The Next North Korea

The new North Korea has 80 million people, a savage level of popular ignorance, imports half its calories, and an armed cadre willing to lob missiles at its wealthy neighbor. Did you guess Egypt? Of course you did:

While the world persists in looking for signs of pragmatism in the Egyptian president, Mohamed Morsy is quietly taking over all the power bases in the country.

Having gotten rid of the army old guard, he replaced them with his own men – officers belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood or known sympathizers. Then he turned his attention to the media, replacing 50 editors working for the government’s extensive and influential press empire – including Al- Ahram, Al-Akhbar, Al-Gomhuria. He is now busy appointing new governors to the 27 regions of the country.

In these kinds of “revolutions,” victory always goes to the most ruthless. Just how ruthless Morsi really is remains to be seen, but I’m not hopeful. Even in the best-case scenario, there are still plenty of underlings even more ruthless, ready to knock off Morsi at the first sign of weakness.