Features / Political Review
Egypt: Crude Democracy?
Egypt's oil and gas sectors have been vital drivers of the economy through years of dictatorship, revolution, and democratic upheaval. Like any aspect of life in Egypt since the January 25 revolution, the industry's fortunes have ebbed and flowed. And yet its relationship with Egypt's under-construction democracy is more complex than it might first appear. A Constitution ”For All Those Determined”
In an article last month, I wrote that the new Egyptian constitution must accomplish these three aims: prevent presidential autocracies, limit the authority of the military, and provide more rights for more Egyptians. Given that the draft constitution has been finalized, and a national referendum on the draft will commence on the 14th and 15th of January, I believe it is necessary to examine the degree to which the amended constitution accomplishes the lofty aims set forth in my December article. Although the draft constitution of 2013 takes some positive steps in the realms of protecting rights and freedoms and preventing presidential autocracies, it ultimately fails to limit the power of the military. Instead, it appears to pave the way for greater military involvement in politics as an unchecked, quasi-government entity. The Defendant Pleads Legitimate
Mohamed Morsi's appearance in court on November 4 was a sober reminder that the former president and his Muslim Brotherhood have not completely disappeared from the Egyptian political scene. Moreover, Morsi's assertion that he remains the legitimate president of Egypt revealed that the former president has not surrendered to the military's political roadmap-a plan that many Egyptians grudgingly accept as a political reality. Morsi's fate now lies in the hands of the judiciary, but that does not necessarily mean that his trial will be characterized by impartiality. A Constitution to End All Constitutions
As Egypt struggles to navigate its political roadmap following the revolutionary events of 25 January 2011, the debate over the constitution is proving to be a major roadblock. The West and the Rest on Egypt’s Crackdown
The removal of Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi from power on July 3 and the consequent crackdown on his supporters and other members of the Muslim Brotherhood has caused political turmoil, chaos and left over 1,000 dead within Egypt. Outside of Egypt, the military's bold course of action provoked a wide range of responses from regional and international actors. An analysis of the varied responses to the crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood provides insight into the interests of major international and regional actors. The Redefining of the Muslim Brotherhood
The election of the Muslim Brotherhood's candidate, Mohamed Morsi, as the president of Egypt seemed to signal a promising future for an organization that was banned for the nearly six decades leading up to the January 25th Revolution. The Decline of Morsi
One year after coming to power, Egypt's first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi was thrown out of office. Morsi loyalists continue to take to the streets defending the ousted president's legitimacy while the opposition holds demonstrations in Tahrir to show support for Morsi's overthrow. Many outside observers have questioned how this precedent will impact Egypt's future political landscape. While it is impossible to predict what the future holds for the Egypt, hindsight allows us to examine the decisions and failures that lead to his ouster. This article explores the grievances that led up to July 3rd. The Elusive IMF Loan
Many investors, politicians, and Egyptian citizens are hoping for a speedy agreement concerning the proposed $4.8 billion IMF loan to Egypt. Investors and businessmen believe that the loan will provide the short term economic stability needed to shore up investment. The Egyptian government sorely needs the financing for cash-strapped sectors of the economy. Egyptian citizens, view the loan as a litmus test for the ability of the government to provide the minimum level of economic security for its citizens. Despite months of negotiations, the Egyptian government and the IMF appear no closer to reaching an agreement over the loan. Meanwhile, political turmoil threatens future progress, and the economic situation in the country continues to deteriorate. An increasingly weary IMF and constantly changing government are unlikely to arrive at an agreement over the loan anytime in the near future. 
