Jadaliyya is hereby presenting the third installment in a interactive (see below) series called "A Portrait of a Revolutionary," featuring interviews with an Egyptian journalist and activist who was at the forefront of the Egyptian protest movement. Hossam`s vantage point is quite unique, and his broad knowledge of the Egyptian political landscape as well as history positions him to provide an unparalleled account of the the context and developments that have led to the resignation of former Egyptian President, Husni Mubarak, and the aftermath.
Below is the third part of the interview. The second part addresses the role of the army and can be viewed here. The first part, which can be viewed here, deals with the role of the Egyptian labor unions in tipping the scale during the last days before Mubrak`s resignation. It is in Arabic.
This third part addresses the role of the political and, mainly, the economic elite during and after the revolt, with emphasis on where they stand now and what their strategies are for getting back into the political arena. Hossam provides a vivid account that is certainly missing from mainstream accounts, even those in the region, including Al-Jazeera (oooh).
I would like to make this a somewhat interactive interview by asking readers to pose their own questions to Hossam after watching the interview. Hossam already answered the readers` questions from the past interview. I will relay the most productive questions, so please feel free to post your (clear/concise) questions under the comments, below.
The upcoming fourth part will be about the role and prospects of the Muslim Brotherhood, during and after the revolution. We will also address the question of "Islamists" and the fear of an "Islamist" take-over that is dinner-table discussion in mainstream circles in the United States.
Hossam El-Hamalawy is an Egyptian journalist and activist who maintains the popular site www.arabawy.org and has a piece on Jadaliyya here.
The Egyptian Elite and the Egyptian Revolt: Video Interview with Hossam El-Hamalawi (Part 3) from Jadaliyya on Vimeo.
Click here for Part 1: The Role of Labor/Unions in the Egyptian Revolution.
Click here for Part 2: The Role of the Egyptian Army.