EGYPT AND THE HEZZIES - AT 9:22 A.M.  The mainstream press isn't doing much on this, but there's growing tension between Egypt, the Arab world's most important country, and Hizbullah, the Iranian-influenced terror organization with a grip on Lebanon.  From the Jerusalem Post:

Egyptian parliamentarians and legal experts called to issue a warrant for the arrest of Hizbullah leader Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah and to put him on trial for "encouraging terror activities in an attempt to destabilize the [Egyptian] state," the Saudi-based Al Arabiya television network reported Sunday.

The MPs called to include Nasrallah in the indictment expected to be served against 49 members of a terror cell arrested in Egypt several days ago on suspicion that they were planning to carry out attacks inside the country.

Also Sunday, Al Ahram reported that Hizbullah loyalists had purchased an entire building in Cairo and several villas in the Sinai Peninsula as part of the terror cell's efforts.

COMMENT:  This, potentially, is a major story with significant implications for American policy in the region.  Egypt, although a dictatorship, is friendly toward the United States.  If it is destabilized by Hizbullah, it's a major setback for us.  Egypt has a peace treaty with Israel, which Hizbullah would undoubtedly scrap, upping the damage even more. 

The Obama administration has shown no stomach for resisting Hizbullah, and I'm sure the Hezzies are noticing.  Watch this one.  A collapse in Egypt would be as significant as the overthrow of the shah in Iran in the 1970s.

April 12, 2009