On Wednesday [July 24] Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the defense minister and deputy prime minister of Egypt, called for nationwide protests on Friday, July 26, to give him the mandate to “face violence and terrorism.” In response, the Muslim Brotherhood said it would continue with its own protests on the same day.

Considering the tension in Egypt, both calls are reckless, but beyond that: What is the point behind these protests? What is the endgame for supporters of former President Mohammed Morsi or Sisi? Who has the advantage?

If protests deliver little, then they mean little. Either they have to deliver huge numbers in order to show public support for a particular political demand, or they have to result in some sort of critical action that delivers the same. Otherwise, they’re pointless.

Muslim Brotherhood members believe that the Egyptian public in general is either against the military or uncertain about the military’s overthrow of Mohammed Morsi. Increased protests by the Brotherhood will either result in more people joining the protests or in a state crackdown, which could then provide sympathy for the Brotherhood and result in more people joining the protests. With increased numbers, the Brotherhood seeks to reverse the military takeover, or at the very least, get a much better deal at the negotiation table after their leaders are released (as a result of popular and international pressure).