Khaled wrote me this about Nasser and his right-wing lieutenants: "On several occasions - the most catastrophic, President Nasser appointed, or
at least did not disqualify a right-wing person from
assuming a leading position in his administration. In many crucial moments, President Nasser dispensed with loyal allies and cast them aside, in favor of right-wing replacements. I am almost drawn to the conclusion some time ago that President Nasser does not allow an ideology to govern his steps, crucial or dull managerial ones. As such he had no ideology but serving the interests of his people, the way the son of the Menia can see it! That is not to say at all, that he was not an anti-imperialist, and at
times a fierce lion at that, but it suggests that he had a very long-term vision, one that in real life is not obtaining. The end of the Egyptian left, heralded by the Sadat Nights of the Long Knives, is an
example of the extent of such political horizons, I think!"
assuming a leading position in his administration. In many crucial moments, President Nasser dispensed with loyal allies and cast them aside, in favor of right-wing replacements. I am almost drawn to the conclusion some time ago that President Nasser does not allow an ideology to govern his steps, crucial or dull managerial ones. As such he had no ideology but serving the interests of his people, the way the son of the Menia can see it! That is not to say at all, that he was not an anti-imperialist, and at
times a fierce lion at that, but it suggests that he had a very long-term vision, one that in real life is not obtaining. The end of the Egyptian left, heralded by the Sadat Nights of the Long Knives, is an
example of the extent of such political horizons, I think!"
