(Image: Ahmed Rehab)
BY CHANCE SEALES
You're watching multisource world news analysis from Newsy
Egypt has the world’s attention. Protests…looting…escaped prisoners. But how did it come to this? We’re taking a look at the people, power and politics at play in the Middle East’s most populous Muslim country. First, a look from CNN at the thousands filling Egyptian streets.
PHILLIPS: “The median age in Egypt is 24 and many are highly educated, with advanced degrees. Despite that, they are unemployed or underemployed. According to the UN, Egypt’s per capita income is $1800 a year. The official unemployment rate last year was 9.7%, but experts say the real jobless rate is significantly higher.”
A translator for MSNBC also blames widespread corruption. From a crooked, 30-year government headed by Hosni Mubarak – to the country’s hated police. He points out – the protests started January 25th – Egypt’s Police Day.
KERYAKES: “The number one reason people are out is police brutality in Egypt. It has been practiced over decades and no one has paid attention to – these people are out to protest police brutality of the killing of some people who were arrested over the past year.”
The stories of beatings and cover ups are everywhere. But Mother Jones writes…
“… Egyptian protesters have pointed to a specific incident as inspiration for the unrest. Many have cited the June 2010 beating death of Khaled Said…allegedly at the hands of police...”
With the future uncertain – competing groups are clamoring for power. From the Muslim Brotherhood … to ex-pat Mohamed ElBaradei … to President Mubarak. Also concerned– Egypt’s allies. NBC and ABC explain why the country’s future matters to the rest of the world.
NBC
INDYK: “Where Egypt goes will have a tsunami effect on the rest of the region. So it may start in Tunisia and Lebanon and Yemen, but if it ends up in Egypt, this is very profound—and because American interests are so tied up with Egypt, what happens there will have a profound effect on our interests.”
ABC
WALTERS: “If indeed, this does become a radical state—and it may not—and then it can spread to Jordan (radical Islamic, you mean)—a radical Islamic state, then you have all of these enemies surrounding Israel.”
Finally, a not-so-optimistic Fox News analyst says – don’t get impatient. The Egyptian conflict is just getting started.
MCFARLAND: “Revolutions tend to have three acts. The first act: get rid of the dictator. And that’s where we are now—how long is it going to take; is it going to be peaceful or not peaceful? Act two is when the reformers come in, try to form a government—often not terribly effectively. Act three is when the better organized, ruthless jihadists extremists come in.”
Stick with Newsy for all the latest updates from Egypt.
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