[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 and France Sign Rafale Jet Fighters Deal
In a nationally televized ceremony, Egypt and France finalized a deal in which Cairo purchased twenty-four French Rafale jets.
Egyptian President Calls for Unified Arab Force to Combat Islamists
“Al-Sisi addresses the nation a week after Egyptian warplanes struck ISIS positions in Libya; `Need for unified Arab force growing,` he says.”
Egypt will Respect International Non-Proliferation Nuclear Agreements: Sisi
Ahram Online reports.
GCC Secretary-General Denies Criticizing Egypt, Blames Media
“Gulf Cooperation Council head stresses Gulf states support Egypt`s fight against `terrorist groups` in Libya,” Ahram Online reports.
Analysis: Egypt Sees the Dawn of the New Colors of Saudi Foreign Policy?
Dina Ezzat analyzes Egyptian-Saudi relations in light of the Saudi government re-shuffle following King Abdullah’s passing.
Egyptians in Libya: A Timeline
Pesha Magid tracks Egyptians’ migration to Libya since 1971 to present day, and how it has evolved throughout the last four decades.
In Pursuit of Bread: Why Egyptian Workers are Willing to Risk their Lives in Libya
Nadia Ahmed sheds light on the reasons that push Egyptians workers to seek work in Libya.
Egyptian Airstrikes Kill Sixty-Four IS Militants in Libya: Libyan Army Spokesperson
Ahram Online reports.
Washington Says it Respects Egypt`s Decision to Defend Itself after Beheading of Copts in Libya
`We certainly respect the right of countries to make their own decisions about their own self-defense and defense of their own country`, says State Department spokesperson, as Ahram Online reports.
U.S. Won’t Back Egypt’s Attacks on ISIS
Nancy Yousef analyzes the United States’ stance on Egypt’s airstrikes on the Libyan city of Derna.
Economy
The Rise of Solar Energy in Egypt
Louise Sarant writes on the status of solar and renewable energy in Egypt.
Half of Projects in Egypt Investment Summit in Energy
Half of the proposed projects tabled at the March economic summit are to be aimed at the energy sector.
What’s the Deal with the Russia-Egypt Currency Deal?
Isabel Esterman examines the Russian-Egyptian deal.
Egypt Lines Up 6.8 Billion Dollars of Kuwaiti Investment for Energy Projects
The Daily Star reports.
Minister: Hosting March Economic Summit Costs Fifteen Million Dollars Maximum
Egypt’s March Economic Development Conference is to cost fifteen million dollars.
Egypt Offers Eight Offshore Oil, Gas Fields to Investors
Petroleum Ministry announces that “state-owned gas company to EGAS will hold auction for eight oil and gas exploration blocks in the Mediterranean.”
Human Rights and Legal Institutions
Defendants sentenced to 3–5 years in prison in Shura Council case
In a much anticipated session on 23 February, the Cairo Criminal Court sentenced activist Alaa Abdel Fattah and his co-defendant Ahmed Abdel Rahman to five years in prison in the “Shura Council” case. The remaining 19 defendants being retried received three years in prison.
Court Postpones Decision on Designating Hamas as Terrorists
The Urgent Matters Court postpones a verdict on designating Hamas a terrorist organization.
Deposed Egyptian President Mursi Not Sent to Military Trial - Prosecutor
Egypt’s prosecutor has denied that former president Mohamed Morsi was referred to a military trial.
Out on Bail, Al Jazeera Journalist Mohamed Fahmy from Cairo
An interview with recently released Al Jazeera journalist Mohamed Fahmy.
Al Jazeera Journalist Baher Mohammed Hopes To Be Exonerated In Egypt Retrial
An interview with recently released Al Jazeera journalist Baher Mohamed.
Court Acquits Mubarak Petroleum Minister, Five Officials in Israeli Gas Export Deal
The Cairo Criminal Court overturned the prison sentence of former Petroleum Minister Sameh Fahmy and five other petroleum officials.
Egyptian Student Given Prison Sentence for Atheist Facebook Posts
Emir Nader writes, “Suez Canal University President personally filed legal case against student Sherif Gaber, who claims he was tortured in custody.”
Parliamentary Elections
Who is Participating in Egypt`s Parliamentary Elections?
Nancy Messieh and Ali Mohamed offer an overview of participants and boycotters of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Meet the NDP-Era Businessmen Running for Parliament
Egypt Independent compiles profiles of former members of the National Democratic Party who intend to run for the parliamentary elections.
Strong Egypt: A Party in the Middle
Jayson Casper analyzes the Strong Egypt Party’s political stance since the January 25 Revolution.
Steel Tycoon Ezz Disqualified from Elections, Wife Will Run
National Democratic Party figure and steel tycoon Ahmed Ezz is disqualified from running in the upcoming parliamentary elections for failing to provide necessary documents, including financial disclosures for his wife, Shahinaz al-Naggar.
Reports and Opinions
Liberalism Without Democracy: The Case of Egypt
Maged Mandour writes, “The weakness of the urban middle class and their sense of isolation has become a bastion for the support for autocracy. Fear of a social revolution has been the main driver in the alliance between the military and the urban middle class.”
The Debate over Gamal Mubarak
Sonia Farid reflects on the release of Gamal Mubarak.
Is Europe Closing Door to Refugees?
Tom Rollin writes, “With smuggling tragedies increasing in the Mediterranean, Europe is looking for ways to stem the tide of human smuggling from North Africa.”
Once Upon a Revolution
Patrick Cockburn reviews a novel written by Thanassis Cambanis.
Education Ministry: New Curriculum Will Help Combat Terrorism
Egypt’s Education Ministry announces major changes in the national curriculum for religious subjects.
In Minya, More Sorrow and Less Anger
Hiba Afify writes on the families of the twenty-one Egyptian Copts beheaded by the Islamic State in Libya.
Lessons from Sinai
Steffen Schmiko writes, “Sinai has made headlines time and again after a series of attacks against Egyptian state security forces. A closer look at Sinai militancy offers a valuable insight into contemporary jihadist violence in the Middle East.”
Arabic
نحو منظومة عربية للتعاون وللأمن
Amr Hamzawy calls for the establishment of a framework for Arab security cooperation to face off threats to the region.
داعش في مصر؟
Fahmy Huwaidy refutes the notion that ISIS has an original social base in Egypt.
ماذا يحدث في الشرق الأوسط؟
Ahmed Abd Rabbo analyzes the geopolitical triggers in the region following the Arab uprisings in 2011.
السجن المشدد خمس سنوات لعلاء عبدالفتاح وأحمد عبدالرحمن وثلاث سنوات لآخرين في قضية "أحداث الشورى"
Twenty-one activists, including Alaa Abdel Fattah and Ahmed Abdel Rahman, have received sentences ranging from five to three years in prison.
السيسي: إطلاق سراح محتجزين ومحاسبة المسؤول عن مقتل "الصباغ" ومشروع قومي لرعاية الشباب
Al-Sisi has said in a televised speech that wrongfully imprisoned detainees will be released soon and that Shaima al-Sabbagh’s killer will be brought to justice.
التمركزات الحاكمة: حدود تأثير القبلية على شكل برلمان مصر القادم
Reham Mokbel writes, “The 2011 revolution has changed tribes’ relationship to the traditional political parties, leading some of them to vote for the Muslim Brotherhood and to nominate their own candidates.” This article is also published in English.
جهود طالبيّة لمكافحة ظاهرة التحرّش في الجامعات المصريّة
Ahmed Fouad writes, “The administration and activist students at Cairo University are making progress against harassment and have started campaigns to encourage victims to speak up and to identify offenders.” This article is also published in English.
القاهرة تتوسّط لاتّفاق عسكريّ بإمداد الجيش الليبيّ بالسلاح الروسيّ
Ayah Aman writes, “Egypt is mediating efforts to supply the Libyan army with Russian weapons to fight the Islamic State, a move that might lead to an end to UN Resolution 1973, which bans the provision of arms to Libya.” This article is published in English.
مجلس الوزراء يوافق على صرف 100 ألف جنيه تعويض لأسرة كل ضحية بأحداث الدفاع الجوي
The government is to pay a hundred thousand Egyptian pounds to the families of the victims killed outside the Air Defense Stadium.
«تسريبات مكتب السيسي 6»: مصر اتصلت برموزٍ لنظام «القذافي» لمنع التمديد للمؤتمر الوطني في ليبيا
Alaa al-Din al-Sayyed writes on the sixth leaked recordings of a telephone conversation between President al-Sisi and Major-General Abbas Kamel about limiting the powers of the General National Congress in Libya.
الدواء القاتل
Rami Galal writes, “Counterfeit medications have become a common problem in Egypt, which has no central drug commission or strong laws penalizing their production and sale.” This article is also published in English.
Articles on Jadaliyya Egypt
A Compound in Common: The Case of “Little Duweiqa,” Haram City
Nicholas Simcik Arese analyzes two intertwined formal and informal areas in Cairo in relation to the housing situation in the city and the government’s strong clampdown on informal housing.
Quick Thoughts: Paul Sedra on the IS Massacre of Egyptian Copts in Libya
Paul Sedra contextualizes IS’s beheading of twenty-one Egyptian Copts in Libya.
Khaled Galal Eldeen: A Rolling Stone Gather No Moss
Medrar TV reports on Khaled Galal Eldeen’s first solo show.
Cairo Downtown Passages Redesign
Medrar TV reports on the Cairo Laboratory for Urban Studies and Environmental Research’s project exploring Cairo’s downtown passages.