I can’t be inconspicuous by tweeting the Egypt talk. I’m in the front row directly in front of the speaker. #Michelmore 7:10 PM Feb 22nd
1) broad overview, 2) current status, 3) major actors going forward, 4) lessons learned. #Michelmore 7:11 PM Feb 22nd
Egypt hopes sparked by Tunisia success in demanding leadership ouster. “Something is sweeping across the Middle East.” #Michelmore 7:13 PM Feb 22nd
History has two models… Popular protests can spark brief regime changes, as in France 1848, or long term, as in E Europe 1989. #Michelmore 7:15 PM Feb 22nd
Social networks, CNN, cell phone cameras drive the revolution. Egyptian cabinet has left minister of information vacant. #Michelmore 7:16 PM Feb 22nd
Middle East remarkably young. Population pyramid almost reversed in US. Middle East education is widespread but poor quality. #Michelmore 7:18 PM Feb 22nd
Education leads to expectations, but those are not being met. No job means no money for an apartment, means no marriage. #Michelmore 7:20 PM Feb 22nd
Autocratic governments have shown their people little respect. Petty, grinding, everyday corruption. #Michelmore 7:21 PM Feb 22nd
Peaceful protests worked in Tunisia and Egypt, but not so effective elsewhere. Difficult to maintain order among protesters. #Michelmore 7:25 PM Feb 22nd
Police must agree it is in their interests not to kill protesters. Egypt has a professional army. #Michelmore 7:26 PM Feb 22nd
There are two armed forces in Egypt. Most conscripts have not much loyalty. Officer corps comes in at the top, well paid. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:32:38 2011
Financial crisis, foreign investors freeing. Egyptians have not gone home– the protestors do not say it’s over. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:35:59 2011
Americans want to see the Egyptian army as good because we see Ismamist forces as bad. #Michelmore says the 1st is wrong, 2nd is “wronger.” Tue Feb 22 19:37:30 2011
#Michelmore questions fear of the Muslim Bros. The only opposition that was not crushed by Mubarak. Middle class, opposing British rule. Tue Feb 22 19:39:40 2011
Muslim Brothers have a violent wing, a social welfare organization, and a coalition-building political organization. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:40:45 2011
Muslim Brothers run as independents, problematic position on Christians, but it’s “nuts” to confuse them w violent radicals. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:42:35 2011
What Muslim Brothers failed to do for 80 years, young protestors did in 18 days. Mus Bros would win maybe 20% in an election. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:44:59 2011
No straight line from fall of a dictator -> elections -> democracy. Violence more likely. Democracy is a process, not product. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:48:40 2011
Different communities see different impediments to shared human goals of bettering the lives of our children. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:50:10 2011
#Michelmore explained the importance of ethnic and geographic differences in other national conflicts that might otherwise seem similar. Tue Feb 22 19:52:50 2011
Incredible nervousness. Getting the right balance between legitimate US interest in stability & the people’s demand for change. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 19:54:24 2011
Response to a Q from our institutional researcher on how to find good sources: “Just Google Egypt.” (#Michelmore was a little vague there!) Tue Feb 22 20:01:31 2011
Q: Will this young generation driving the revolution see change? #Michelmore: protesters likely must wait for bread-and-butter changes. Tue Feb 22 20:04:22 2011
We need to listen to Egypt and offer help they ask for, rather than presume our solutions are what they need. #Michelmore Tue Feb 22 20:05:12 2011
I got called out as a techno-geek when I asked #Michelmore whether shutting off the Internet affected the course of the revolution. Tue Feb 22 20:12:07 2011