Our Meet the Press at Brookings series focused today on Egypt and was an opportunity to speak not only about the unfolding events and big questions for the Obama administration but also about the wider context and what comes next. The topic is so large and complex, yet I found the expertise surrounding me on the stage and with perspective from Doha, Qatar very enlightening. I urge you to take the time to watch the discussion or read the transcript.
Just a few key impressions. Watch the military. That is the key factor in the days ahead according to the experts. Does the military crackdown or help sustain the protestors. Someone reminded me today that the military is heavily reliant on this regime so it’s not a given that it won't back Mubarak in the end. The panel was largely critical of Obama's response faulting the administration for failing to forge a link with opposition groups before now. Elections? There was a hearty debate about exactly when new elections in Egypt should be held and the role of the Muslim brotherhood. Ken Pollack also raised the specter of Al Qaeda's interest in fomenting trouble in Egypt.
You can watch the entire event below or read the transcript posted on the Brookings site here.
Moderated by David Gregory the panelists include: Brookings Senior fellow Kenneth Pollack, Anouar Boukhars of McDaniel College, Jennifer Windsor of Georgetown University and Brookings fellow Shadi Hamid, Director of Research for Brookings Dona Center
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