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Some years back I opined on this forum that the high probability flash point in the Middle East may not be "under the international microscope" Iran with its nuclear program, but a seemingly "out of left field" revolution in Egypt. I still haven't changed my mind. Egypt is a populous country, and one that exerts tremendous influence in the Middle East.
Egyptians vote in election marred by crackdown
President Hosni Mubarak promised fair elections, but the vote is marred by mass arrests, pressure on independent candidates, media harassment and a boycott by some opposition groups
...The government of President Hosni Mubarak promised fair elections, but their legitimacy was marred by pressure on independent candidates, mass arrests, media harassment and a boycott by some opposition groups, including one led by Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the U.N. nuclear regulatory agency and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The United States gives Cairo more than $1 billion in aid annually, but was unable to persuade Egypt to allow international observers. It was another indication that Mubarak, who has been in ill health, was content to ignore Western concerns about political repression in order to preserve his party's hold on power...
President Hosni Mubarak promised fair elections, but the vote is marred by mass arrests, pressure on independent candidates, media harassment and a boycott by some opposition groups
...The government of President Hosni Mubarak promised fair elections, but their legitimacy was marred by pressure on independent candidates, mass arrests, media harassment and a boycott by some opposition groups, including one led by Mohamed ElBaradei, former head of the U.N. nuclear regulatory agency and a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The United States gives Cairo more than $1 billion in aid annually, but was unable to persuade Egypt to allow international observers. It was another indication that Mubarak, who has been in ill health, was content to ignore Western concerns about political repression in order to preserve his party's hold on power...