic irony...with a smile

reply to post by stirling


How do people come to these far-fetched conclusions? Israel will have to pacify the Sinai? Has anyone been reading and analysis the news coming from the region?

Maybe the dictator Morsi should of thought about democracy before installing Sharia Law. I hope the Egyptians knock that regime on the head the same as they done to Mubarak. Nothing has changed and this regime are only repeating what the previous one did. Egypt are the standard when it comes to resistance. I have respect for the people of that country, thats for sure.

Originally posted by SpeachM1litant
reply to post by stirling

 

How do people come to these far-fetched conclusions? Israel will have to pacify the Sinai? Has anyone been reading and analysis the news coming from the region?

What is far fetched? Islamic militants have been staging attacks against the Israeli/Gaza border area since just after Mubarak lost power. I think they've directly attacked the gas line there at least twice.

In following events closely to the region, I'd say both Egypt (if sincere) and Israel both have a building problem with militants in the Sinai region.