But into the Egyptian cauldron steps the U.S. arrogantly expecting the Egyptian military's "interim" government to do what we say or the $1.5 billion in military aid we dispense to you each year will be ended.
That's what McCain and Graham's "diplomacy" brought with them as the hammer behind their plea for the military to restore civilian governance.
But the U.S. can't be an honest power broker in Egypt.
Both sides in this political conflict, the Muslim Brotherhood and Islamists as well as the military backed "interim" government accuse the U.S. of interference into Egyptian affairs. And let's not forget the U.S. was a prime supporter of Hosni Mubarak during his 30 years in power which ended only when it became clear he would be ousted by the Egyptian army in February, 2011.
This fact is not lost or forgotten by all the Egyptian people.
So it doesn't take much imagination to realize the mistrust felt by Egyptian's toward any prescriptions offered and associated with the U.S. government.
Power brokers need to be trusted, impartial, non-aligned with any side and have no pre-conceived and determined agenda that can dictate a compromise; at least not a lasting, viable compromise that can be agreed to by all the antagonists.
It is only U.S. government hubris, believing it as the "indispensible nation" that perceives itself as able to broker a deal to end the political crisis in Egypt.
As for the reality on the ground in Egypt, there appears darkness and no end to the bloodletting any time soon.
This may be a telling indication of what's in store for Egypt.
A protester against the military whose brother was killed on Friday said, "They will kill us, I know, everybody knows, but it doesn't matter". Not exactly a sign the opposition is ready to fade away and give in.
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