The future of Egypt has been hanging in the balance since Hosni Mubarak was toppled. Now
there is real cause for concern, as scores of protesters clash with state security forces.
The problem, above all, is military overreach. Stuck in a 1960s view of itself, and keen to preserve their money, status and power, the military has been thwarting the process of change. Since Mubarak’s fall they have continued behaving how they always have and worse — arresting protesters, muttering about US-led conspiracies, demanding extra-constitutional rights and clamping down on dissent.
Worst of all, the West has been all to willing to take them at their word. Especially the Obama administration, which has kept up the US habit of cooperating with the generals, and is fearful of the electoral success of the Islamists.
But the Supreme Council of the Armed Force’s overreach is now backfiring for everyone, including the civilian interim government of Essam Sharif which last night offered
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