[Lillie_Steins]

I just returned from Egypt for a short business trip, so I can comment on this. There is corruption, economy is weak and if you look a bit further than the great construction sites and good roads you'll see many people live in abject poverty. Wages are ridiculously low and education is basic. Also there is a growing presence of fundamentalism and conservatism in the country, especially during Ramadan times, few muslim women dare to venture out without a scarve. I also spoke to many Christians, and they feel secure now but still there's a tension. One thing most Egyptians have in common is a lack of practical organisation and always making a great fuss out of nothing.
I have to admit that security is high, sometimes ridiculously high (you can't travel between or in Asyut and Kena without military escort and there are military checkpoints every 20 km. or so)
People have mixed feelings about the regime, some prefer him over the unknown and are happy Egypt is living in peace, others point to the corruption, cooperation with the US and lack of propper devellopment.
Feelings about islamic militancy are equally mixed, it is generally a very conservative country altough most Egyptians dismiss the terrorist attacks in the 90's. Everyone I spoke to despises Israel and thinks the "Yahoud" dominate the US and manipulate president Bush. There is a theory about Iraq being part of the greater Israel wich would be in the stateflag of Israel and about 11th september carried out by Israel. Most people seem to support al quaida's struggle against the US altough at the same time they despise their ideas and ridiculise them, but they still support them as there isn't any other mean to target "invincible" US. Often the same people have a very positive image of Sadat, who was a strong leader who could compromise when necessary and made peace. Everyone understands it's impossible to win against Israel, altough everyone hates israel at the same time. Nasser is generally criticised for his big mouth, unresponsible actions and little solid action. France and Europe were generally very wellcomed especially among christians altough some people seem to have an adversary against all "infidels". In such environment I was afraid to tell about my origin but the few times I did the reaction was not what I expected, I was wellcome and they Israel and zionism was the problem, not Jews in general, and they told me stories about Jews contributing to Egypt's pre-war devellopment in Alexandrie especially. But the same people told me "jews" dominate the US, so it was not exactly clear if they were anti-semitic or not.
Most people in Egypt don't have a very clear view on the matters and opinions do differ, what's abundantly clear however is universal support for Iraq's insurgeants, even among people who are on Mubarak's payroll.

So I take it you made a lot of friends among people who think just like you.