Egypt rises again

As though discovering something both new and unbelievable western reporters watch units of the Egyptian army drive their vehicles over demonstrators. 19 killed last week at a march of Coptic Christians seeking state protection against sectarian attack. 30 dead so far in the second battle of Tahir Square.

In amazement they now report that the Egyptian Army owns between 10 - 15% of the Egyptian economy. The US (and Britain) have pumped $ billions into this army for a generation. It was the price they paid to keep Egypt with the west and against the Palestinian resistance. What did Egypt's Generals do with the loot? They did what any self respecting army chief would have done. They bought resorts like Sharm-el-Sheik. The United States has given Egypt an average of $2 billion annually since 1979, much of it military aid, according to the Congressional Research Service.  In 2010, $1.3 billion went to strengthen Egyptian forces versus $250 million in economic aid. Another $1.9 million went for training meant to bolster long-term U.S.-Egyptian military cooperation. Egypt also receives hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of excess military hardware annually from the Pentagon.

This is the force now mobilising against the Egyptian revolution. What's really amazing dear commentators is that the revolution is still winning! If you listen to the interviews the demonstrators seem to have learned two things since April.

First - they need the whole people, most especially the poorest sections of the Egyptian population, the workers and the poor farmers, to win. Second, they are part of a movement against the system now seen breaking out across the whole world.

Hold onto your hats.