EGYPT, DAY SIX – AT 9:50 A.M. ET:  The demonstrations continue in Egypt.  For the first time, the Egyptian Air Force sent fighters over Cairo, apparently as a warning to demonstrators, although it's hard to see any circumstances under which Egyptian pilots would attack their own people. 

At the same time, the State Department is now advising Americans to leave Egypt:

CAIRO -- The U.S. Embassy in Egypt on Sunday recommended that Americans leave the country as soon as possible, while other nations urged their nationals to avoid traveling to Cairo as days of protests descended into chaos, with looters roaming the streets and travelers stranded in the airport.

The Sunday morning travel warning came as uncertainty mounted over how the demonstrations that have roiled the Arab world's most populous nation will play out. Those questions, coupled with the growing lawlessness, have panicked Egyptians and foreigners alike, with thousands flocking to the airport frantically trying to secure a dwindling number of available seats. Others hopped on private jets and made their escape.

The lawlessness referred to includes mass looting.  In addition, there were several prison breaks last night, apparently engineered to free Islamic extremists.  That is not good news for us.

Egypt has closed down the broadcast facilities of Al Jazeera, charging the Arab broadcaster with incitement.

It is still not at all clear who is benefiting, or will benefit, from the mass demonstrations.  Washington is plainly apprehensive that this could all head south, with nutbag elements, plentiful in the Arab world, taking control of the most important Arab country.

At the same time, Hosni Mubarak clings to power.  Sometimes, dictators ride out these storms.  So far, Mubarak shows no signs of stepping down, but that could change in an instant if a rock with a message comes through his bedroom window.

January 30, 2011