Columnist Sees Power Shifting to Demonstrators in Egypt

As Tahir Square took on more of what CBS News' Elizabeth Palmer described as a "party atmosphere" Friday, power in Egypt appeared to be shifting to demonstrators calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius said on "Washington Unplugged."

Egyptian political leaders have begun to align with the protestors, he suggested, and distance themselves from Mubarak.

"The army, having condoned pro-Mubarak protestors, is now moving towards some more balanced role in transition, not a role in helping Mubarak hold on," Ignatius told CBS News' Bob Orr.

Ignatius said there is "no question" the White House wants Mubarak to step down. He said that President Obama can relate to the crisis based on his own experience, since he grew up in Indonesia when that country was run by a corrupt dictator.

"He's recalled what it feels like to be in that kind of situation," Ignatius said. "That's a personal, almost visceral feeling for him."

While the Obama administration continues to walk a fine line publicly between embracing democracy and supporting Mubarak, Ignatius said the crisis is becoming Israel's "worst nightmare."

There are concerns in Israel and other countries that "the United States has gotten so emotionally attached to this movement for change," he said.

"Israelis want to make sure that Americans don't get so caught up in this spirit of revolution that they forget about U.S. and Israeli interests," Ignatius added.

Christine Delargy is an associate producer for CBSNews.com. You can read more of her posts here. You can also follow her on Twitter here: http://www.twitter.com/cbswashunplug.