Why Egypt's revolution stalled: 3 theories

Protesters have returned to Cairo's Tahrir Square, and vow to stay until the ruling military council enacts democratic reforms. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, which has been in charge in Egypt since longtime president Hosni Mubarak stepped down in February, warned activists not to "deviate from the peaceful approach during demonstrations and sit-ins, or obstruct the institutions of the state." How did the country's revolution go from success to stalemate in just four months? Here, three theories:

1. The old guard is resisting change

"The street has been boiling with anger," says The Egyptian Gazette in an editorial, because people are frustrated over "the slow pace at which the Interior Ministry is being purged of corrupt leaders." The new government has also been sluggish in putting members of the former regime on trial and in compensating the revolution's victims.

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2. Protesters agree on little other than the need for change

When Egyptians from all walks of life first gathered in Tahrir Square to overthrow the government, says Anthony Shadid in The New York Times, they shared "a unity of purpose." But that "has given way to a multiplicity of demands," with diverse factions arguing bitterly over "the timing of elections, the power of Islamists, the weakness of civilian rulers," and the military's lack of accountability. Egypt has hit an impasse because now, nobody is getting what they want.

3. The Muslim Brotherhood is ruining everything

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood joined the crowd in Tahrir Square on Friday, says Armin Rosen at The New Republic, apparently eager to scare the military by showing they could turn on the ruling council at any time. Egypt's liberals say they won't end their sit-in until all of their demands, including speedy trials and other reforms, are met. But their influence is limited as long as "a powerful, often selfish Muslim Brotherhood" pursues a completely different agenda that runs counter to the pro-democracy crowd's.