In the last few weeks the central state in Egypt is starting to function more smoothly despite the serious threat towards the unity of the nation. Radical elements within the Muslim Brotherhood still pose a threat to stability and the same applies to extremist groups in the Sinai and in other parts of Egypt. Therefore, it is essential that all powerful institutions work closely together in order to lay the foundation stone for a new Egypt. It is equally vital in the long-term to overcome authoritarianism and religious extremism by supplanting both forces with a modern nation state based on the dynamics of a modern Egypt. Yet, given the current climate in this nation and throughout parts of North Africa and the Middle East; then it is essential to firstly clampdown on all negative forces which oppose unity and the centralized state. Once the internal threat is eradicated – or at least put firmly into the margins – then a new Egypt will emerge. The potential of Egypt is enormous and clearly if this nation succeeds then the entire region will feel the positive effects of stabilization. Alternatively, a weakened Egypt which is blighted by religious extremism, terrorism and “year zero mindsets” will only hinder this important geopolitical part of the world. Therefore, it is imperative that militants within the Muslim Brotherhood and other extremist forces are prevented from subverting the nation state based on singular ideological and religious motives. Indeed, the seriousness of the current situation was further hit home today because two Egyptian army conscripts were brutally killed by religious zealots who fuse religion, terrorism and jihad together. Another conscript is reported to be in poor condition after suffering major injuries. Attacks like this are all too familiar at the moment and clearly it is the enemies of Egypt which desire to sow the seeds of sedition. Also, it is a firm reminder to the international community that patience is essential towards the current leaders of this nation because they face foes which thrive on destabilization, terrorism, sectarianism and mayhem. In other words, it is vital that the friends of Egypt help this nation during a very important stage because a failed state would unleash enormous negative forces throughout the entire region. The BBC reports that “Egypt’s government is moving to seize the assets of the Muslim Brotherhood after the group’s activities were banned amid a crackdown by authorities. “It says it will also ban or take over the extensive social services the group provides – including hospitals, schools and charities.” “The ban came in a recent court ruling but has only now been confirmed following a hiatus for appeals.” Areas related to social services provided by the Muslim Brotherhood must be taken over by central authorities and other bodies. After all, in Pakistan aspects of the education system is being openly manipulated by religious fundamentalists in order to spread jihad within Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir. In other words, the Muslim Brotherhood used their charity works in order to become a state-within-a-state. Therefore, all power bases which are open to manipulation must be supplanted by state institutions, genuine charities, local government bodies and so forth. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Solidarity made it clear that all charities involved in assisting the Muslim Brotherhood would be dealt with under the terms of the ban. Hana Mahanna stated that charities within the network, irrespective if “direct or indirect, with the Muslim Brotherhood – whether educational or medical – they will be bound by the court’s decision, and the government will have to take them over.” Hana Mahanna also stated about transgressors that “Those who abide by the law and the constitution have full rights but also at the same time, those who break the law will be held accountable.” Sadly, President Obama and his administration which worked favorably with the Muslim Brotherhood – still can’t get away from the “Israeli agenda” and bowing down to conservative Islamic forces which oppose democracy and secularism. Therefore, even when it appeared that President Obama was offering the hand of friendship, after showing previous enmity towards the interim government, it was based on preserving the“Camp David Accords.” This is the problem, Egypt must not be seen by Washington based on either the “Israeli agenda” or the “conservative Islamist agenda.” Instead, the leaders of America must respect the sovereignty of this nation and stop meddling into the internal affairs of Egypt. The current interim government doesn’t desire animosity towards any outside power. On the contrary, the political leadership wants to move forward in order to cater towards the mass needs of the people and to create a new prosperous Egypt based on freedom. Yet the current interim government needs breathing space in order to focus on the economy, to install greater centralization and to crush the threat from within – and to defeat the external threat which is agitating in the Sinai region. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-24391796 http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/83163/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATED-Two-Egyptian-conscripts-dead,-two-injured-.aspx leejay@moderntokyotimes.com http://moderntokyotimes.com