[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.]
Regional and International Relations
Egypt’s Foreign Policy of Isolation
Ahmed Naje examines Egypt’s foreign policies that are leading to its regional and global isolation.
ISIS Airstrikes: How to Rehabilitate Dictators and Destroy the Revolution
Maged Mandour says, “The American intervention will strengthen the hand of Arab autocrats against their opponents, Islamists and non-Islamists alike. It lends credibility to the `war against terror` rhetoric that these regimes use as a suppressant to the revolution.”
Sisi at the UN
Editors of the Middle East Research and Information Project (MERIP) react to al-Sisi’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly.
President Sisi Goes to the United Nations
Amy Hawthorne and Tarek Radwan analyze al-Sisi’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly in which he covered Egypt’s commitment to democracy, the threat of terrorism, the country’s foreign policy, and the economy.
President El-Sisi in New York and Beyond
Dina Ezzat writes, “President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi is ‘considerably satisfied’ with his reception at the UN General Assembly, with associates saying he returns to Egypt with added confidence that may change his style of rule.”
ISIS Encourages Egyptian Insurgents to Continue Attacks
The Guardian reports, “ISIS calls on Sinai militants to carry on with beheadings and bomb attacks against Egypt’s security forces after Cairo blast.”
Egypt`s Border with Libya, Sudan Ripe for Islamic State Expansion
Mahmoud Salem argues, “Egypt’s border regions with Libya and Sudan lack government control, and are perfect ground for would-be jihadists to conduct smuggling and build up their strength.”
How Israel Spies on Sinai
Al-Monitor reports on Israel’s methods to infiltrate spies into Sinai.
An Inconvenient War
Ahmed El-Ashram reflects on the socioeconomic hardships in Egypt and the regional crises that have evolved as a result of the Arab uprisings.
Political Economy
Egypt is Open for Business…and They Have a Canal to Prove It
Svetlana Milbert explores development projects in Egypt that al-Sisi’s presidency claims aim to reform the country’s economy.
Who Is the Town For?
Pesha Magid sheds light on the hardships street vendors face after the state has enforced relocating them to an abandoned parking complex in Turgoman.
Bringing Back Tourism?
Emil Filtenborg Mikkelsen says, “Security and economic challenges could mean attempts to rescue the Egyptian tourism industry are out of the government`s hands.”
Rule of Law and Human Rights
Egypt Raises Stakes for Dissent with Life Sentence
Sarah El-Sirgany writes on al-Sisi’s legislative amendment that expands the penalty of receiving funds for NGOs to a life sentence.
New Report Criticizes Freedom of Expression during Al-Sisi’s Presidency
Marwa Morgan writes on the Arab Network for Human Rights Information’s report, which focuses on the restrictions of freedoms under al-Sisi’s presidency.
From Jubilation in Tahrir, Egypt Returns to Mubarak-Era Politics
Lin Noueihed comments on the political conditions in the country.
Politics and Law in Mubarak’s Trial
Omar Said argues that the political situation has influenced Mubarak’s trial since the early stages of the trial.
A Timeline of the Mubarak Trial
Omar Said summarizes the developments of former president Hosni Mubarak’s trial since 11 February 2011.
From Midwives to Doctors: Searching for “Safer” Circumcisions in Egypt?
Sarah Abdel Rahim argues that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) has now taken a “modern” twist with mothers increasingly turning to doctors to perform the rampant procedure on girls.
When Prisoners Vanish
Sharif Abdel Koudous details the Abdel Koudous brothers’ case who have been imprisoned for five months although bail was paid to legally release them.
Eight Men Put on Trial in Cairo Over Egypt’s ‘First Gay Marriage’
Patrick Kingsley reports, “Prosecutors allege the men participated in a gay wedding that sparked media backlash after footage of the ceremony emerged.”
Egypt’s “Gay Wedding” Furor: A Ship of Fools
Scott Long compares the public’s indifference to violence committed against women in Egypt and the outrage over a video showing a gay marriage ceremony taking place on a boat cruising the Nile River in Cairo.
Ahmed Seif: A Compassionate Fighter, A Legal Scientist
Hiba Afify remembers the late human rights lawyer Ahmed Seif. This article is translated and published in Arabic.
Reports and Opinions
The Conscript in Egyptian Films
In a two-part piece, Adham Youssef analyzes the perception of the conscript in Egyptian films since the 1950s.
Exhibition Showcases Hazards of Plastic Waste
Isabel Esterman writes on “Out to Sea? The Plastic Garbage Project” that sheds light on the polluting effect of plastic bags through an informative and artistic exhibition held in Cairo.
Dad, What Is the Color of God?
Maha ElNabawi reviews Bassem Yousri’s art exhibition held in downtown Cairo.
Does Sisi Have A Political Vision?
Farid Zahran argues President Abdelfattah al-Sisi depended on two main forces that led to his emergence as the current president of the country; the first force is the army, and the second is public support.
In Arabic
الدولة المعتمة والمواطن الشفاف .. مراقبة بلا قانون أو ضمانات
Amr Hamzawy offers a comparative analysis between democratic systems and undemocratic regimes in regards to transparency, the rule of law, and accountability.
السياسة المحظورة فى الجامعات
Fahmy Huwaidy comments on the new imposed restrictions on students and faculty in universities in Egypt.
الحوار الاجتماعي هو السبيل اﻷكثر فاعلية لمواجهة اﻷزمات الاقتصادية والاجتماعية
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights releases a two-part study entitled: “Opportunities for Social Dialogue in Egypt.” It examines the most effective means to solve economic and social challenges. This study is published and translated to English.
قاضيات ومحاميات عرب يُطالبن باﻹفراج الفوري عن يارا سلام
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights reports that a group of Arab women lawyers and judges demand the immediate release of Yara Sallam. This piece is translated and published in English.
«9 مارس»: تعديلات قانون تنظيم الجامعات تودى بهيبة الأساتذة.. وتتعارض مع الدستور
Omar Said reports on Cairo University’s faculty press conference that focused on university regulation law and the faculty’s reaction to the amendments that have been made.
طارق غطاس: التعددية الحزبية بين عبدالناصر والسيسي
Tarek Ghattas argues political parties have not served an effective political purpose.
بين حوار "أسوشيتد برس" وبيان الأمم المتحدة.. ماذا قال السيسي
Shadi Zalt comments on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s interview with the Associated Press and his visit to the United Nations.
"رجع بطاقتك": هل يستجيب المستفيدون من الدعم لمبادرة وزارة التموين؟
Ranya Tarek writes on Ministry of Supply’s initiative to support minimum wage citizens.
الشتات الإخواني: كواليس خروج الإخوان من قطر
Mada Masr reports on “the Brotherhood Diaspora” after seven Muslim Brotherhood figures were expelled from Qatar.
تفاؤل بين الكنائس المصريّة بإنفراج أزمة "دور العبادة" وسط تربّص تيّارات دينيّة
Ahmed Fouad argues, “The houses of worship law is likely to pass in the Egyptian parliament, but the problem lies in whether the government can enforce it amid the apprehensions of radical Salafists.” This article is translated and published in English.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
Ahmed Douma: Two Poems
Elliot Colla translates two poems written by imprisoned activist Ahmed Douma in 2010 and 2011.
New Texts Out Now: Laurie A. Brand, Official Stories: Politics and National Narratives in Egypt and Algeria
Jadaliyya interviews Lauri A. Brand who has recently published a book entitled: “Official Stories: Political and National Narratives in Egypt and Algeria.”
Mehdi Haddab
Medrar TV reports on Algerian French musician Mehdi Haddab who performed with a group of musicians in Cairo.