ssault in Sinai to "restore stability and regain control" in the lawless desert that had become a haven for Islamist militants. Ironically, it was Muwafi who had told a visitor two months ago that he favored an assault in Sinai by an Egyptian armored battalion that would include 30 tanks, eight helic

's firing were surprising, given this background. The Egyptian media blamed him for ignoring an Israeli intelligence report about Sunday's attack. Muwafi confirmed in a statement that "we received a detailed intelligence warning" and said he said he passed it to the military to take action. "It is th

he Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, who had issued the June 17 decree. The circumstances are, of course, quite different, but the dismissals of Muwafi, Enan, and Tantawi evoke the jettisoning of Sabri, Sharawi, Sharaf, and Fawzi a little more than 41 years ago. It is hard to draw any conclusion j