Egypt Elections - English

Sisi’s Moralism

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:51:08 +0000

The Sisi government’s crackdown on perceived immorality is the latest attempt to instill in Egypt a state-sanctioned interpretation of Islam.

Sinai Campaign a Boon to the Islamic State

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:27:05 +0000

Support for the Islamic State in Sinai and across Egypt has risen as youth grow convinced that the state’s violence can only be met with counter-violence.

The Politics of the Egypt-Gaza Buffer Zone

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:34:31 +0000

The new buffer zone being set up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border will worsen social grievances underpinning much of Sinai’s violence.

Seeking Wealth, Taking Power

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:21:01 +0000

The Egyptian military’s economic interests are driving it to seek further political control.

Egypt’s 1984

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:25:31 +0000

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s steps to quash dissent exceed the Mubarak era’s in scope and intensity.

Photo Essay: Worshiping the Egyptian State

Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:11:24 +0000

New art by young Egyptians aims to jolt viewers out of their worship of strongmen.

Egypt’s Judiciary, Coopted

Wed, 20 Aug 2014 18:40:17 +0000

The executive branch’s persistent efforts to discourage and punish independent judges have left the judiciary weak and coopted.

Sisi’s Dilemma

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:29:51 +0000

As long as Sisi remains heavily dependent on the military and other state institutions, he can neither push too hard against their interests nor count on them to always back his policies.

Sisi’s Economic Call to Arms

Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:11:54 +0000

Sisi’s gradual introduction of subsidy reforms has forestalled major unrest, but public dissatisfaction will mount if these are seen as coming at the expense of the poor.

Individuals Before Parties in Egypt’s Elections

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 19:18:33 +0000

Egypt’s new parliamentary elections law will empower old networks.

Egypt’s Assault on Sinai

Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:32:30 +0000

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis is actively benefiting from Egypt’s heavy-handed approach to insurgency in Sinai.

Egypt’s War on Terrorism

Thu, 22 May 2014 15:30:31 +0000

Even as the United States works with Egypt to counter violent threats in Sinai, relations will remain tense because of Egypt’s insistence that political dissent be considered terrorism.

Economic Challenges Facing Egypt’s Next President

Thu, 15 May 2014 14:44:53 +0000

To be successful, Egypt’s next administration must address macroeconomic instability while also pursuing policies to decrease poverty and unemployment.

The Nour Party’s Precarious Future

Fri, 09 May 2014 17:49:53 +0000

Egypt’s Salafi Nour Party is looking to replace the Muslim Brotherhood as the leading Islamist political force, all the while trying to weather the backlash against Islamists.

Photo Essay: Egypt’s Authoritarian Stage

Tue, 29 Apr 2014 14:50:17 +0000

Through the lens of family patriarchy, an Egyptian play critiques authoritarian structures and society’s apparent willingness to accept them.

The IMF in Egypt, Act Two

Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:31:07 +0000

Despite the challenges of long-term dependence on GCC benefactors, their aid gives Egypt a chance to reengage with the IMF and other international creditors.

Egypt’s Wiretapping Scandal

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 17:28:27 +0000

Egypt’s reaction to the domestic wiretapping of activists and politicians does not bode well for the future of citizens’ rights and the rule of law.

Fueling Egypt’s Economy

Thu, 27 Mar 2014 15:11:51 +0000

The short-term woes of Egypt’s oil and gas industry will continue until underlying structural issues are addressed, regardless of changes in broader political instability.

The Dangers of Alienating Egypt’s Youth

Thu, 06 Mar 2014 14:12:30 +0000

If the interim Egyptian government continues to crack down on demonstrations and activists, marginalized youth may turn to more violent means of protest.

Egypt’s Economy and the Fall of the Beblawi Government

Tue, 04 Mar 2014 16:39:07 +0000

No Egyptian government will be stable unless it successfully addresses the country's many interrelated economic troubles.

Vengeful Justice in Egypt

Thu, 16 Jan 2014 15:42:47 +0000

Transitional justice in Egypt cannot be pursued effectively in the current climate of division and polarization.

Photo Essay: Coloring a Street of Protest

Tue, 14 Jan 2014 16:26:31 +0000

Disillusioned with military rule, Egyptian muralists work together to turn the lens back on the security state and prompt passers-by to reflect on an evolving Egypt.

Egyptian Universities Between the Brotherhood and the Military

Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:29:09 +0000

Egypt’s military and the Muslim Brotherhood take their fight to Egypt’s university campuses, threatening a return of security force control of universities.

Transitional Justice Elusive in Egypt

Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:01:58 +0000

Egyptians’ growing distrust of the judiciary highlights the need for a detailed, efficient, and independent transitional justice system.

Refugees and Egypt’s “Other”

Tue, 05 Nov 2013 14:40:24 +0000

Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Egypt have become a pawn in the government's fight against the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt’s Impeachment Alternative

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 16:57:35 +0000

An effective impeachment law could give Egyptians an alternative to popular revolts or military intervention in ousting a president who places himself above the law.

Tunnel Vision

Tue, 22 Oct 2013 13:43:25 +0000

Egypt is taking unprecedented action to close the tunnels under the Sinai-Gaza border, although it is unclear if such efforts can be sustained.

Photo Essay: Qasr el-Nil Mural, a Dialogue of Form and Topic

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 15:02:10 +0000

An ongoing mural project in Cairo prompts viewers to engage in its public expression of Egypt’s heritage and to reflect on the ideas of Egyptian identity, the loss of culture, social division, beauty, and art.

Too Little, Too Late

Tue, 17 Sep 2013 14:22:00 +0000

Despite resisting military rule following the revolution, Egypt’s liberal opposition gambled on an alliance with their former foes that may eventually prove detrimental to their own interests.

What Will Egypt Mean for Morocco

Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:59:16 +0000

Moroccan reactions to Egypt’s coup are threatening to marginalize the PJD.

Riding the Tiger

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 14:44:42 +0000

Egypt’s revolutionaries have opened the door to an authoritarian comeback by supporting the bloody crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood. Now, they seem to be closing their eyes and hoping for the best.

Sinai’s Role in Morsi’s Ouster

Tue, 20 Aug 2013 13:04:29 +0000

Morsi’s soft approach to security in the Sinai alienated the Egyptian military and provided another reason for them to support the opposition.

Another Violent Islamist Insurgency in Egypt?

Tue, 13 Aug 2013 12:59:00 +0000

Unrest in Egypt could provide room for violent Islamist groups to reemerge, although these groups face organizational challenges likely to prevent a repeat of the 1990s’ insurgencies.

Hamas in the Post-Morsi Period

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 13:12:38 +0000

Hurt by Morsi's ouster in Egypt and alienated from former allies in Syria and Iran, Hamas is struggling to keep itself afloat economically and politically.

A Falling-Out Among Brothers?

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:55:28 +0000

In the aftermath of Morsi’s ouster, Muslim Brotherhood offshoots across the region seek to distance themselves from the “mother” organization—yet they all face the same fundamental challenges.

Deep Runs the Divide

Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:43:00 +0000

The polarization that marked Egyptian society in the past year and reached its peak before the June 30 demonstrations risks becoming the norm.

And Then There Was Sinai

Thu, 11 Jul 2013 14:40:14 +0000

Egypt’s counterterrorism tactics remain ineffective in the face of increasing violence in Sinai.

Egypt in Limbo

Tue, 02 Jul 2013 12:52:31 +0000

The events of June 30 demonstrate that without a strong alternative to a military dominated state or one co-opted by the Muslim Brotherhood, unrest will continue.

The Salafi Choice

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 13:09:36 +0000

Beyond their threat to Egypt’s stability, Jihadi groups in the Sinai jeopardize mainstream Salafis’ political future.

The Battle over Egypt’s Judiciary

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:46:26 +0000

The Muslim Brotherhood has locked horns in a struggle with country's judiciary that veers between full confrontation and guarded accommodation.

The Brotherhood's Bellwether?

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:20:39 +0000

The recent student union elections are being viewed as a forecasting tool for the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections.

Egypt and the IMF: Time for a Different Approach

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The country’s economic problems will hardly be solved by IMF emphasis on austerity.

Unreserved

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Egypt’s foreign reserves are key to understanding its post-uprising economic issues.

And Justice for All?

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

How Egyptians approach the process of reconciling with remnants of the old regime could have major long-term implications for the country.

Half the Country, but Still Unequal

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Post-uprising, gender discrimination in the workplace is still rampant in Egypt.

From Morsi with Love

Tue, 12 Mar 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Rumors of Al-Sisi’s dismissal are only the latest symptoms of dysfunction between Egypt’s president and its military.

Al-Azhar on the Tightrope

Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Egypt’s most prestigious Islamic institution should fight for its autonomy—but stay out of politics.

Egypt’s Hard Economic Choices

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

On the second anniversary of the January 25 revolution, Egypt’s post-Mubarak economic situation does not look reassuring.

Brotherly No More?

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The Muslim Brotherhood is increasingly relying on divisive tactics. But will this help them conquer Egyptian politics or does it risk alienating more people?

A Woman of Their Own?

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The women's movement in Egypt has long depended on the presence of a strong patron from the elite. With that gone, how will it fare?

All Unionized and Nowhere to Go

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 05:00:00 +0000

The future of the Egyptian workers’ movement under the new constitution is uncertain.

Pharaoh Reloaded?

Thu, 08 Nov 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Egypt’s draft constitution proposes a semi-presidential system that risks creating an extremely powerful executive branch.

U.S. Aid and Egypt: It's Complicated

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Changing the US-Egypt aid relationship will prove fraught with complexity given the difficult history.

Still Fighting the Last War? Egypt's Judges after the Revolution

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The judiciary’s struggles are likely to feature unexpected iterations of the older concerns over autonomy and authority.

The Future of Egypt’s Electoral Law

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Negotiations over Egypt’s electoral law will be the first test of the constitution’s durability.

What the Brotherhood Lost

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Morsi squeaked by in the presidential elections, but what do the votes actually say?

Egypt’s Looming Fiscal Crisis

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

No matter who the new Egyptian president is, he will face a daunting challenge: defusing the country's looming fiscal crisis. What options will he have, and where will the money come from?

The Revolution Will Be Improvised

Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The struggle for power within the Arab media is ongoing, with a generation gap that is widening by the day.

Picking a Fight: Khairat al-Shater v. SCAF

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Will the Muslim Brotherhood’s gamble on al-Shater pay off?

Finding a Voice: Egyptian State Newspapers Post-Uprising

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Even state journalists are cautiously becoming more critical of the SCAF in their coverage.

Shades of the Sinai's Instability

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Sinai’s Bedouin have taken up increasingly bold forms of militant resistance since Egypt's uprisings. What is behind this conflict—and how should it be addressed?

Copts' Uphill Battle

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The establishment of “inalienable” rights for all Egyptians is perhaps the most positive step for assisting the full political and social integration of Egypt’s sectarian minorities.

Is the Government-Church Alliance a “Coptic Marriage”?

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Young Coptic activists have been working to fundamentally alter the monopoly—and silence—the church’s hierarchy has imposed on the Orthodox community.

Policing Reform & Reforming Police

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Rather than provide military aid to Egypt and Tunisia, the US should focus on reforming the security sector.

The Generals’ Secret: Egypt’s Ambivalent Market

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The revolution overthrew Mubarak, but not the military elite’s economic monopolies.

Egypt’s Constitution: Conflicting Visions

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The newly elected (and recently assertive) legislature complicates the SCAF’s control over the constitutional process and its timing.

Revolutionary Business: Rethinking Entrepreneurship in the Middle East

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Donors should reevaluate how best to encourage entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa.

Egypt Can’t Replicate the Turkish Model: But It Can Learn From It

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Reformists tout the “Turkish model” as an example for Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood. But the countries’ different neoliberal trajectories suggest that Egypt’s Islamist parties have a much more difficult road ahead.

Egypt’s New Islamists: Emboldening Reform from Within

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Egypt’s revolution has emboldened Islamists from within the Muslim Brotherhood long disenchanted with its conservative leadership. Who are these reformists and what role are they playing in Egypt’s transition?

From Tahrir to Trade: Gaining International Economic Support

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The United States and the European Union must work with Egypt’s newly elected officials and the private sector to restabilize the country’s post-revolution economics.

Will a New Economic Equilibrium Emerge from the Arab Spring?

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Tunisia’s 217-member Constituent Assembly must now write a constitution. What are the next stages of institutional reform?

Mubarak Regime: Redux

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The Egyptian military has emerged as the most serious threat to the transition to democracy; ten months after helping ease Mubarak out of office, SCAF announcements leave no doubt that it intends to maintain its control indefinitely.

Is Military Rule in Egypt Really Temporary?

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000

With the deadline for legislative elections approaching, will the army step down in deference to civilian rule – or tighten its grip in the face of mounting pressures?

Armies and Civilians in the Arab Awakening: An Inevitable Compromise?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:00:00 +0000

While the final outcomes of the Arab transitions are far from over, one thing is certain: civil-military relations will be redefined and renegotiated in every country. Arab militaries will inevitably fulfill a more central role in politics, and formalizing this reality may be the only hope for consolidating democratic transitions.

An Independent Voice for Egypt’s al-Azhar?

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:00:00 +0000

In the aftershocks of Midan Tahrir, al-Azhar declares its support for democracy, pluralism – and its independence from a government that has long manipulated it.

Interview on Security Reform in Egypt with Mohamed Kadry Said

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Mohamed Kadry Said, a military and technology advisor and head of the military studies unit at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, discusses security sector reform in Egypt in an interview with Arab Reform Bulletin Editor Michele Dunne.

Egypt's Freedom & Justice Party: to Be or Not to Be Independent

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 09:00:00 +0000

While Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its new Freedom and Justice Party have gone to lengths to clarify their stances on social issues and the relation between religion and the state, they must further clarify their relationship to each other and allow the party a sufficient level of independence.

Egyptian Democracy and the Sectarian Litmus Test

Wed, 11 May 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Recent sectarian clashes in Cairo and ongoing tensions in Qena highlight the mobilizing power of religion in post-revolution Egypt and raise concerns over how inter-religious relations will be handled by future governments.

Egypt’s Revolution: Two Lessons from History

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 10:00:00 +0000

History has taught Egyptians not to trust promises of reform from the halls of power. As such, popular protest and international pressure must continue and the army must support the protesters or remain neutral for real democratic change to be achieved.

Too Late for Reform Now

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The time for top-down political reform has come and gone in Egypt. In its place the world is seeing bottom-up change, with all its inherent risks.

Copts, Brothers, Salafis, and Autocrats: The Alexandria Bombing and Egypt’s Unresolved Crisis

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The bombing in Egypt of a Coptic church on January 1 is but the latest development in a long history of sectarian tensions that are rooted not in religious differences, but in the absence of basic democratic rights.

Egypt’s Electoral Commission: Who’s Running the Show?

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:00:00 +0000

The Higher Electoral Commission is not an independent, neutral, or capable body as is clamied by Egyptain officials and NDP members.

Interview with Wael Nawara, Secretary General of the Ghad (Tomorrow) Party

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Wael Nawara, the Secretary General of the Ghad Party in Egypt, discusses the opposition's preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections and examines the decisions of the parties that chose to participate and those that chose to boycott.

Interview with Mahmoud Ali Mohamed on Election Monitoring

Mon, 01 Nov 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Mahmoud Ali Mohamed, the Secretary General of the Egyptian Association for Supporting Democratic Development, discusses the experiences of Egypt's civil society in monitoring elections and their outlook on the upcoming parliamentary elections.

ElBaradei and the Mobilization of the Egyptian Diaspora

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:00:00 +0000

After years of political apathy, the Egyptian diaspora is beginning to mobilize around ElBaradei and the demand for voting abroad.

Gamal Mubarak and the Discord in Egypt's Ruling Elite

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Differences between the old guard and the new business elite within the ruling NDP are playing a role in the question of presidential succession.

Interview with Essam al-Arian, member of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s Guidance Bureau

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:00:00 +0000

In the Arab Reform Bulletin's first video interview, Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Essam al-Arian explains the movement's strategy toward fall 2010 People's Assembly elections and the 2011 presidential race. The Brotherhood ran 12 candidates in the June 1, 2010 Shura Council elections, none of whom won a seat.

Parties, Movements, and Prospects for Change in Egypt

Thu, 20 May 2010 09:00:00 +0000

ElBaradei's movement for change is redefining political activism in Egypt and in the process presenting legal opposition parties with difficult choices.

Islamic Satellite Channels and the Ethics of Entertainment in Egypt

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Islamic media attempts to entertain as well as edify reflect the repositioning of Islam within Egyptian society.

Shifts in U.S. Assistance to Egypt Alarm Democracy Advocates

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:00:00 +0000

Redirection of U.S. democracy assistance in Egypt is raising questions about the Obama administration's interest in democracy promotion.

Egypt’s New Brotherhood Leadership: Implications and Limits of Change

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Contentious leadership elections and recent arrests of major figures are testing Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which might face internal splits and be less able to play a leadership role among Islamist organizations.

The ElBaradei Effect on Egyptian Politics

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Former IAEA Chief ElBaradei's criticism of Egypt's electoral process has awakened hopes for ending the country's political stagnation.

The Political Edge of Labor Protests in Egypt

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Real estate tax collectors recently took the unprecedented step of establishing an employees' union independent of government control; Egyptian authorities' response will set the tone for what are likely to be ongoing struggles between labor and the government.

Egypt's Brotherhood Faces Leadership Challenge

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

The Muslim Brotherhood is facing one of the most challenging periods in its history, as it must settle conservative-reformist disputes and elect a new Guide while undergoing a crackdown by Egyptian authorities.

Swine Flu Heightens Fever in Egypt's Christian-Muslim Relations

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The Egyptian government decision to slaughter all pigs to avoid the spread of the H1N1 virus is part of a much broader plan that is disadvantaging poor Copts and Muslims alike.

Whither Egypt's Economic Reform?

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:00:00 +0000

The economic reform program pursued by Prime Minister Nazif for the last five years is now in serious jeopardy.

Will Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Run in 2010?

Tue, 05 May 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Muslim Brotherhood activists are already arguing about whether to run in Egypt's next parliamentary elections, while the organization faces a leadership transition. Meanwhile, observers doubt the government will tolerate the level of Brotherhood participation seen in 2005.

Ramifications of Women’s Rights Initiatives in Egypt

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Initiatives by the National Democratic Party to revise personal status laws and institute a quota for women in parliament have the potential to bring about significant changes in women's rights.

Pressures on Hamas in Reconciliation Talks

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Hamas has faced pressures to recognize Israel and give up "resistance" since its 2006 election, and such issues are at the heart of the Fatah/Hamas talks in Cairo. Egypt wants to keep the pressure up on Hamas, but also wants the talks to succeed. Which way will Hamas go?

Salafism Making Inroads in Egypt

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Islamist and secularist thinkers are expressing concern about the rise of a more radical form of Islamist thought.