Egypt Update: Hamas Moves Insurgents into Cairo

The history of revolutions from 1776 to the present has given us a pretty good idea of how events tend to play out. As a general - but not irrevocable - rule the most radical factions frequently gain power first because they are the most motivated and best organized. The American, French and Russian revolutions, among others, provide evidence to support this thesis. They may not ultimately maintain that advantage, but the commitment and organization over fifty years of the Muslim Brotherhood, from which Hamas was calved, suggests something similar may happen in Egypt.
There is a reason why leadership texts emphasize speed and organization. The Egyptians - and the rest of the world - are focused on the possibly of Islamicization of this so far secular revolution, but attention does not equal power.

The following report from strategic consultancy Stratfor provides some detailed analysis:

January 29, 2011 | 1655 GMT

The following is a report from a STRATFOR source in Hamas. Hamas, which formed in Gaza as an outgrowth of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB), has an interest in exaggerating its role and coordination with the MB in this crisis. The following information has not been confirmed. Nonetheless, there is a great deal of concern building in Israel and the United States in particular over the role of the MB in the demonstrations and whether a political opening will be made for the Islamist organization in Egypt.

The Egypt Unrest
The Egyptian police are no longer patrolling the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. Hamas armed men are entering into Egypt and are closely collaborating with the MB. The MB has fully engaged itself in the demonstrations, and they are unsatisfied with the dismissal of the Cabinet. They are insisting on a new Cabinet that does not include members of the ruling National Democratic Party.
Security forces in plainclothes are engaged in destroying public property in order to give the impression that many protesters represent a public menace. The MB is meanwhile forming people’s committees to protect public property and also to coordinate demonstrators’ activities, including supplying them with food, beverages and first aid.