MEC - Egypt

Egyptian Elections, Round One

Samer Shehata, Michael Hanna, Marina Ottaway, Barbara Slavin — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The outcome of the presidential elections will have a major impact on the future of Egypt, affecting the power of the Islamist parties, the position of the military, and its economic future.

The Economic Agenda of the Islamist Parties

Ibrahim Saif, Muhammad Abu Rumman — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:20:56 +0000

The economic platforms of Islamist parties have largely been overlooked, despite the serious challenges that lie ahead for the economies of the Arab world.

Egypt Elections: Setback for the Transition

Marina Ottaway — Sun, 27 May 2012 14:47:25 +0000

The result of the first round of Egypt’s presidential election seems poised to be the prelude to a direct confrontation between the old regime and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Political Islamism is Not to be Feared

Marwan Muasher — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:48:56 +0000

Only a coalition of pluralists can succeed in building a democratic society where the majority rules, where minority rights are respected, and where individual rights are safe and the rule of law applies to all, without favoritism.

The Emerging Order in the Middle East

Sinan Ülgen, Nathan Brown, Marina Ottaway, Paul Salem — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:02:09 +0000

The best hope for reconciliation and democracy promotion in the Arab world comes from a focus on economic reform and other concrete issues.

Islamist Parties in Power: A Work in Progress

Marina Ottaway, Marwan Muasher — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:23:36 +0000

Islamist parties seem to be evolving rapidly as they learn to navigate through the difficult politics and the uncertain democratic processes of their countries.

Egypt and Islamic Sharia: A Guide for the Perplexed

Nathan Brown — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:21:17 +0000

Egypt’s post-revolutionary environment—and especially its constitutional process—has touched off debates within the country and confusion outside of it regarding the role of the Islamic sharia in the emerging legal and political order.

Despite Clouds, Arab Spring has Not Turned to Winter

Paul Salem — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:20:50 +0000

Together, Europeans and Arabs can build a better future, built on a wider set of common political and social values. The Arab world’s breakthrough was late in coming, but it is here.

UNDP’s Arab Development Challenges Report 2011: Towards the Developmental State in the Arab Region

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

To respond to the demands for social justice reverberating across the Arab world, Arab countries should adopt a “developmental state” model based on a new social contract of mutual accountability and shed the rentier-based political economy model.

Egypt's Next President

Marina Ottaway — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:23:21 +0000

With Egypt’s transition to democracy in some doubt, the presidential election is hugely important. But without a new constitution in place, a new battle could be looming on the horizon as the president’s powers are likely to be reduced during his term.

What Prevents Arab Students from Pursuing Vocational Education?

Ibrahim Saif — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:28:35 +0000

A shift in the nature of Arab educational systems toward incentivizing technical and vocational training is one possible long-term solution to the problem of unemployment among the youth of the Arab world.

A Discussion with Amr Hamzawy

Amr Hamzawy, Marina Ottaway, Marwan Muasher — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Amr Hamzawy, one of Egypt’s best known liberal members of parliament and one of the founding members of the Carnegie Middle East program, returns to Carnegie to discuss the transition in Egypt and the nature of the political process.

International Institutions' New Approach Toward Arab Countries

Ibrahim Saif — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:42:36 +0000

Arab governments’ relations with international institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, are experiencing a significant change. How will relations between the new Arab governments and these institutions develop going forward?

Islamists and Education in the Arab World

Muhammad Faour — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:18:09 +0000

The Islamist ascent to power in parts of the Arab world has stirred up concerns about the effect this Islamist rise might have on education in the region.

Inevitable Democracy in the Arab World: New Realities in an Ancient Land

وسام يافي, Paul Salem — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Four dynamics are leading to change in the Arab world: geo-economic, geo-social, geo-political, and technological. And with few exceptions, no political system will be able to support the dynamics currently in place over the long term, except for democracy.

Egypt's Transition Imbroglio

Nathan Brown — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:31:15 +0000

The rapid developments over the past month have shown that legal and constitutional loopholes have the potential to seriously undermine Egypt’s democratic transition.

Do the Islamists Provide Economic Alternatives?

Ibrahim Saif — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:02:28 +0000

Throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Islamist parties are garnering electoral success. A strong economic policy is essential for ensuring that voters remain confident and supportive of Islamist parties in the future.

Islamists in Power: Views from Within

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Islamist parties will have a dominant impact on the outcome of Arab transitions, but there is little understanding in Washington of what that will mean for governing.

Egypt's Muddy Waters

Nathan Brown — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:22:56 +0000

The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's decision to abandon its pledge not to run a presidential candidate is a strong indication of the Brotherhood’s conversion to a fully political logic.

Troubles Financing the Arab World’s SMEs Hurt Growth

Lahcen Achy — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Small- and medium-size enterprises are already playing a key role in the economies of the Arab world. But limited access to financing prevents those enterprises from unleashing their full potential, boosting economic growth, and creating much-needed jobs.

The Arab League Summit and the Syrian Crisis

Paul Salem, Yezid Sayigh, Maria Fantappie — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Iraq hosted the Arab League summit last week, a significant development for a country that has been marginalized from its Arab neighbors. But as Arab relations with Iraq improve, relations with its neighbor Syria are deteriorating.

Turkey in the New Middle East

Sinan Ülgen, Paul Salem — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

With democratic change struggling to take root in the Arab world, it remains to be seen whether Turkey can serve as a model for those who hope to usher the region through the difficult transition to a more democratic order.

Rentier Economy Fueling Unemployment and Poor Job Quality in the Arab World

Lahcen Achy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Arab regimes, challenged by rapid demographic growth and an increase in the number of educated job seekers, must transition their economies toward more merit-based competition and economic performance through productive investment.

Egypt’s Transition in Crisis: Falling into the Wrong Turkish Model?

Marina Ottaway, Nathan Brown — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Egypt risks following a Turkish model where the military, backed by other key institutions and secular political parties, acts against Islamist movements.

Midnight for the SCAF's Cinderella Story

Nathan Brown — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

In the year since Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces drafted and issued its "Constitutional Declaration," the Egyptian political process has followed no consistent political logic. The revolution has made Egypt a country where nobody (or everybody) is in charge.