Middle East Update - Bad Timing for a Visit

Secretary Kerry doesn't seem to be enjoying himself on this trip.  (Photo/Presstv.ir)

Secretary Kerry has been in the Middle East;

Pretty awkward timing for his trip - to say the least.

Many of our "allies" in the region aren't thrilled

With our current policies and so relations chilled.

Kerry went to Cairo first; he'd not been in a while.

Next day, Egypt put its former President on trial.

Military overthrew his government and now

Claims that it was not a coup...  But I cannot see how.

Even though it's clear from all the evidence we've got,

State Department hasn't said if it's a coup or not.

U.S. law forbids assistance to a government

Which has come to power through a coup. The law is meant

To promote democracy, so now we're kinda stuck...

'though we'll send them aid, their military's out of luck.

Kerry went to see the Saudis next; they're also mad.

Feel the U.S. backed out on agreements that we had.

They've turned down a Council Seat 'cause we did not attack

Weapons sites in Syria...  Ain't chutzpah that they lack.

Any place where radicals are bred goes back to them;

They're the ones who fund those mosques and schools (which costs a gem.)

Now they're scared those angry chickens may come home to roost...

Here's an idea for you; just stop giving them a boost.

I wish Secretary Kerry luck - which he will need -

'cause the only thing on which the region has agreed

Is that the United States is, somehow, all to blame...

I guess it is comforting that some things stay the same.

Egypt - Call Me Cassandra

The Egyptian military has imposed a month long State of Emergency following yesterday's massacre of pro-Morsi demonstrators. (Photo/TheSaint41.com)

6 weeks after Egypt's coup, cops fired on the crowd

Saying Muslim Brotherhood protesters weren't allowed

To continue demonstrating out in Cairo's streets.

Now, instead, the city's filled with corpses under sheets.

Islamists felt victimized and took it to the square

(It's become the custom to hold demonstrations there)

Said it's illegitimate to overthrow a man

Just because you disagree... Only elections can.

Seems to me they had a point and, 'though I don't agree

With the Muslim Brotherhood, elections there were free.

Thousands wounded, hundreds dead, Vice President resigned

And the former President's still very hard to find.

There will be no compromises now - Not after this.

Population's fracturing.  The cracks are hard to miss.

Now, with mounting bloodshed, Egypt's in a downward spin.

It's a situation where America can't win.

Egypt - When is a Coup Not a Coup?

The riddle of the Sphinx -When is a coup not a coup?

I go on vacation - the Egyptians have a coup...

Not the 1st time this has happened, either. This makes 2.

Last time that it happened Morsi led one of his own.

This time it was him the military's overthrown.

No one's seen the President. The Muslim Brotherhood's

Started leading protests throughout Egypt's neighborhoods.

They say they're prepared to die if Morsi's not restored.

Civil war is one thing that Egyptians can't afford.

Neither can America 'cause Egypt is the key;

Central to the Middle East throughout its history.

Which is why we're being careful - watching what we say.

U.S. law is black and white but Egypt's shades of gray.

We are not allowed to give a country foreign aid

If there's been a military coup.  Bills don't get paid.

Egypt wants another chance to get its problems solved;

Thus, we've called it something else so we can stay involved.

Dear Secretary Kerry... Sincere Sympathies on Your Dream Job

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry...  Poor bastard.

Secretary Kerry has his work cut out for him;

Situation in the Middle East is pretty grim.

Civil war in Syria; the circumstances dire.

Innocent civilians getting caught in the crossfire.

Plus 2 million refugees have packed their things and fled.

Assad's neighbors have to try and keep those people fed.

War's been dragging on for 2 years now; no end in sight.

The United States stayed on the sidelines of the fight.

Now - so rumor has it - CIA is helping out;

Shipping arms to rebels so the battle's not a rout.

Trying hard to pick and choose who's gonna get the guns

In a region that's known warfare since Attila's Huns.

Egypt's on the brink of a collapse...  They're out of cash.

Thus, their fragile government may hit a wall and smash.

Even with intentions that are pure as driven snow,

Morsi's in a bind if the economy won't grow.

And, of course, there's Israel and Palestine, as well.

You call that the Holy Land?  It's more akin to Hell.

It's no wonder Hillary decided that she'd quit;

Let poor Secretary Kerry try to deal with it.

Across the Pond - Pharaoh Morsi

Figured that Thanksgiving was ideal to take a break.

Thought it would be quiet; that was clearly a mistake.

Egypt has a Pharaoh now; the Muslim Brotherhood

Placed itself beyond the law and that, my friends, ain't good.

Morsi says his actions won't be subject to review...

Neither judges nor the law can tell him what to do.

Says it's only temporary; his intentions pure.

Demonstrators back in Tahrir Square don't seem as sure.

Morsi was elected as the President because

The reformers couldn't choose which candidate theirs was.

Liberal choices split the vote; Conservatives stepped in.

Feels as if the Arab Spring released an evil djinn.

Middle East is frightening with Syria, Iran,

(Not to mention our poor troops still in Afghanistan)

Israel and Palestine and Turkey's bomb request...

Almost every one of them wants something from the West.

Across the Pond - Egypt: Pay Attention!

Cartoon by Robert Ariail.com

 

Situation recently in Egypt isn't good.

If you haven't paid attention lately, then you should;

As go the Egyptians also goes the Arab Spring.

I'm afraid that you won't like the news this rhyme will bring.

Military has dissolved the Parliament and now

Won't announce the President...  They'd rather kiss a sow.

Probably because the Muslim Brotherhood has won;

Who, until a year ago, were not allowed to run.

Now, although there's uproar, it's more quiet than you'd think

Mostly because younger folks believe both options stink.

What was there to choose from? Either old way or far right?

Not the kind of candidates for whom they fought the fight.

We will have to wait and see by whom that country's led

(And how many more times that Mubarak will be dead.)

Don't know how much longer that the Generals can stall.

Hope the Arab season hasn't turned from Spring to Fall.