What is it with all these tinpot countries kicking off?

[Firefly]

Egypt should not be dismissed as 'tin pot'. A vital point not yet mentioned is Egypt's importance to world trade.
I recon that 80% of everything you own - got here through the Suez Canal. If an anti-western government where to control it they could significantly disrupt trade.

 

[simmo]

On the downside you will almost certainly be eaten by a shark working for mossad.
Shark 'sent to Egypt by Mossad' - Telegraph

Sounds a bit fishy to me.

 

[simmo]

Egypt should not be dismissed as 'tin pot'. A vital point not yet mentioned is Egypt's importance to world trade.
I recon that 80% of everything you own - got here through the Suez Canal. If an anti-western government where to control it they could significantly disrupt trade.

Not quite so sure about 80%, goods from Europe and All of the Americas don't have to go through the Suez canal, but I accept your point about it being a vital conduit. However, anyone taking over Egypt will know this too and will soon realise I am sure that limiting access to it will be massively to their detriment too.

 

[8ace]

Not quite so sure about 80%, goods from Europe and All of the Americas don't have to go through the Suez canal, but I accept your point about it being a vital conduit. However, anyone taking over Egypt will know this too and will soon realise I am sure that limiting access to it will be massively to their detriment too.

Some ships are too big for Suez as well, only tankers though, I think no container ships are too big yet.

 

[BigGully]

Egypt should not be dismissed as 'tin pot'. A vital point not yet mentioned is Egypt's importance to world trade.
I recon that 80% of everything you own - got here through the Suez Canal. If an anti-western government where to control it they could significantly disrupt trade.

It might be strategic but it remains 'tinpot' ....... thats why they are rioting.

 

[philsussex]

So which is the next country to start rioting then. Seems to be bandwagon.

 

[somerset]

Didn't say little - just tinpot.

Hardly tinpot dude,... probably the richest and most advanced nation in Africa after maybe SA and Nigeria.

 

[Firefly]

Having had to work there for a month in last year - I would say it may be advanced for Africa but is still one of the most corrupt.

As for the tankers - the big ones off load it at Suez then have it pumped though 80 miles of pipes to Port Said where its loaded on to another tanker

 

[Superphil]

The Egyptian government have came up with a plan in attempt to stop the riots in Cairo. Get in a car. Honk your horn and then chill out. They are calling it "toot-en-calm-doon"

 

[philsussex]

Hardly tinpot dude,... probably the richest and most advanced nation in Africa after maybe SA and Nigeria.

Apart from Adam El Abd, I can't think of much that we get in the modern world from Egypt. And nothing at all from Tunisia, ever.

 

[franks brother]

The Egyptians were building pyramids while we were rolling around in the mud. They should have a Martian colony by now

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Egypt can't be a tinpot country , they are the only country on the African continent with an underground railway system.

 

[KneeOn]

Apart from Adam El Abd, I can't think of much that we get in the modern world from Egypt. And nothing at all from Tunisia, ever.

Of course, Egypt... tin pot. Its not like we got writing from Egypt for one, its not like they've built a wonder of the world while everyone else was still eating their own shit, its not like Egypt has proved to be one of the best tourist destinations for people across the world now is it. Sure it isn't Japan in terms of technological gifts, or the USA with its film industry or China with its industry full stop, but to call Egypt tinpot? Ignorance.

Tunisia deserves the same level of respect, its a country that is fighting oppression. Sure its not given much to us but who are we to undermine it as being just a "tinpot country kicking off?".

Christ, democracy is easy to take for granted isn't it...

 

[philsussex]

Of course, Egypt... tin pot. Its not like we got writing from Egypt for one, its not like they've built a wonder of the world while everyone else was still eating their own shit, its not like Egypt has proved to be one of the best tourist destinations for people across the world now is it. Sure it isn't Japan in terms of technological gifts, or the USA with its film industry or China with its industry full stop, but to call Egypt tinpot? Ignorance.

Tunisia deserves the same level of respect, its a country that is fighting oppression. Sure its not given much to us but who are we to undermine it as being just a "tinpot country kicking off?".

Christ, democracy is easy to take for granted isn't it...

Agreed. But MODERN Egypt, not a lot.

Not a criticism, just a fact.

This thread has gone right off topic though.

 

[beorhthelm]

...but to call Egypt tinpot? Ignorance.

well, forgive my ignorance, but what has the Egyptian nation offered in the past 2500 odd years? other than some large burial mounds in the desert what did they give us before that? Writing came from Mesopotamia, China, Indus independently and writing as we know it is Greek. nothing else of note i can think of.

without the Suez canal Egypt would be no better off than Libya, Tunisia, Algeria. actually, i just looked it up and isnt as well off as those nations, has lower GDP both nominally and purchasing power per capita than all three. its GDP per capita is lower than most the Carribean islands, pacific islands and economic powerhouses such as Belize and Albania.

tinpot? well, its probably a harsh epithet for such a large and geopolitically important country. on the other hand, a military dictatorship/police state run for 30 years by one man, like so many we would call tinpot, one can see the confusion.