Egypt’s brilliant
columnist and high-profile talk show host Imad Adeeb wrote this
think piece in Arabic for the country's al-Watan news-paper:
Will we be “spiraling down” or “reaching a
compromise” in Egypt?
What’s in the cards – more frenzy, demonstrations,
violence and bloodshed, or the boon of commonsense, wisdom, moderation and
serious negotiations?
It seems – and God knows best – that tension,
escalation and bloodshed will prevail in the near and medium terms.
I sense further internecine bloodletting on public
squares and streets and in Egyptian cities and provinces.
I see hundreds if not thousands killed and injured in
the few coming weeks.
I see attacks on police stations, government
buildings, party headquarters, public facilities, security directorates and
military barracks.
I see the emergence of unconventional weapons in the
upcoming battles, including the “Grenov” (RPG-18), rocket launchers and anti-aircraft
missiles.
I see the beginnings of sectarian strife in the
provinces and the appearance of weapons stockpiled for months in mosque and
church basements.
I see all sides’ political elites keeping up their
hysterics and inflammatory speeches calling for violence, killings and the
total exclusion -- if not its erasure from history and geography -- of the
opposite side.
Regrettably, I see no prospect of an imminent compromise.
I don’t see words of wisdom reaching open minds. Nor
do I see an atmosphere conducive to dialogue between the parties to the crisis.
The tragic irony is the crisis we were controlling
lately has now transformed into a crisis controlling us.
The problem that was running deep is now running out
of anyone’s control.
The big tragedy is that nothing can lead to a
solution or a compromise. Muslim Brotherhood rule won’t lead to stability. And
shutting out the Brothers won’t restore calm.
Since January 2011, we tried a president with a
military background, military council rule and a president from the Muslim
Brotherhood. We are now trying an honorable man’s rule as interim president.
Despite these variations and experiences, we still
haven’t found the desired solution.
We went through a revolution in January 2011 and
another in June 2013 and saw the army intercede and millions take to the streets
on both occasions.
No event, regime, revolution or coup d’état pacified
people or restored their aplomb and satisfaction.
How can Egyptian society recoup its serenity, calm
and stability?
It’s a great question worth pondering and answering.
