FILLING THE VOID & WHEN FRIENDS GATHER

THE EGYPTIAN WAIT

     Analysts can disagree on whether the sky is blue, so when you find convergence of opinion you pay attention.  The longer the Mubarak regime resists change, while a fervid anti Mubarak movement remains active, the more likely unfavorable trends can begin. Not the least of these is an impact on American influence.  

       The US is caught in a cross fire of interests.  Mubarak has been an ally, so we can not appear to throw him over.  Still, a timely, rational transition, acceptable to the masses and good for our strategic concerns is in our best interest.  The longer it festers, the more anger and resentment grows, the more appealing other elements will appear to those Egyptians who remain invested, emotionally, in the call for change. Those other elements are those who can both fan emotion and draw power from resentment and anger.  They include the Muslim Brotherhood.  The US must not publicly demean those who could assume power in a changed Egypt.  And that is tricky. The longer it remains a stand off, the more the US has to loose and the more the wild card players have to gain. 

      A defused situation, lowered voices, people going back to routine, less mass gatherings and media attention is a sound alternative, but who knows how that might play out, or who is in a position to steer it.  Certainly not the once peripheral voices, some extreme, who have been slowly gathering following in the mania.

      Thus, the alliance of thought by many western analysts.  Resolution, sooner than later is better. The options- demonstrations stop, Mubarak departs or lays out a framework for departure. Until then it is a wait, with uncertainty being the only beneficiary. 

NOW TO SOMETHING MUCH BETTER

FRIENDS AND FOOD

     Several months ago a group who share a love for food decided we would gather monthly and prepare new dishes, based on the theme of the month.  This month it was

Russian.

     As exotic aromas fill the hosting home, there is of course socializing and wine drinking-this is, after all, California.

and old fashioned ice crushing-a Russian theme meant some vodka of course

and the courses begin.  Here is the borscht and freshly baked Russian rye bread

another blast of activity in the kitchen

and a FULL PLATE.

Kasha Varniskas, lamb-raisin-bean Plov, beef stroganoff, Kartushnik with cheese and onions

and not pictured were the strawberries Romanov and Russian Tea cakes.

Cheers.

See you down the trail

we have calories to walks off.