The Egyptian Military Gains Control of the Country's Political Agenda

Despite the continuing but decreasingly street-driven pressure from the pro-Morsi Moslem Brotherhood, the military-backed interim government has pushed ahead with its road map for a post-Morsi political transition. A first draft of an amended version of the now-suspended constitution was finalized and published in local media, the first step toward changing the islamist-backed charter that was one of the major dissatisfactions leading to opposition to Morsi and his ouster. Last Friday, the street rallies called for by the Brotherhood to show popular opposition to the military coup that ousted Morsi were very sparsely attended, with marchers in the hundreds and low thousands. Perhaps as a result of Friday's disappointing turnout, on Monday two former Egyptian militant groups have proposed a truce between the military and Morsi's Moslem Brotherhood, highlighting the extent to which islamists have been weakened by the massive security crackdown, as well as by the general indifference of ordinary Egyptians to the pro-Morsi cause. Morsi's allies have previously insisted on his reinstatement as a precondition to talks, but islamic jihad leader Mohammed Abu Samra told The Associated Press that the proposed truce had no "red lines." Although not offered by the Brotherhood itself, the initiative reflects a softened position by the pro-Morsi radical-islamist camp, whose protest campaign is faltering. "We are paving the way for talks," Abu Samra said, adding that a truce is necessary because talks cannot be held at swordpoint with the military, which he accused of "defaming" the Brotherhood in the media and mosques. But the military crackdown continued Monday, as the state news agency announced the arrest of former youth minister and senior Brotherhood member Osama Yassin. Abu Samra said the pro-Morsi Brotherhood opposition needs "confidence-building measures." However, he added, "the other side didn't show a single gesture or any sign that it is ready for dialogue. It only talks about it." Meanwhile, the Brotherhood called for new rallies on August 30. A security official said authorities would be on high alert nationwide that day to prevent a new round of violence. The interim president's office did not comment, however, Egypt's Interim Prime Minister Hazem el-Beblawi had earlier told reporters that security measures will not be enough on their own and that Egypt "must go down the political path" to work out a democratic transition through reconciliation. However, he ruled out talks with anyone who had engaged in violence. Meanwhile, in southern Egypt, a public school teacher was arrested because parents complained she was teaching children pro-Morsi songs and anti-military chants, a security official said. Also in the south, Mohammed Hassan, spokesman of the Gamaa Islamiyah group - which once attacked police, Coptic Christians and tourists - said islamists fear that the army could break up if it continued using what he called excessive force against islamists. "Things could get out of control and the army could fall apart," he said. Many islamist groups already appear to have bowed to the security crackdown. The ultra-conservative al-Nour party, which was the only islamist political faction to support Morsi's ouster, at first opposed amending parts of the constitution related to Islamic Shariah law. But on Sunday it said it will join a 50-member panel tasked to review the charter, saying it hopes to defend key Islamic references added to the text under Morsi. ~~~~~ Dear readers, it is becoming apparent that the Egyptian military has gained control of the streets and has stripped the radical-islamist Brotherhood of its leadership. This has also given it control, although still fragile, of the political agenda. It is supported by the majority of Egyptians. The radical-islamist allies of the Brotherhood have sensed this and are seeking dialogue with the military. If the words they use sound familiar, it is because their Palestinian "cousins" have used them for years in confronting Israel. What their choice of words points to, if a real political accommodation cannot be achieved - something that seems highly unlikely - is that the Egyptian radical-islamists and the Moslem Brotherhood are once again recreating their underground opposition to the military and are preparing a long campaign of proposing dialogue while making it impossible through incessant complaints and demands. The military is the real unifying force in Egypt, the only entity now capable of overseeing the Egyptian government, and the only group in Egypt that has the confidence of the Egyptian people. Is it too much to hope that President Obama and Europe will understand this and quickly renew their support for the Egyptian military and, with it, their support for the Egyptian people.