WALTER RUSSELL MEAD: The Revolution Wanders From The Script. “Washington’s intervention in the crisis is not (yet) turning out very well. Public pressure on President Mubarak to step down has allowed the Egyptian authorities to wrap themselves in the national flag. ‘Let’s find an Egyptian solution to Egypt’s problems,’ they can say. ‘President Mubarak will not be running for re-election; do not let the Americans dictate our timetable for change.’ Many in the Egyptian army who normally might have wanted to shed Mubarak quickly will now want to let him hang on through the fall to spite Obama if for no other reason. At the same time, foreign pressure gave the government an opening to crack down on foreign (and domestic) journalists, helping to deprive the revolution of the attention and television coverage vital to keeping public excitement and mobilization alive.”