In case you were wondering what the Arab Spring in Egypt and the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood as a political force in the Land of the Pharaohs would mean in practical terms, you don't need to wait any longer because we now know the answer.  It means government sanctioned extortion and hostage-taking:

"A top Muslim Brotherhood official has warned that any cuts in U.S. aid to Egypt could affect Cairo's peace treaty with Israel - the latest sign that Egypt's emerging political forces intend to call Washington's bluff over the diplomatic dispute triggered by a crackdown on non-governmental organizations.

Egyptian judges have referred 16 Americans and 27 others linked to NGOs for trial, accusing them of using foreign funds to encourage disruptive protests. Among the targeted NGOs whose assets and funds have been seized are the U.S. government-funded International Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute."

[...]

Any U.S. aid cut to Egypt, top MB lawmaker Essam el-Erian told the pan-Arabic al-Hayat newspaper, would violate the U.S.-brokered 1979 peace agreement with Israel.

The Jerusalem Post quoted Erian as saying that if the U.S. cuts aid to Egypt, the MB would consider changing the terms of the peace treaty. He is warning that the U.S. should understand that "what was acceptable before the revolution is no longer."

Thanks to President Obama's concerted efforts to appease radical Muslims and his bending over backwards not to offend Islamist terrorists, our enemies have been emboldened so much so that they don't hesitate to hold hostage the Israel-Egypt peace treaty and American NGO workers if we dare to withhold U.S. aid to Egypt most of which is military aid.  And that's just Egypt.  Get ready because Islamists around the world know that they can get away with murder while Barack Obama is president, and knowing that they can, you can bet that they will try.

Neil Snyder is a chaired professor emeritus at the University of Virginia.  His blog, SnyderTalk.com, is posted daily.