President Morsi's Effect on Egyptian Foreign Policy

{
  "authors": [
    "Marina Ottaway"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
    "Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "North Africa",
    "Egypt"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform"
  ]
}

In The Media

President Morsi's Effect on Egyptian Foreign Policy

Despite fears in the United States, Egyptian foreign policy under President Morsi has been marked by continuity rather than a fundamental paradigm shift.

By Marina Ottaway

Published on Sep 27, 2012

Source: KPCC Southern California Public Radio

The rise to power of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and the presidency of Mohammed Morsi stoked fears in the United States that Egypt, long a linchpin of American foreign policy, would dramatically alter the balance of power in region. However, noted Carnegie's Marina Ottaway on KPCC Southern California Public Radio, “So far, we have no reason to expect dramatic changes. While there is a lot of anxiety in the U.S. and elsewhere, if you are looking for concrete policy changes, it’s difficult to see any at this point.” At his UN General Assembly speech, Morsi did not announce any fundamental changes in policy, Ottaway added. Rather, he confirmed that Egypt would continue to respect international treaties—crucially, including Camp David—and called for the international community to accept its responsibility to further the peace process. Egypt has also attempted to forge a solution to the Syrian crisis through its convening of Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Ultimately, Egyptian foreign policy to this point under Morsi has been bereft of fundamental policy changes, Ottaway concluded.

Political Reform North Africa Egypt

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie China

Commentary
China’s Rising Influence in the Middle East
Transactional relationships are stable but can be shallow.
+1
Paul Haenle, Maha Yahya, Benjamin Ho, …
Commentary
What the Russian War in Ukraine Means for the Middle East
It’s about managing oil prices, bread prices, and strategic partnerships.
+8
Amr Hamzawy, Karim Sadjadpour, Aaron David Miller, …
Commentary
A Message to the Carnegie Endowment Community
The murder of George Floyd has underscored the deep inequities that have long plagued American society. In a note to the Carnegie community, Bill Burns reflects on Carnegie’s commitment to build a more just future here at home and around the world, without which peace will remain beyond our grasp.
William J. Burns
Commentary
U.S., China Should Pursue Peace, Not Military Brinkmanship
While the world hoped this pandemic might lead to more cooperation between these two great powers, American and Chinese leaders instead fell into a blame game and allowed their increasing suspicions to guide their decision-making.
Lyu Jinghua
Commentary
Travails of an Interconnected World: From Pandemics to the Digital Economy
Biological viruses and computer malware differ in important respects. They have considerable potential to spread widely, invading, disrupting and destroying their targets.
Ariel (Eli) Levite, Lyu Jinghua

More Work from Carnegie China

Commentary

China’s Rising Influence in the Middle East

Transactional relationships are stable but can be shallow.

- +1
Paul Haenle, Maha Yahya, Benjamin Ho, …

Commentary

What the Russian War in Ukraine Means for the Middle East

It’s about managing oil prices, bread prices, and strategic partnerships.

- +8
Amr Hamzawy, Karim Sadjadpour, Aaron David Miller, …

Commentary

A Message to the Carnegie Endowment Community

The murder of George Floyd has underscored the deep inequities that have long plagued American society. In a note to the Carnegie community, Bill Burns reflects on Carnegie’s commitment to build a more just future here at home and around the world, without which peace will remain beyond our grasp.

William J. Burns

Commentary

U.S., China Should Pursue Peace, Not Military Brinkmanship

While the world hoped this pandemic might lead to more cooperation between these two great powers, American and Chinese leaders instead fell into a blame game and allowed their increasing suspicions to guide their decision-making.

Lyu Jinghua

Commentary

Travails of an Interconnected World: From Pandemics to the Digital Economy

Biological viruses and computer malware differ in important respects. They have considerable potential to spread widely, invading, disrupting and destroying their targets.

Ariel (Eli) Levite, Lyu Jinghua