When Egypt\u2019s first elected president, Mohamed Morsi, promoted Gen. Abdul-Fattah el-Sisi to defense minister nearly a year ago, sweeping away an aging cadre of generals, many saw it as a triumph for the Islamist president, and for a fledgling democracy.<\/p>\n
Mr. Morsi had seized back broad powers from the old guard, and General Sisi, known to be pious, seemed to have a close relationship with the new president, even sending Mr. Morsi a laudatory telegram. \u201cThe men of the armed forces assert to your excellency their absolute loyalty to Egypt and its people, standing behind its leadership as guardians of the patriotic responsibility,\u201d\u009d it read.<\/p>\n
Mr. Morsi is now a prisoner of the military, deposed by General Sisi on July 3 after mass protests against the president\u2019s rule. And the telegenic general, who has cast himself as protector of Egypt\u2019s security and its very identity, is riding a wave of muscular nationalism and pro-military sentiment that has led his adoring fans to liken him to former President Gamal Abdel Nasser.<\/p>\n