Moubarak move - Machiavelli would have approved

Well my friends, I don't know for you but each time I turn on my TV set at night to watch the news in Egypt I get a new lesson in strategy.

What started it all in Egypt? The people saw what the population did in Tunisia and they said to themselves:"Now wait! If they can do it, we can do it too!" And the turmoil began. At first it was genuine people tired and frustrated against the regime. They were manifesting in peace. But they wanted to pass their point across.

What did Moubarak do? He addressed the nation. Stating that he was dissolving the government and that there were to be elections to better address the people's demands. It didn't work. The people remained in the street.

So next thing he deployed the army in order to "secure the streets and protect the population" of course. It didn't do.

He dissolved the government. So now he control the three main democratic powers: executive, legislature and the judiciary. We all know that to ensure a democracy, you have to separate the powers. OK what's next? Ah yes! The press. The press is known to be the "fourth power" with its power to influence. So previously this week, he cut the Al Jazeera feed in Egypt. Al Jazeera is the muslim version of CNN.

Ok lets see on the cross list:

legislature: checked

executive: checked

judiciary: checked

the press: partial check. We need to address the international press in order to suppress the international opinion.

army: still in control.

Ok lets look in the streets: what? They're still there?!

Now comes the cherry on the sundae. The master peace that Machiavelli would have been excited about. Lets organize a counter insurrection party. Those people will get down in the streets. And they are precisely instructed to get violent and attack both insurrectionists and the international press. And they should shout slogans in favor of Moubarak. Now such a party shouldn't be difficult to put together. In a country which has its economy at a total halt, giving a "salary" to the counter insurrectionists will be appealing to some people.

And look at what is happening from the last two days. Violence. Insurrectionists getting attacked, and international press fleeing home because they are afraid for their security. This last move may just be the kind of move that will ensure Moubarak to prevail.

I am not endorsing Moubaraks moves. I sincerely wish more democracy, peace and jobs to the Egyptian people. Since I run a strategic blog, I had to point out the strategic moves that are right before our eyes. Here and now. Live.