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Sharm and Philadelphi: Sinai Attack Exposes Egyptian Weakness

(Ynet News) Nahum Barnea - Despite the fact that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has much greater freedom to fight terror than Western countries do, he has not managed to wipe out al-Qaeda's activities. Terrorists continue to hit him where it hurts - right before Egypt's Revolution Day holiday, damaging at the same time Egypt's standing in the international community, and inflicting damage on the country's tourism industry. This chain of attacks happened just before Israel is to ratify a change in the peace treaty with Egypt, allowing a larger Egyptian military presence in Sinai to patrol the Philadelphi route. Prime Minister Sharon agreed to allow Egyptian soldiers along the border with Israel in hopes the Egyptians would prevent weapons smuggling from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, and would allow Israel to withdraw IDF troops from the area. The ease with which the Sinai attack was carried out raises many uncomfortable questions: if in a case of a clear Egyptian interest (preventing attacks) the government cannot prevent attacks, what about preventing weapons smuggling, a case in which it has far less of an interest?
2005-07-25 00:00:00
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