In Egypt, a Different Kind of Military Intervention

The Egyptian military appears to be playing a central role in preventing the state's collapse. After nearly a week of violent protests throughout the country, Mohamed ElBaradei and Amr Mousa, two leaders of the National Salvation Front — a largely secular and liberal umbrella group for the political opposition — now appear to have tempered their rhetoric. On Jan. 31, they participated in a national dialogue, calling for further talks with the Muslim Brotherhood, the military and all other political factions to end the violence. Their sudden willingness to negotiate with the Muslim Brotherhood did not simply stem from protest fatigue; it was the result of warnings from the military.