[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week`s roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Getting Egypt Right: Policy Challenges For the EU and the US
Alvaro Vasconcelos and Michele Dunne argue that the European Union’s policies toward Egypt have gone through several phases including “democratic reform, migration management, and the fight against terrorism.”
Sisi and His Women
Dalia Rabie writes, “The military candidate appeals to women without offering much in return.”
Sisi Posters and the Politics of Patronage
Jano Charbel writes on al-Sisi’s electoral campaign spending compared to Sabbahi’s.
The Islamist Stance on the Coming Elections
Nader Bakkar writes on the Islamists’ stance on the presidential election in which he divides Islamists into three groups: the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Nour Party, and independent Salafi ulema.
The Driving Force Behind Hamdeen Sabbahi`s Presidential Bid
Khaled Dawoud offers some insights on the reasons behinds Sabbahi’s presidential candidacy.
Why Monitor an Election with a Foregone Conclusion?
Joel Gulhane writes on the stance of the European Union and African Union toward the presidential elections.
Egypt’s Fight Against a Boycott
Nervana Mahmoud sheds light on the actors involved in ‘active’ and ‘passive’ boycott of the presidential election.
Egypt’s Lopsided Presidential Elections, and Then What?
EgyptSources recaps a panel on the outcomes of the presidential election, which included H.A. Hellyer, Yussef Auf, and Michael Hanna.
Sisi: A New Nasser or a New Sadat?
Tom Dale focuses on the similarities and differences between al-Sisi, Sadat, and Nasser in domestic and foreign policies.
On Tutelage and Abolishing the Right of Citizens to Choose
Amr Hamzawy posits that the January 25 Revolution has not shook off political, social, or religious elites.
Stay Off the Street
Jillian Schwedler reacts to Anne Applebaum’s article titled “Dictatorship Doublespeak” in which she argues that Egypt’s next president should follow India, Brazil, or South Africa’s footsteps on how to implement democracy instead of the United States’.
Security Forces Raid The Egyptian Center For Economic And Social Rights, Alexandria Branch, And Sexually Harass Females
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) release a joint statement by NGOs condemning the security forces’ raid on The Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights in Alexandria.
Dictatorship Doublespeak
Anne Applebaum addresses the question, “why the authoritarian critique of Western democracy misses the mark.”
Egypt’s Parliamentary Elections Law in the Works
Mai El-Sadany sheds light on the initial stages of the eight-person committee appointed by interim President Adly Masour “to amend the 1956 Political Rights Law and the 1972 Law Regulating the Performance of the House of Representatives.”
Abdel Fatah al-Sisi: Behind the Public Face of Egypt`s Soon-To-Be President
Patrick Kingsley says, “Former military chief who is a shoo-in for leader has given little away during election campaign.”
Alaa Abdel-Fattah: Poster Child of a Revolution on Hold
Amira Howeidy says, “Disenchanted with the failures of the revolutionary forces, prominent activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah is readying himself to go back to prison amid a widening clampdown on dissent.”
Egypt Outlook: The Struggle Between a Pessimistic Present and an Optimistic Future
Ahmed Abou El Saad and Eric Swats offer some insights on possible growth in Egypt’s economy in the future.
Would Voting Legitimize Elections?
Wael Eskabdar argues that while the voting process may be transparent and free, this presidential election lacks fairness and objectivity.
Egypt’s Rule of Law: Strong on Paper, Shakier on the Ground
Basil El-Dabh argues that the government has cited the “rule of law” for the past three years when convenient.
The Spoiler on Egypt’s Elections
Wael Nawara argues, “The preliminary results signal that the Sisi era is here, but do not discount the January revolution after just three years.”
And A Toast To You All…
Mahmoud Salem offers some insights on two possible outcomes of al-Sisi’s presidency.
EU Observation of Egypt’s Elections Could Prove Costly
Aziz El-Kaissouni sheds light on the controversial announcement of the European Union to send an election observation mission (EOM) to monitor Egypt’s presidential election, as well as the policies that shape the EOM.
The Fascist Tendencies of A Proud Nation
Rasheed Hammouda and Mohamed Ibrahim argue that fascism in Egypt is on the rise through the exploitation of nationalistic rhetoric, as well as attempts to impose austerity measures.
Egypt’s Struggling Labor Movement
Phoebe Bierly sheds light on the challenges labor movements face in Egypt, as well as the internal schisms these movements suffer from.
Tomorrow’s Egypt
Johannes Amin Makar posits that al-Sisi deviates from his predecessors, specifically Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar al-Sadat, with regards to the state’s relation with Islamists and the religious establishments, as well as Egypt’s foreign policy.
To Stop Terrorism, Egypt Needs Support and Reconciliation
Daniel Nisman argues that Egypt’s next president “must first eradicate what has become the most serious Islamist insurgency in Egypt’s history,” before embarking on the daunting task of “ensuring food and petrol stability.”
The Mubarak Mansions
Hossam Bahgat writes on “how Egyptians unknowingly paid for the ruling family`s lavish lifestyle.”
‘Exit Door’: A Passage Between Revolution Fiction and Reality
Amany Ali Shawky reviews Ezzehine Choukri Fishere’s Bab al-Khoroug’s (Exit Door) novel.
Songs For Voting To
Jenifer Evans and Andeel reflect on Emirati singer Hussein al-Jasmi’s song Boshret Kheir (A Good Omen) that calls on Egyptians to participate in the upcoming presidential elections.
In Egypt, When Words Lose Their Meaning
Islam Abdel-Rahman argues, “The real question everyone should be discussing in Egypt is not who will win the next elections: but how will the situation in Egypt withstand such a precarious regime? All Sisi has is his gun.”
Egypt`s Salafist Party Plays Neutral Amid Anti-Islamist Wave
Sarah El-Rashidi argues, “The Nour Party, the last major Islamist party in Egypt, is sticking to pragmatic neutrality in an attempt to keep the Islamist current alive in Egyptian politics.”
Egyptian Media’s Warring Factions
Kareem Farid argues that certain media outlets “turned themselves into tools used by the state to spread theories of international conspiracies against Egypt and to fight any voice calling for the respect of human rights.”
Infighting Among Sisi`s Loyal Media Supporters
Dailia Rabie writes on a conference organized by al-Sisi supporters in which panelists discussed “the future of the media and its challenges under a Sisi presidency.”
Going to Market
Isabel Esterman argues, “Public and private companies look to the stock exchange to raise capital.”
Welcome to the `Factory of Men`
Mina Fayek reflects on his compulsory service in the military by highlighting the oppression soldiers face within their units.
Will Sisi Consider Military Rule Over Egypt`s Bureaucracy?
Mahmoud Salem says, “Egypt’s bloated and inefficient government agencies would clash with military oversight should Abdel Fattah al-Sisi be elected president.”
From the Campaigns: End of the Line
Sarah Carr writes on Conference Party rally for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
How Rent Could Solve the Housing Problem
Yahia Shawkat suggests that putting housing units for rent is a win-win option for all parties involved instead of focusing on ownership through mortgage schemes.
Out of Egypt
Sharif S. Elmusa writes a poem reflecting on his departure from Egypt as a Palestinian teacher at the American University in Cairo.
Modern Serfdom
Maged Mandour says, “It is important to understand that the struggle of Egyptians, Syrians, Iranians…etc is in essence a struggle against a social condition, what I call `modern serfdom`. This almost complete system of oppression can only be broken on an international scale.”
In Arabic:
الشيطنة تعقد الأزمة ولا تحلها
Fahmy Huwaidy argues dehumanizing particular groups does not resolve the crisis.
إنها حقا ليبرالية
Amr Hamzawy critiques ‘liberal’ movements’ contradictory stance toward human rights violations and support for religious establishments for political gains.
الطريق لقانون مجلس النواب...نموذج لاختلاف الأجيال
Sahrif Bahgat and Shukri Asmar write on the process of establishing parliamentary laws in Egypt.
أمريكا تتلكأ في المساعدات العسكرية لمصر وسط انتهاكات لحقوق الانسان
REUTERS says the United States remains cautious in providing military aid to Egypt in light of the authorities’ violations of human rights.
من أجل إرساء دولة القانون - عشرة مطالب يتعين على الرئيس القادم فعلها بشأن حقوق الإنسان
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) lists ten demands on Egypt’s next president “to anchor the rule of law” in the country.
مسئولين وخبراء مصريين يتجهون لاتخاذ سياسات أكثر هدوءاً من سد النهضة الإثيوبي
Aya Aman says, “Egypt has toned down its rhetoric on Ethiopia’s controversial Renaissance Dam, adopting instead a conciliatory approach with Addis Ababa to resolve the dispute.”
تقرير لما حدث
Amr Khafaga argues that before the Egyptian government embarks on resolving the economic and energy crisis it should ensure the protection of the poor.
قصور آل مبارك
Hossam Bahgat writes on “how Egyptians unknowingly paid for the ruling family`s lavish lifestyle.”
السيسي: حملة اللا حملة
Mai Shams El-Din writes on her and Mada Masr’s attempts to reach out to al-Sisi’s campaign spokespersons.
مرشحا الرئاسة والكنيسة و"غزوة الصناديق"
Isaac Ibrahim writes on al-Sisi and Sabahi’s negligence in addressing the issue of discrimination against religious minorities, namely Copts, in Egypt.
أين مياه الشرب في سيناء؟
Omar Riyad sheds light on water scarcity in Sinai.
لماذا ترفض الحكومة المصرية زيارات المراقبين المستقلين للسجون؟
Dayana al-Tahawi, Rida Mere’e, Taher Mukhtar, and Hani Mustafa address the underlying reasons of the government’s restrictions of independent prison monitoring groups in Egypt.
هل ماتت الثورات العربية بالفعل؟
Fouad Halbouni responses to French philosopher Alain Badiou’s statements on the Arab uprisings.
دراما الأكشاك المفخخة وبرنامج السيسي الانتخابي
Mustafa Shawki argues that al-Sisi’s presidential campaign is taking advantage of the insecurity that has ensued Egypt following Morsi’s ouster.
هل يمكن أن ينجح صباحي في إنقاذ البلاد؟
Wael Nawara sheds light on Sabbahi’s presidential campaign objectives.
الجزائر تفكر في التحالف مع مصر لمواجهة خطر الإرهاب النابع من ليبيا
Omar Shabi argues that an Algerian-Egyptian alliance in the works to fight ‘terrorism’ stemming from Libya.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt:
International Petition to Egyptian NHCR and Regime: Stop the Death of Abdallah Al Shamy and Mohamed Sultan - Transfer and Release Them Now
Jadaliyya’s Reports Page releases a petition aimed to raise awareness on the status of al-Jazeera Journalist Abdallah El Shamy and son of Muslim preacher Mohamed Sultan.
Mahmoud Khaled: Painter on a Study Trip
Medrar TV reports on artist Mahmoud Khaled’s gallery titled “Painter on a Study Trip.”
عن أحمد وعبدالله ومحمد وماهينور وإسلام
Ahdaf Soueif reacts to court’s verdict against nine activists.
Joint Statement: Verdict Against Mahienour El-Massry Must be Renunciated, The Protest and Public Assembly Law Needs to be Revised
Jadaliyya’s Reports Page publishes Nazara for Feminist Studies’ statement on the two-year sentence against activist Mahienour El-Massry.
Quick Thoughts: Hesham Sallam on the Egyptian Presidential Election
Hesham Sallam offers insights on the significance of the presidential election, the implications of al-Sisi’s potential win, the stance of the Muslim Brotherhood toward the upcoming elections, and the socio-economic challenges that will face Egypt’s next president.