Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Eight years into what was once called the "Global War on Terror", U.S. policymakers show a growing recognition that combating violent extremists requires more creative tools. Aid, reform and education are key tools to be used to reduce the allure of political violence.
The Egyptian public sphere is filled with ineffective disputes and debates that provide more noise than substance. This stagnant public sphere is the result not only of the policies of the Egyptian government, but also the weaknesses of non-governmental actors and Egypt’s non-pluralistic culture.
This volume examines the Arab world’s major political actors, assesses the weaknesses of secular parties, and evaluates how incumbent regimes have maintained their grip on power in spite of reform-oriented claims.
President Mubarak's recent trip to Washington focused primarily on rekindling the Washington-Cairo relationship and reaffirming Egypt's strategic role in the region. Regional issues remained the priority, with the Obama administration pursuing a measured approach toward the controversial topic of democracy promotion.
The Algerian government’s response to the global economic crisis is an emergency package months overdue and unlikely to stimulate economic growth. Restrictions on foreign investment, imports and a complete ban on consumer credit will do little to support an already fragile Algerian economy.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's return to Washington offers the opportunity to discuss the Egyptian role in the Arab-Israeli peace process and to examine the important issue of succession.
Egyptian President Mubarak's visit to Washington offers the opportunity to discuss Egypt's role in the region in relation to U.S. priorities. Egypt's domestic politics, particularly the succession issue, also will play a role in further U.S.-Egyptian cooperation.
The United States must balance its advocacy for human rights and democracy promotion in Egypt and the broader Arab world with other strategic interests; it would be wrongheaded to completely cut off ties with authoritarian regimes.
A wise U.S. policy towards Egypt would simultaneously seek stability and promote democracy through cooperative measures that build partnerships with citizens abroad, not just with their governments.
The Obama administration should reconsider its disengagement with Egypt on democracy promotion and civil society efforts in light of the impending succession of President Hosni Mubarak.