Egypt: The Big Pharaoh Grabs His Popcorn · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

This post is part of our special coverage Egypt Elections 2011/12.
During the recent presidential elections many Egyptians were not really pleased with the options they had in the final round; some decided to boycott the elections and many others voted for one of the two candidates out of fear of the other.
Now Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, has become president, and though Ahmed Shafiq, who was backed by the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) lost the elections, the military is still holding a lot of the cards in their hands.
This has resulted in what the Big Pharaoh blog has called “The Clash Of The Thugs“, a struggle between SCAF and the Brotherhood over who will have the upper hand in Egypt.
@NPSusa: SCAF & MB, 2 autocratic organizations are in battle, “each side trying to frame the debate as a contest for ideals, legitimacy and democracy”.
Meanwhile, judiciary authority is the weapon the two opponents are now fighting each other with:
@ZaouguiChams: Egyptian politics are not a 2 party game (MB vs Scaf): the judiciary plays a vital part in Post-Mubarak Egypt.
@Cairo67Unedited: Situation best described as ‘Warm’ war between #SCAF #HCC on 1 hand and #Mursi #MB on other.
And the question being asked now by a lot of Egyptians, “Shall We Take Sides?”
The Pharaoh answered:
While some revolutionaries chose to side with the elected MB against SCAF, I made up my mind to grab the pop corn and watch the dogfight. As far as I am concerned, SCAF and the MB are exactly like two thugs fighting each other and the revolution is caught in the middle. Neither thug gives a hoot about the revolution. Why would I support a side while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that the winner will evetually turn against me.
But he also added what revolutionaries should do besides watching the unfolding power struggle:
Egypt needs an alternative to the MB and the army generals. There must be a third option provided to the people in the upcoming elections. If that third option did not arise, we’ll remain enslaved to the outcome of the MB and SCAF dogfight.
This post is part of our special coverage Egypt Elections 2011/12.