Erstellt am: 20. 8. 2013 - 13:27 Uhr

Military muscle flexing in Egypt and Pakistan

Reality Check: Muslim Brotherhood leader arrested in Egypt, Musharraf on trial in Pakistan

The arrest of the spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt highlights further the determination of the army to crush the Brotherhood and its political affiliates.

EPA/MOHAMED OMAR

Mohammed Badie, leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, was arrested early today in Cairo

Analyst Shashank Joshi explains why Saudi Arabia is backing the Egyptian army with substantial funding, and is quite happy that the Muslim Brotherhood is under pressure.

Musharraf charged with the murder of Benezir Bhutto

Pakistan's former president, General Pervez Musharraf, his been indicted on three charges in connection with the assassination of former Prime Minister, Benezir Bhutto, in 2007.

EPA/REHAN KHAN

Former President Pervez Musharraf, has been indicted by an anti-terrorism court, and charged with conspiracy to murder opposition leader, Benezir Bhutto

It's an unprecedented step and is undoubtedly intended to send the message that Pakistan is serious about accountability and the independence of its judicial system.

However, according to Dr Fazana Shaikh the case may not get very far. The army is still extremely powerful in Pakistan, and the current government of Nawaz Sharif is unlikely to want an open confrontation.

Sharif will certainly not have forgotten that it was Musharraf who deposed him in a military coup in 1999, and he will not want his current term as Prime Minister to end the same way.

Dr Shaikh explains the delicate balance the Pakistani authorities are facing with the case.

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