Libya? The fight is being turned over to NATO but that doesn't eliminate the disagreement within the coalition about what constitutes justification for withdrawal, turning Libya back over to the Libyans.
The questions swirling around the operation’s command mirrored the larger strategic divisions over how exactly the coalition will bring it to an end — or even what the end might look like, and whether it might even conceivably include a Libya with Colonel Qaddafi remaining in some capacity. While few countries have openly sided with the Libyan leader, officials said on Thursday that most of the allies expected that the use of military force would lead to talks between the government and the rebels.
“I don’t think anyone is ruling out some kind of negotiated settlement,” the official said. Colonel Qaddafi has responded defiantly, making the likelihood of his negotiated departure seem exceedingly remote.
The allied bombardment remains in its early stages. ...NYT
Meanwhile, one step to the east, the Egyptian revolution isn't turning out as we hoped. Already there have been authoritarian reactions by the military to democratic demonstrations. Now we watch as alliance between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood -- "an elitist, secret society" -- appears to have taken power.
The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist group once banned by the state, is at the forefront, transformed into a tacit partner with the military government that many fear will thwart fundamental changes.
It is also clear that the young, educated secular activists who initially propelled the nonideological revolution are no longer the driving political force — at least not at the moment.
As the best organized and most extensive opposition movement in Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood was expected to have an edge in the contest for influence. But what surprises many is its link to a military that vilified it.
“There is evidence the Brotherhood struck some kind of a deal with the military early on,” said Elijah Zarwan, a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group. “It makes sense if you are the military — you want stability and people off the street. The Brotherhood is one address where you can go to get 100,000 people off the street.”There is a battle consuming Egypt about the direction of its revolution, and the military council that is now running the country is sending contradictory signals. ...NYT
