[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
President`s Office Clarifies Sisi Comment on Sending Troops to Palestinian State
Ahram Online reports.
Egypt Could Send Forces to Stabilize Future Palestinian State: Al-Sisi
In an interview with an Italian paper during al-Sisi’s first visit to Rome, the Egyptian president hinted that Egypt could send troops to help local police following the recognition of a Palestinian State. Click here to read the report in Arabic.
Egypt, China Set to Launch Strategic Partnership
Daily News Egypt reports that President al-Sisi is set to visit China in December to learn from China’s economic development and discuss possible ways to establish economic and counterterrorism cooperation between the two nations.
Egypt`s FM Discusses Peace Efforts with Tony Blair
Talks focused on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
What’s Happening with US Military Aid to Egypt, Part II: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Foreign Military Financing for Egypt
Amy Hawthorne releases a paper detailing released and frozen United States military aid to Egypt following Mohamed Morsi’s ouster in July 2013.
Congress Weighs Easing Restrictions on Military Aid to Egypt
Julian Pecquet writes, “Lawmakers are debating whether to give the Obama administration the power to sidestep legal obstacles to the 1.3 billion dollar annual aid package.”
Egypt Waiting on Results of Gulf`s Truce with Qatar, Says al-Sisi
Ahram Online reports, “Egypt won`t make any reconciliation efforts of its own until it sees how recent agreement with Gulf States turns out.”
Saudi King Invites Egypt to Join Reconciliation with Qatar
Daily News Egypt reports.
Gulf States’ Reconciliation with Qatar Hinges on Ending Political Meddling
Al-Akhbar reports on Gulf States’ reconciliation and sheds light on the ramifications of Qatar’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood.
Why Should Qatar Reconcile with Egypt?
Sultan al-Qassemi argues, “To improve ties with its Gulf neighbors, Qatar should re-evaluate its ties with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and restore its relations with the current Egyptian government.”
Security
Egypt`s Army Says it Killed Ten Militants in Sinai
Ahram Online reports.
Ajnad Misr Assumes Responsibility for Helwan Bombing
This operation forms “part of their campaign ‘Retribution is Life’,” says Ajnad Misr.
The Egypt-Gaza Buffer Zone: More Harm than Good for Sinai Security
Zack Gold analyzes the ramifications of the Egyptian military’s enforced buffer zone in Sinai.
Saving Sinai
Ziad Akl writes, “Presidents come and go, but one fact remains: the state’s inability to deal effectively with Sinai.”
Deadly Clashes in Rafah between Militants and Armed Forces
Menna Zaki reports, “‘Terrorist elements’ killed in exchange of fire, number of injuries and deaths unavailable, says military spokesman.”
Faiza Abou el-Naga’s Appointment the Right Choice for Egypt
Former Head of News for Egyptian state television, Abdellatif al-Menawy, reflects on the appointment of Fayza Abou el-Naga as al-Sisi’s national security advisor.
Human Rights and Rule of Law
Rights Groups Call for Transparent and Serious Dialogue with the Government
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies releases rights groups’ statement calling on the Ministry of Social Solidarity to assure transparency in laws relating to civil society groups in Egypt. Click here to read the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights statement in Arabic.
It’s Time the Egyptian Government Made Peace with Human Rights
Amani Massoud argues that making amends with Egypt’s civil society will help Egypt address substantial human rights issues.
Civil Society’s Fundamental Role in Egypt
Amr Hamzawy argues, “Executive authorities in countries around the world clamp down on civil society organizations when they wish to delude citizens about what is really going on in society.”
Between Prisons
Lina Attalah interviews Alaa Abdel Fattah hours before his re-imprisonment.
A Deathly Waltz
Jasmine Bose commemorates the fallen victims of the November 2011 Mohamed Mahmoud Street massacre.
Gender and Sexuality
Head of National Council for Women: Female Prisoners are Better Off Behind Bars
Mada Masr reports.
Egypt’s First Female Genital Mutilation Trial Ends in Not Guilty Verdict
Patrick Kingsley writes, “Dr. Raslan Fadl and the father of the girl who died during the procedure have been acquitted, dashing hopes for a nationwide crackdown.”
UN Denounces Acquittal in Female Genital Mutilation Case
Mada Masr reports.
Egypt Making Slow Progress on Genital Mutilation
Merrit Kennedy writes on the pre-trial session against Dr. Raslan Fadl, charged with female genital mutilation.
Fighting Female Genital Mutilation
Mona al-Tahawy argues that eradicating female genital mutilation in Egypt requires social and religious awareness in addition to enforcing strict laws.
Press and Media Freedoms
Egypt’s Sisi Considering Pardon for Al Jazeera Journalists
Click on parts one and two to watch France 24’s analysis of the channel’s interview with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Media Restrictions, Other Free Speech Issues Remain in Egypt
Mohamed Elshinnawi writes on media restrictions under the current military-backed regime.
Amal Clooney Presses Canadian Officials on Behalf of Jailed Canadian Journalist
CBC Radio reports.
I Was Arrested For Chatting In a Cairo Café
French journalist Alain Gresh describes his detention in Egypt`s capital and reflects on the state of rights and freedoms in the country.
Economy
The Future of Big Business in the New Egypt
Amr Adly analyzes the role of private businesses under the current military-backed regime in reviving the private sector through foreign aid and investment. This paper is translated and published in Arabic.
University Protests
Police Surround Alexandria University as Students Threaten to Strike
Adham Youssef reports on the partial strike planned in protest at the expulsion of twelve students.
The Campus Security Dilemma
Passant Rabie writes, “Falcon’s experience in public universities raises a debate on the potential of private security firms.”
Pro-Morsi Student Dies Inside Cairo Police Station
Al-Ahram reports on the death of a law student at Ain Shams University, where he was arrested twelve days earlier: “initial forensics show no sign of torture, says forensic spokesperson.”
Reports and Opinions
Egyptian Iron Workers Suspend All Production
Hend al-Behary reports, “workers at the Egyptian and Iron Steel Company (EISCO) went on a total strike demanding fifteen-months worth of annual profit shares.”
Dozens Arrested on Mohamed Mahmoud Anniversary
Aya Nader writes, “Undercover agents wearing Guy Fawkes masks infiltrated protests and then suddenly began to arrest people, say eyewitnesses.”
Muslim Brotherhood Statement Calls For Unity, Acknowledges Mistakes
The Muslim Brotherhood releases a statement on the third anniversary of the Mohamed Mahmoud massacre.
Security Forces Disperse Anti-Coup Protest
Daily News Egypt reports, “Anti-Coup Alliance announces it will continue peaceful protests and names this week ‘our strength is in our unity’.”
Brotherhood Backs Salafist Protests on Friday for Egypt`s `Islamic Identity`
Ahram Online reports.
Calls to Carry the Quran in Salafi Front Protests ‘Invitation for Strife’: Al-Azhar
Daily News Egypt reports on Al-Azhar’s statement on Salafi Front protests set for 28 November.
Stay Home or Return to Libya? Egyptian Workers Face Grim Choice
Ayat Al-Tawy writes, “Conditions at home are continuing to drive Egyptians abroad, even to strife-torn Libya.”
Unwelcome Guests: Egypt`s Failed Experiment in Refugee Detention
Tom Rollins, Ahmed Aly Hassan, and Deyaa Adel report on the conditions refugees face in Egypt.
Traffickers Turn to Teenagers to Drive Migrant Boats Across Mediterranean
Luca Muzi writes, “People smugglers in Egypt and Libya are escaping justice by using children to ferry migrants to Europe, leaving the youngsters to face jail and huge fines.”
Egyptian Student Deaths Stir Parents` Fears
Mohammed Ghamrawy writes on negligence and lack of maintenance of public school facilities in Egypt.
How Egypt’s Public Schools Became Isolated
Farida Makar calls for the increased inclusion of public schools in the social sphere.
Arabic
حل جزئي ﻷزمة الباعة الجائلين بمحطة مصر باﻹسكندرية
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights welcomes Alexandria governorate’s cooperation in solving the street vendor crisis in Masr Station. This statement is translated and published in English.
مصر وقطر.. والنظر إلى الأمام
Emad El-Din Hussain praises reconciliation efforts between Egypt and Qatar.
مخاوف في مصر من "تأميم الإعلام
Mustafa Hashim Youssef writes, “A number of Egyptian editors issued a statement in which they pledged not to criticize the state`s institutions, which some consider a nationalization of the media in Egypt by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.” This article is translated and published in English.
28نوفمبر.. حمل السلاح أم الأكفان؟
Najih Ibrahim reflects on the Salafists’ calls for protests on 28 November.
الأخلاق.. سلاح الدولة في مواجهة المثليين
Pesha Magid argues that the state is exploiting morality discourses against homosexuals in Egypt.
مبايعة الدولة الاسلامية في سيناء يزيد المخاطر على مصر
Al-Monitor’s correspondent in Sinai reports that Ansar Bait al-Maqdis’ allegiance to the Islamic State poses danger to Egypt’s security. This article is translated and published in English.
مبايعة "أنصار بيت المقدس" تنظيم "داعش" وتداعياتها على الأمن القوميّ المصريّ
Rami Galal analyzes the ramifications of Ansar Bait al-Maqdis’ announced allegiance to the Islamic State for Egypt’s national security. This article is translated and published in English.
هل يكون الصوفيّون بديلاً معتدلاً للإخوان والسلفيّين في البرلمان؟
Ahmed Fouad writes, “Sufis have vowed to make an impact during Egypt’s next elections, in an attempt to push back against the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafists.” This article is translated and published in English.
الأنبا مرقص لـ"الشروق": البابا محتار.. إذا سافر هاجموه وإذا امتنع انتقدوه
Al-Shorouk interviews Saint Marcos who reflects on the two-year papacy of Pope Tawadros II. Click here to read the results of an Al-Shorouk poll on Egyptian Copts’ opinion of Pope Tawadros II.
قطر تتعهد خطياً بتعديل سياساتها خلال شهر
Qatar pledges in writing to Saudi Arabia that it will modify its policies toward Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood.
الداخلية: السجون خالية من المعتقلين.. وكل المحتجزين بإذن من النيابة
Nour Rashwan reports on the Interior Ministry’s statement denying that the authorities have political prisoners in detention facilities.
البرعي: 9 أحزاب وافقت على تأجيل الانتخابات.. وتسليم مذكرة للرئاسة
Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity says nine political parties have agreed to postpone parliamentary elections.
أسوأ 10 أحداث قتل بها مصريون منذ 25 يناير2011
Hassan Adel lists the top ten worst massacres committed since the January 25 Revolution.
هي فتنة فلا تكفر
Tamer Abu Arab recalls the events that led to the Mohammed Mahmoud Street massacre.
الحرب على الحرية
Amr Hamzawy argues that Egypt is at a crossroads: either it continues the war on freedom or it establishes a state that respects the rule of law, social equality, and justice.
أساطير اقتصادية: اقتصاد مصر الريعى
Amr Adly debunks normative conceptions on Egypt’s rentierism.
لماذا هذه الدول العربية هي الأكثر هشاشة في 2014؟(2)
In a three-part article, Mohammed Atiya reports on the 2014 Fragile States Index. Click here to read parts one and three.