Democracy Digest » Mubarak’s intransigence killed engagement strategy, now his downfall

He takes it personally

The Obama administration is to hold a rare Saturday principals meeting to determine its response to Egypt’s anti-government uprising.

The administration has already decided to review its aid policy toward Egypt in response to the current turmoil.

“We will be reviewing our assistance posture based on events now and in the coming days.” said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.

The announcement seems calculated to influence the calculations of President Hosni Mubarak  (above) and, more significantly, the country’s military which has reportedly taken control of key locations across Cairo, including the state TV station.

Egypt received $1.3 billion in military aid and $250 million in economic assistance in the 2010 fiscal year.

The administration was reminded of its leverage today when Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) urged President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to press Cairo to lift its “digital iron curtain” on the Internet and defend Egyptians’ rights to free expression

via demdigest.net