The failure of the National Salvation Front was apparent since its inception. Its leaders' famous first press conference was delayed for several hours, and when they finally showed up, they were fighting over the microphone. No one will ever forget when Dr. El-Baradei tried to snatch the microphone away from Amr Moussa, saying "Come on Amr, give me the microphone." Despite their eagerness, they were unable to succeed in anything, as they were contentious partners who have never achieved notable political or professional success.

Tunisia was the country that kick-started the Arab Spring. In December 2010, a desperate young man set himself on fire, and the ensuing protests led to the fall of dictator President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and the country's first democratic elections in decades (in October 2011). As neighbouring countries like Syria and Libya remain mired in conflict and bloodshed years after their respective uprisings began, Tunisia has dropped out of the international news somewhat. The first revolution in the Arab Spring, it has also been seen – broadly – as one of the most successful.

At a time when internal problems preoccupy most Egyptians, there is an external problem that no one pays attention to; one that could leave Egyptians sleepless and put the country in a perilous economic and international position. This danger comes in the form of the law suits (arbitrations) filed against Egypt by the Israeli Electric Company, the East Mediterranean Gas Company and some of its shareholders, the Israeli Mirhav Company, the Israeli Impal Company, Thai BBT Company, Jewish American businessman Sam Zail and Hussein Salem.

"Nobody solves their problems with an army, and armies should be kept out of political problems. Try to find a method of understanding among yourselves, as if the army takes to the street, Egypt will have very dangerous problems that may delay its progress for the next 40 years."

This is what the Egyptian Minister of Defence, General Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, said to a group of writers, intellectuals, artists and journalists attending a military exercise last Saturday morning for the ninth Armoured Division in the Dahshur region.