EGYPT: The Sound and the Fury of the Poor

Egypt's peasants and hard-pressed middle class—who together make up 90% of an exploding population of 40 million—had for months grown increasingly bitter over continuing "sacrifice" demanded by their government. They chafed under commodity shortages and inflation rising at the rate of 37% a year. Those who shopped in private food stores—where lines were shorter but prices four times higher than in subsidized government stores—complained of constant increases in the cost of milk, meat and vegetables. While they suffered, the nation's remaining 10% prospered. The rich grew richer under President Anwar Sadat, who returned property sequestered by the late President...