And a New King Rose Over Egypt

While protests organized by the National Alliance to Support Legitimacy, a group of supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi, did materialize after Friday prayers in Egypt, their relatively small numbers do not pose a meaningful challenge to the military's consolidation of its ruling power. Secularist protests expressing displeasure at the release of former President Hosni Mubarak to house arrest have also been underwhelming, and there has been no sign of cooperation between Islamist and secular opposition elements. Last week's crackdown by the military, culminating in the weak showing Aug. 23 by the military's opponents, are evidence that the military authority does not face a serious challenge and that the path is clear for the military to proceed with its political roadmap.