What We Know About The Man Calling The Shots In Egypt

07:42

August 19, 2013

Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi reviews honor guards during an arrival ceremony for his U.S. counterpart at the Ministry of Defense in Cairo, April 24, 2013. (Jim Watson/AP)

The head of Egypt's armed forces, General Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, gave a speech to the army and police officers over the weekend.

"We will not stand by silently watching the destruction of the country and the people or the torching of the nation," el-Sissi is quoted as saying on the military's Facebook page.

El-Sissi's military deposed president Mohammed Morsi last month, and el-Sissi is believed to be calling the shots.

Not much is known about the general, but journalist Christopher Dickey says to understand where Egypt is going, it's critical to understand el-Sissi.

Read Dickey's piece, "The Quiet General"

Guest

Christopher Dickey, Paris bureau chief and Mideast editor for the Daily Beast and Newsweek. He tweets @csdickey.

This segment aired on August 19, 2013.