Latest update: 23/03/2011 

- Barack Obama - diplomacy - Egypt - Hosni Mubarak - USA


Washington's dilemma: should you try to get rid of an ally?

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Egypt has long been an ally of the United States, and under Hosni Mubarak's 30-year rule, the country has proved to be America's closest partner in the Middle East. Since the current crisis started, Washington has been performing a balancing act - listening to the protesters' grievances while not actually telling Mubarak that it's time for him to go. But how long can this strategy hold out?

FOCUS

With:

  • Salman SHAIKH, Director of the Brookings Doha Center

Programme prepared by Kate Williams, Marie Billon and Patrick Lovett

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