Obama's Egyptian Lesson
For those studying realpolitik, Obama's remarks on Aug. 15, spoken in front of his vacation house at Martha's Vineyard, will enter the anthology. The United States condemns the violence in Egypt and canceled military exercises that were to take place in September, the American president announced. Such is, of course, what was understood by the press, who must quickly find the point of the president's speech and summarize it in a few words.
While giving the impression of reacting strongly to the Cairo bloodbath, at the same time Obama slipped into that very speech a message completely opposing the legitimacy of the Egyptian military, which is responsible for the violence. "We know that many Egyptians, millions of Egyptians, perhaps even a majority of Egyptians were calling for a change in course," he explained regarding President Morsi's overthrow and arrest by the army on July 3. It's obvious that the United States is refusing to call a coup a coup so that they aren't forced to stop their programs — especially their military aid — in Egypt. But now Obama is throwing himself into a particularly adventurous justification for the regime change: "Perhaps even a majority of Egyptians were calling for a change in course."
During the same speech the U.S. president recalled that his country defends "a set of principles: nonviolence, a respect for universal rights, and a process for political and economic reform." Curiously, the word "democracy" was not mentioned. It has disappeared from the list of principles Egypt should follow.
While giving the impression of reacting strongly to the Cairo bloodbath, at the same time Obama slipped into that very speech a message completely opposing the legitimacy of the Egyptian military, which is responsible for the violence. "We know that many Egyptians, millions of Egyptians, perhaps even a majority of Egyptians were calling for a change in course," he explained regarding President Morsi's overthrow and arrest by the army on July 3. It's obvious that the United States is refusing to call a coup a coup so that they aren't forced to stop their programs — especially their military aid — in Egypt. But now Obama is throwing himself into a particularly adventurous justification for the regime change: "Perhaps even a majority of Egyptians were calling for a change in course."
During the same speech the U.S. president recalled that his country defends "a set of principles: nonviolence, a respect for universal rights, and a process for political and economic reform." Curiously, the word "democracy" was not mentioned. It has disappeared from the list of principles Egypt should follow.
Next article![]( "Barack Obama’s Iraq Syndrome")
