[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
Cairo`s British Embassy Services Office Closes for `Security Reasons`
Ahram Online reports.
Egypt Launches Campaign for UN Security Council Seat
Ayah Aman writes, “The Egyptian government has begun a diplomatic offensive to secure votes to win it the North African seat at the UN Security Council for 2016-17.” Click here to read the article in Arabic.
Interpol Seeks Arrest of Controversial Egyptian Cleric Qaradawi
Ayat al-Tawy writes, “A staunch opponent of the 2013 ouster of Mohamed Morsi, Youssef Qaradawi is sought by Egyptian authorities on a variety of charges, including incitement to murder, vandalism and theft.”
Hamas Leader Calls for Committee on Egypt Relations
Ahram Online reports: “Egyptian relations with Hamas have been strained since the 2013 ouster of Islamist former president Mohamed Morsi, with the group accused of fuelling a militant insurgency in Sinai.”
Bahraini King Congratulates Mubarak on Favorable Court Verdict
Hours after an Egyptian court threw out charges against Hosni Mubarak, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa phoned to congratulate him on the verdict.
Security
The Battle for Egypt’s Sinai
Allison McManus analyzes the security developments in Sinai following Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis’ declaration of allegiance to the Islamic State, and offers recommendations on combating this serious security threat.
Confrontation Escalates Between Brotherhood and Egypt’s Security
Khaled Dawoud writes on the state’s crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood since Morsi’s removal on 3 July 2013.
Sinai Campaign a Boon to the Islamic State
Mostafa Hashem writes on the ramifications of state violence in Sinai, arguing that this leads to the rise of radical Islamists as a reaction. This article is translated and published in Arabic.
Economy
Foreign Reserves Decline to $15.882 Billion
Mada Masr reports.
While Renewables Stall, Coal Powers Ahead
Isabel Esterman sheds light on the slow process of establishing renewable energy projects compared to coal plants.
Human Rights and Rule of Law
The Difference between Them and Us: On the Predominance of the Executive Authority
Amr Hamzawy offers a comparative analysis of the limitations of executive powers under democratic systems and authoritarian regimes.
The Executive Summary Of The Fact-Finding Commission`s Report: Falls Short Of Expectations
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights offers recommendations on the findings of the Rab‘a fact-finding committee. Click here to read this piece in Arabic.
Al-Sisi: Insulting Revolutions to be Criminalized
The presidency is drawing up a law to criminalize insulters of the January 25 Revolution and the 30 June 2013 uprising.
Four Preliminarily Sentenced to Death in Brotherhood Leaders’ Trial Over Inciting Violence
The four Brotherhood leaders, Mohamed al-Beshlawi, Mostafa Fahmy, Atef Abdel Gelil, and Abdel Rehim Mohamed have had their cases referred to the Egyptian Grand Mufti. Meanwhile, the Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie’s trial was postponed to 28 February 2015.
Egypt Government Denies Fabricating Evidence in Mohamed Morsi Trial
Patrick Kingsley writes, “Unverified leaked recordings appeared to show senior officials colluding before trial of ousted president.”
Power of Arrest: Who Has It, What Can They Do With It?
This piece examines the role of the authorities in arresting individuals in Egypt.
Seven Sentenced to Death for 2013 Rafah Massacre
Mada Masr reports.
Morsi`s Lawyers Call on UN to Investigate Sisi Leak
Middle East Eye writes, “Recordings appear to show top Egyptian officials warning that the case against deposed President Morsi could collapse due to blunders.”
Migrants Suffer Trying to Leave Egypt
Tom Rollins sheds light on the mistreatment of Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Egypt.
Racism, Violence, Exploitation Afflict Life of Sudanese Refugees in Cairo
Kenneth Changpertitum sheds light on the condition of Sudanese refugees in Egypt.
Leftist Activist Arrested for `Insulting Public Figures`
Ahram Online reports, “Mohamed Hamed is charged with posting insults of public figures to Facebook.”
Why Everyone Walked Free in the Mubarak Trial
Mada Masr lists the Mubarak trial judge Mahmoud al-Rashidy’s key arguments on his decision to throw out charges against Mubarak and six of his top aides.
Press and Media Freedoms
Can Free Speech Survive in the Arab World?
Rana Sabbagh writes on the restrictions on free speech in the Arab world following the Arab uprisings in 2011, in return for promises of security, stability, and economic developments.
Reports and Opinions
Let it Leak: Phone Calls Leaks Season Two in #Egypt
Zeinobia details the content of leaked recordings of top officers working on fabricating documents in order to legalize Morsi’s detention.
Islamism’s Rise in Egypt Wasn’t Just Because of the 1967 War
William Barns debunks the conventional analysis of the rise of Islamists in Egypt since the 1967 War.
The Salafist Front withdraws from the National Alliance to Support Legitimacy
Ahram Online reports.
Protests against Mubarak Acquittal Fail to Reach Tahrir
Mada Masr reports.
The Battle of Egyptian Football Fans Against Dullness
Dalia Abdelhamid writes on the fate of organized football fan movements (Ultras) following the January 25 Revolution.
Out of Radwa Ashour’s Paradise!
Mona Elnamoury commemorates the late novelist Radwa Ashour.
A Mediterranean Encounter in the Heart of Cairo
Marta Agosti interviews Greek activist Christos Giovanopoulos who discusses “the birth of new movements, the potential for a new kind of transnationalism geared towards acts of contemporary decolonization.”
The Struggle for Education
Mai Shams El-Din sheds light on the hardships students with special needs face in the educational system in Egypt.
A Tribute to Ali Shaath
Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy commemorates Ali Shaath.
Martyrs of the Revolution (Photo Essay by Denis Dailleux)
Following Mubarak’s acquittal, Denis Dailleux commemorates the fallen victims of the January 25 Revolution and offers a glimpse of the loss and grief of their families.
Arabic
المبادرة المصرية: الإسكان الاجتماعي بين سياسات الماضي وفرص المستقبل
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights releases a study entitled: “Housing Policy in Egypt between the Continuation of the Past’s Policies, and Drafting Just Policies for the Future.” Click here to read a summary of the study in English.
تسريبات مكتب السيسي.. فضيحة مدوية للجيش والشرطة والقضاء في مصر
Alaa El-Din al-Sayyed writes on the public’s reactions to the leaked recordings of top officials in al-Sisi’s government. The article includes the six-part leaked recordings.
النيابة تبدأ تحقيقا في وقائع بث "أخبار كاذبة" منسوبة "زوراً" لقيادات بالدولة للكشف عن صانعيها
General Prosecutor to investigate the source of “falsified” leaked recordings of top military officials. The recordings present evidence of the government’s fabrication of documents in order to keep ousted President Mohamed Morsi in prison. Click here to read a report on the prosecutor’s accusation of the Muslim Brotherhood for fabricating the recordings in English.
العبوات والتّفخيخ وتفجير الغاز... استراتيجيّة "الدولة الإسلاميّة" للانتشار في مصر
Al-Monitor correspondent in Sinai argues that following Ansar Bait Al-Maqdis’ allegiance to the Islamic State, the group is expanding its strategy to carry out plots in cities outside Sinai. Click here to read the article in English.
مظاهرات فيرجسون تفتح الباب لأزمة جديدة في العلاقات المصرية الأمريكية
Walaa Hussein writes, “Egyptian authorities are calling for an investigation into the US’ alleged violation of the right to peaceful protest, in which US police forces used excessive force against demonstrators in the city of Ferguson, Mo.” Click here to read the article in English.
قراءة في أخطر كتاب عن أوضاع جهاز الشرطة في العهد البائد العائد (1 من 2):
Bilal Fadl writes on the establishment of a police network headed by former Minister of Interior Habib al-Adly who was acquitted along with Mubarak on 29 November 2014.
حين يؤسس النظام لإرهاب جديد
Nariman Naji writes on the state’s oppression of university student movements and discrimination against the Muslim Brotherhood under the rhetoric of the “war on terror.”
مشاهد من حياة عُمَّالية
Fatima Ramadan writes on labor movements and the state’s divisive tactics and battles against independent labor syndicates.
ترويض الفشل: 1- الرحلات المبكرة للتقشف وصولًا إلى مصر
Mohammed Sultan analyzes the impact of austerity measures on the Egyptian economy by offering several comparative analyses of European countries’ austerity measures and their economic impact.
رحلة النساء من واقع العنف إلى شاشات الحلم
Tariq Mostafa writes on the characterizations of women in Egyptian cinema.
عن الخطاب النسوي والتورط العاطفي تجاه قضية العنف الجنسي السياسي
Mozn Hassan writes on the politicization of sexual assault and violence against women in Egypt.
انتصاراتنا الصغيرة
Shadi Zalat reflects on the status of revolutionaries almost four years after the January 25 Revolution.
حسام عيسى لـ"الشروق": مبارك ونظامه يسيطرون على الحكومة.. وبراءتهم تمهد عودة حزبهم المنحل
Al-Shourouk interviews former Minister of Education Hossam Eissa, who comments on Mubarak’s acquittal and argues that it will help revive the Mubarak regime’s political party—the National Democratic Party.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
The Road to the Mubarak Trial Ruling: An Interview with Jadaliyya Co-Editor Hesham Sallam
Jadaliyya Interview Page releases Hesham Sallam’s interview with WPFW’s Zein El Amine and Nada Eryan, who analyzes the circumstances surrounding Mubarak and his top security aides’ acquittal.
Farewell Sabah, 1927-2014
Maya Mikdashi commemorates Lebanese singer/actress Sabah.
New Texts Out Now: Nimer Sultany, Religion and Constitutionalism: Lessons from American and Islamic Constitutionalism
Jadaliyya interviews Nimer Sultany on his recently published article “Religion and Constitutionalism: Lessons from American and Islamic Constitutionalism.”
Still Singing for the Egyptian Revolution: A Conversation with Ramy Essam (3 December, George Mason University)
Jadaliyya’s Reports Page announces George Mason University’s Middle East Studies Program’s event titled: “Still Singing for the Egyptian Revolution: A Conversation with Ramy Essam”.
October Culture
Jadaliyya’s Culture Editors release October’s culture bouquet.