[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, Gulf Arab Allies Eye Anti-Militant Alliance
Hamza Hidawy writes on the regional dynamics that led Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Egypt to discuss the possibility of establishing a military coalition.
Egypt’s War on Terror: ISIS, President Sisi, and the U.S.-led Coalition
Mohammed al-Menshawy analyzes Egypt’s regional role on the fight on the Islamic State in Syrian and Iraq (ISIS).
`Situation in Libya Affects Neighboring States, Including Egypt`: Libyan Ambassador in Cairo
Osman Fekry interviews Libya’s ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Faiz Gabriel.
132 Arrested Attempting to Illegally Enter Libya
Daily Egypt News reports.
Do Not Cut Aid to Egypt: The Hopeful Case for Supporting Egyptian President Sisi
Ahmed Zewail argues that reducing United States aid to Egypt will harm the two countries’ relations.
International Relations: Between Values and Interests
Emad Gad writes that the United States’ relations with Egypt are based on interests and not principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights.
US Neutrality towards Egypt is Not an Option
Mohammed al-Menshawy argues, “The US administration aimed to stay neutral over post-June 2013 developments in Egypt, but it ultimately failed.”
Egypt, Cyprus, Greece Hold Summit in Cairo
The summit touched on issues of sovereignty, Cyprus’ conflict with Turkey, and the importance of the European Union’s support to Egypt, Mada Masr reports.
What Happened to the Middle East Marshall Plan?
Robert Mason asks, “With economic instability and political upheaval spreading through the Arab world, is it time for a Middle East Marshall Plan?”
Security
The Islamic State and the Internationalization of the Sinai Conflict
Zack Gold writes on Ansar Bait al-Maqdis’ alleged alliance with the Islamic State.
Five “Extremists” Killed and Three Injured in North Sinai – Sources
Aswat Masriya reports.
Three Killed in Clashes, Attacks Across Egypt – Sources
Aswat Masriya reports.
A History of Forced Relocations
Isabel Esterman writes on forced evacuations in Malaya, Burma, Vietnam, and India, and how they relate to the larger discourse on the current military evacuations of residents in Northern Sinai.
When Home Is Lost
Heba Afify writes on displaced Nubians in Egypt, comparing them with the forcibly evacuated residents of Northern Sinai.
Sinai: Forgotten Development and Present Terrorism
Ahmed El-Sayed Al-Naggar argues, “Population resettlement and comprehensive development in Sinai is realizable and a national imperative, offering the best strategic defense against Zionist plots and religious extremism and terrorism.”
Egypt Crackdown Angers People in Sinai Border Town
Fares Akram and Merrit Kennedy write on the reactions of forcibly evacuated residents in Northern Sinai.
Egypt Levels Sinai Homes in New Strategy against Islamist Militants
Reuters reports on the military’s forced evacuations in Northern Sinai and the residents’ reactions to this military strategy.
Egypt Responds to Sinai Attacks by Evacuating Rafah for Israeli Inspired Buffer Zone
Mend al-Mariwany writes on Israel’s tacit approval of establishing a buffer zone that stretches through Gaza-Egypt borders.
Human Rights and Rule of Law
Factbox: Everything You Need to Know About Egypt`s UPR
EgyptSource recaps different states’ reviews of Egypt’s human rights record during the periodic session at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Egypt Proved its Human Rights Record Positive During United Nations Review: Minister
Ahram Online reports.
Appeal Verdict for Ettehadiya Defendants to be Announced 28 December
A verdict on the appeal of the twenty-three defendants charged with violating the protest law will be announced on 28 December, Mada Masr reports.
Scaring them Straight in the Name of Morality
Pesha Magid argues: “Renewed crackdown on LGBT Egyptians is part of a conservative push by the state.”
Joint Letter to President Obama on Egypt`s Crackdown on Civil Society
Human Rights Watch releases a joint letter addressed to President Barak Obama on Egypt’s repression of civil society.
Egypt’s Defense of Human Rights Record ‘Cynical’
Amnesty International releases a statement on Egypt’s human rights record following Egypt’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United National Human Rights Council Session in Geneva.
Egypt Receives 300 Human Rights Recommendations in Geneva
Ahram Online reports, “The recommendations to Egypt centered on controversial laws, one regulating NGOs and another putting restrictions on protesting.”
Egypt Defends Human Rights Record amid Criticism at United Nations Review
Mada Masr and Sarah Khorshid report on the criticisms addressed to Egypt regarding its human rights record.
Seven Egyptian Rights Groups Back Out of UNHRC Summit Over Fears of Persecution
Ahram Online reports, “The rights groups say they won`t be traveling to Geneva in light of `an environment hostile to the work of NGOs` in Egypt.”
Harsh Questions for Egypt Amid United Nations Rights Review
H.A. Hellyer analyzes the internal political dynamics within the United Nations Human Rights Council’s periodic review of the human rights record of each member state.
Press and Media Freedoms
Cabinet Plans to Face “Foreign Private Channels” which Harm “Egypt’s Reputation”
Aswat Masriya reports on the cabinet’s plans to confront “foreign private channels”.
Egypt: Press Freedom at a Crossroads
Sharif Mansour writes on journalists’ opposition to state enforced laws on Egypt’s press.
Cabinet to Review Bill Tightening Restrictions on Army-Related News
Mada Masr reports.
Journalists Standing in Solidarity with Our Brave Egyptian Colleagues
Hundreds of journalists show their support for their colleagues imprisoned in Egypt by releasing and signing a statement of solidarity.
Journalists Launch Front to Defend Media Freedoms
Mada Masr reports. This article is translated and published in Arabic.
Economy
Al-Sisi to Meet with Largest US Business Delegation Since 2011 Revolution
Ahram Online reports, “Three-day visit will include sixty-six large American companies in energy, telecommunications, food, pharmaceuticals, banking, infrastructure and other sectors.”
How State Failure Is Deepening Class Tensions in Egypt
Sarah Khorshid offers a comprehensive analysis of the underlying causes of the diminishing socioeconomic status of Egypt’s middle class.
University Protests
Campus Oppression Portends Grim Future for Egypt’s Youth
Mai Shams al-Din writes on student expulsions from universities for wrongful accusations of participation in university protests.
Reports and Opinions
Why I Still Believe in the Arab Spring
Foreign Policy transcribed Iyad al-Baghdadi’s speech at the Oslo Freedom Forum in which he touches on the rise of the counterrevolutionary axis following the Arab uprisings 2011. Click here to watch his speech.
Sexual Harassment and the Medina
Mette Høyer Eriksen argues, “In Egypt, sexual harassment is a largely urban phenomenon fuelled by a sense of male powerlessness, insecurity and unrealistic gender ideals.”
Henry Barakat, the Magic Filmmaker
Ayman Makram writes on the impact made by Egyptian filmmaker Henry Barakat on Egyptian cinema. Barakat will be honored in this year’s Cairo Film Festival.
An Interview with Mohamed Elshahed
The Middle East Research and Information Project interviews Cairobserver blogger Mohamed al-Shahed.
Mubarak-Era Minister, Foreign Funding Crusader Breaks into Security Sector
Fayza Abul Naga is appointed al-Sisi’s national security advisor, Mada Masr reports.
A New Authoritarian Regime in Egypt? Controlling Power and Eliminating Dissent
Dina al-Khawaga reflects on al-Sisi’s political maneuverings to consolidate power in Egypt.
Egypt`s Beer Industry Toasts Long History
Omar Foda writes on the beer industry’s success in Egypt.
In Arabic
وزير المياه والطاقة الإثيوبيّ: نسعى إلى تصدير الكهرباء إلى إفريقيا والشرق الأوسط
Ayah Aman interviews Ethiopian Minister for Water and Energy Alemayehu Tenegu who discusses the ongoing three-party negotiations on the Renaissance Dam. This piece is translated and published in English.
بل إن مصر ليست تونس
Amr Adly argues that structural economic and social issues have affected Egypt’s political transition process following the January 25 Revolution.
دعوة لمراجعة مسلَّمات مشكلة سيناء
Fahmy Huwaidy calls for a review of the deep-seated issues residents of Northern Sinai have faced for decades, and questions the benefits of the authorities’ forced evacuations to establish a buffer zone.
الشرطة تنفي كون «1984» سبب القبض على طالب جامعة القاهرة.. وحقوقي: سيتم استخدامها ضده
Mada Masr reports on the controversy surrounding the arrest of an Egypyian law student for possessing a copy of George Orwell’s novel "1984." This report is published in English.
خطط إعادة تقسيم المحافظات تثير القلق في البحر الأحمر
Heba Afify writes on plans to redraw the boundaries of Egypt’s governorates prior to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
جنيات المينا تحكم بالمؤبد على ثلاثة من الإخوان بتهمة التحريض على مقاطعة دستور 2014
Criminal court sentences three Muslim Brotherhood supporters to life for inciting the 2014 constitutional referendum boycotts.
التحفظ على منزل قبطى بالمنيا بعد تحويله لكنيسة دون تصريح
Hassam Abd al-Ghaffar reports on Muslims gathering in front of a Coptic citizen’s home to protest his use of the house as a church.
المعونة الأمريكية "المجمدة" تعود إلى مصر
Mada Masr reports on USAID’s revival of economic development aid following a three-year halt.
هموم المجتمع المدنى
Amr Hamzawy reflects on the struggles that civil society faces in Egypt.
القبضة الأمنيّة وتهمة "إرهابيّ"... تدفع قطاعات واسعة من الشباب المصريّ للإيمان بتنظيم...
Ayah Aman argues that state oppression has pushed Egypt’s youth to follow the ideology of the Islamic State organization. This article is translated and published in English.
مستشارة الأمن القومي ... تساؤلات ضرورية
Abdullah al-Sinawy writes on the role that national security advisors play in decision making and reflects on the reasons behind the appointment of Fayza Abul Naga as al-Sisi’s national security advisor.
مصر واختبار حقوق الإنسان في جنيف
Mostafa Mehie writes on rights groups’ reports on Egypt’s human rights record prior to the United Nations Human Right Council’s session on Egypt held on Wednesday. This article is translated and published in English.
سياسة "الجزيرة" وإساءة الإعلام المصريّ للشيخة موزة يعرقلان وساطات التّصالح المصريّ...
Walaa Hussain argues, “As Qatari and Egyptian media outlets engage in a bitter tug-of-war, diplomatic efforts continue at senior levels to tone down the rhetoric.” This article is translated and published in English.
حكم العسكر» والتحول الديمقراطي: 3 تجارب لإصلاح المؤسسات العسكرية
Ahmed al-Khatib writes on the diminishing economic and political status of military institutions in Spain, Indonesia, and Burma, as these three states went through political transitions, and are relevant to the developments following the January 25 Revolution.
ديمقراطية اﻹكليروس - رؤية حقوقية للائحة انتخاب بابا اﻹسكندرية وبطريرك الكرازة المرقسية
Isaac Ibrahim releases a study on the legality of the clergy system in the Coptic Church in Egypt.
«سويقة اللالا».. من المُتحكّمين إلى المقهورين
Nermin Khafagi writes on a historical site called “Suwaika al-La La.”
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
Hadtha Jam
Medrar TV reports on “an improvisational music project by Hashem L Kelesh (Dijit), Aly Talibab, Mohamed Adel and Abdallah Miniawy.”
لغز وادي الهول
Zakaria Mohammed writes on the discovery of Sinaiticus in al-Houl Valley in Egypt.
Interruption
Medrar TV reports on “Interruption” a bi-annual exhibition held by current art students and recent graduates.