FRONT PAGE: "Muslim Brotherhood Falters As Egypt Outflanks Islamists," by Yaroslav Trofimov, Wall Street Journal, 15 May 2009.
The Muslim Brotherhood appears to be faltering badly in Egyptian politics. Part of it is the persistent repression by Mubarak's government (yea, emergency rule!), but much of it is the Brotherhood's own fault, so says this article.
The MB scared off a lot of supporters by talking of wars and proposing restrictions on women and Christians.
And so the Brotherhood is feeling down, with self-criticism running high.
Apparently, the MB's vigorous support to Hamas and heated anti-Israeli rhetoric doesn't engage your average Egyptian as much of a way forward for this largest Arab state (81 million).
The Brotherhood, by the way, has been at it for 81 years--an amazing record in terms of both longevity and no serious success.
Guess Egypt is harder to radicalize that most people think--including myself.
But maybe Egyptians, like most people, just want more/better jobs and better lives for their children, and don't think the Brotherhood will do any better job than the Mubarak line--not exactly a high bar.