Update on the Situation in Egypt

The inspiring demonstrations in Egypt have been attacked by a wave of people who support the unpopular regime of Hosni Mubarak in the last 48 hours. The crowds have come to confront the massive numbers of people  that have brought the country to a standstill, calling for the ousting of the regime.

This comes just one day after Mubarak announced that he will step down after newly announced elections in September. This has caused some demonstrators to go home, satisfied with the announcement.

While this is a significant change, it is not the demand of many in the streets. They want him gone now.

In this moment of confusion and discussion, the pro-Mubarak crowds entered Tahrir Square on horses and camels with weapons, beating those who had continued to assemble.

As the violence escalated (instigated by pro-Mubarak forces), molotov cocktails began flying and knives were pulled out. By nightfall, gunfire was heard throughout the center of Cairo, with pro-Mubarak forces firing from rooftops at unarmed demonstrators.

Many suggest that the pro-Mubarak protesters are a mix of police officers, paid gangs, and Mubarak supporters. Even mainstream American think-tanks and members of the U.S. government have called the bluff on the crowds, calling it a common tactic in Egypt.

A friend who recently returned from Egypt told me that many people believe this to be the case.

The theory behind this assumption is simple: Mubarak is trying introduce violence into the protests, which have largely been peaceful (despite up to 300 who were killed by the police).

Chaos breeds disorganization and mistrust, which will help quell the protests.Thus, in response to the violence, the Egyptian state can intervene on behalf of the people to bring "security". This will give an air of legitimacy to uniformed police again repressing demonstrators, with the the hope that the international community (of government allies) will stand behind them.

The violence could also further divide protesters along lines of who is willing to engage in violence and who isn't.

On top of these most recent developments, the protests have already been significantly divided in light of Mubarak's announcement.

Almost one thousand people have been injured and many have been killed in the fighting so far.