January 28th, 2011
10:27 AM ET
4 years ago
Egyptian protests rising to top of Obama's agenda
Washington (CNN) - Just three days after a State of the Union Address that President Obama's own aides say was 80 percent devoted to the economy and domestic issues, the pressing national security issue of unrest in Egypt has suddenly vaulted to the top of the commander-in-chief's agenda as he struggles with how closely he wants to stand with a longtime U.S. ally, President Hosni Mubarak.
White House national security spokesman Tommy Vietor said Obama has been getting regular briefings on the unfolding situation throughout the week, and the president got a special memo with the latest information on Friday morning.
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Why would the U.S be the ally of a country who does not respect it's citizens? The do not allow peacfull protest, shame.
Pres. Obama is capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time.....He (America) will support the universal right of Egyptian citizens to protest bad behavior on the part of their government AND encourage Hosni Mubarak to institute some reforms. As far as counterterrorism cooperation is concerned, this will continue no matter what, as Mubarak doesn't want extremists in Egypt any more than we want them proliferating around the world. Additionally, Egypt is #2 in the amount of aid received from the US. They won't risk that.
need this issue to settle down , they are very important to the region as a freind to the United States
if anyone can help Mr. Obama can . and Hillary Clinton , can talk to the protesters and help setle every thing
You know the economy or debt wont be at the top of Obama's agenda:)
Nice to see somebody finaly woke up the President and told him something was going on over there and he needed to pay attention. His wishy washy indecisive style can't be very comforting for Israel at this point. Last thing Israel needs is a radical Arab regime on its border.
In spite of all that President Obama has had to deal with, (Tea Party, Oil Spill, pirates, The party of NO, Iran nuclear ambitions, The great recession) in spite of all that, President Obama has done quite well
For Egypt to be one of the biggest democracies in the middle east, they're sure exercising their right to free speech.
There is no easy choice in this matter: we support an evil despot, we oppose a long-time ally, or we no nothing. Whichever choice, it would be good if the President could get the support of Congress so we do it as one Nation, and not play politics with our foreign policy. Whatever choice the President makes. the right-wing propaganda machine will oppose.
Personally, I think we should quietly support the protesters. At least put pressure on Mubarak, with threat of the loss of our financial support without reform.
I wonder if it ever occurs to the Palins, Christies, Boehners, McConnells (and all the others) just how much weight of the world our President carries on his shoulders everyday? Easy to mock with armchair ideology when it isn't they who are being called upon to make the hard decisions affecting so many millions who depend on this one man to do the right thing - 24/7.
Ummm. The white house should do nothing. Why do we always have to assume the self assigned baby sitter role? The white house needs to mind our business and let other countries mind theirs.