UPI.COM: Protests have become less energetic Saturday — notably in Egypt, where the government initiated a crackdown on protests in Cairo. But senior White House officials say they have determined the outbreak may signal the beginning of a sustained period of turmoil, with diplomatic and political consequences, The New York Times reported.
The issue presents the administration and President Barack Obama‘s re-election campaign with a foreign policy crisis that features widespread images of the U.S. flag being burned and angry demonstrators at U.S. embassies.
Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass said: “The reality is the Middle East is going to be turbulent for the foreseeable future and beyond that. It’s going to present the United States with any number of difficult choices. It’s also going to be frustrating because in most instances our interests are likely to be greater than our influence…. (more)
