Ayman El-Dessouki Al Arabiya The "Black Bloc" movement stormed Egypt's political scene on the second anniversary of the January 25 revolution. According to the conventional wisdom, the Egyptian Black Bloc models itself on anti-establishment, anarchist groups in Europe and the US that go back to the 1970s. In tactics, slogan and outward appearance, the former shares much in common with the latter. Nevertheless, the Egyptian version of the Black Bloc is different in terms of ideological orientation and objectives. Egypt's Black Bloc demonstrates a wide array of ideas ranging from anarchism and liberalism to Trotskyist Marxism. The group represents the most radical elements among Egyptian revolutionaries. It includes different kinds of activists, who share a common objective; they are anti-Islamist. In their “official video” posted on YouTube, on January 24, the masked youths declared their mission to fight “against the fascist regime, the Muslim Brotherhood, and their armed wing,” and to protect protesters from security forces and Islamist militias. ?Like their Western counterparts, the Egyptian movement are anti-regime and seek to overthrow the "incompetent" state, but they are not anti-capitalism. This might explain why the Bloc draws supporters from liberal groups and sympathizers from liberal and leftist parties and human rights activists. The Egyptian Black Bloc appears to have forged links with different movements inside and outside the country. It is possibly connected to other anarchy groups around the world. Egyptian activists carry black flags with an “A” sign, an international symbol of anarchism. ?In addition, the Black Bloc's members allegedly include Ultras, fans of Cairo's Al-Ahly soccer club, activists from the liberal 6 April Youth Movement and Trotskyist Revolutionary Socialists. Egyptian authorities detained a Black Bloc member suspected of attempting to carry out an Israeli-directed sabotage plan. Iran-based FARS news agency claimed that Egypt's Black Bloc is linked to Mossad. Of course, Israel denied any involvement in such a plot. ?The Black Bloc is proudly willing to use violence against the security forces and the alleged "military wing" of the Muslim Brotherhood. In fact, the group has been involved in violent acts, clashes with security forces, disruption of metro services and road traffic and the looting of shops. However, that would not have a big impact on the spread of violence and on persuading demonstrators to use armed force against the government. Three combined factors could increase the spiral of violence in Egypt. First, the reaction of the National Salvation Front to the emergence of the Black Bloc has been somewhat ambivalent. They condemned using violence by both supporters and opponents of President Mohamed Morsi's regime. However, some of their leaders' statements might be read as a justification for the violent actions taken by the Black Bloc. In fact, some claim that the Black Bloc is the result of the oppositions' rhetoric or even its "active encouragement". ?In addition, the Black Bloc could spark an Islamist retaliation. Some Islamists have threatened to attack these “enemies of Islam.” This might create the potential for a spiral of violence between rival “militias.” The Jama'a Al-Islamiya has also issued threats. More important, the continuance of general lawlessness and the chaotic world of Egyptian politics will contribute to the spread of violence in Egypt.? — Ayman El-Dessouki is an assistant professor of political science at the American University in the Emirates and Cairo University, Egypt
