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MENASource

Apr 3, 2013

Egypt’s Top Prosecutor: From the Court of Appeals to a Media Circus

By Nancy Messieh

Despite a court ruling on March 27, reinstating former prosecutor general Abdel Meguid Mahmoud after his dismissal by President Mohamed Morsi, the struggle between Mahmoud and his successor Talaat Abdallah continues. It is the latest in many collisions between the presidency and the judiciary, with many a politicized verdict preceding it.

MENASource

Apr 2, 2013

Top News: US Blasts Arrest Warrant Against Egypt Satirist Bassem Youssef

By Egypt Source

The US State Department says arrest warrants and the investigation of a popular Egyptian satirist and other critics of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi highlight a "disturbing trend" of growing restrictions on freedom of expression in Egypt.

MENASource

Apr 2, 2013

Fingers, Foreign Elements, and the Former Regime

By Basil El Dabh

“There is no room for confrontations or mistrust.” This sentence, delivered by president-elect Mohamed Morsi on June 24, 2012 was part of his first speech to the Egyptian people amid a section stressing the importance of “national unity.” Trust was a critical point to highlight moving forward after a contentious election when accusations were lodged […]

MENASource

Apr 1, 2013

Top News: Bassem Youssef Questioned for Insulting Morsi, Released on LE15,000 Bail

By Egypt Source

TV host and prominent political satirist Bassem Youssef has been released on LE15,000 ($2,200) bail after reporting to the Public Prosecution’s office. Youssef faces charges of insulting the president, contempt for Islam and publishing false news. 

MENASource

Apr 1, 2013

The Salvation of the National Salvation Front

By Fady Salah

In June 2012, 13 candidates from across the political spectrum ran for the presidency of Egypt. Revolutionary candidates with similar ideological stances competed against each other, although the prospect of some of them winning the presidential seat was near impossible. A few months after President Morsi secured the seat and came out victorious, leaders of several […]

MENASource

Mar 29, 2013

Top News: Al-Azhar Asserts Role, Clashes with Brotherhood

By Egypt Source

  Al-Azhar said on Thursday its clerics must be consulted on a law allowing the state to issue sukuk (Islamic bonds), setting it at odds with the Muslim Brotherhood which drove the legislation through the Shura Council last week. It marks the first time Al-Azhar, a thousand-year-old seat of Islamic learning, has said its Senior […]

MENASource

Mar 29, 2013

The Curious Case of Old Politics in the New Libya

By Karim Mezran

The sudden arrest of prominent Libyan exiles in Egypt and their swift extradition raises questions about the legitimacy of both the Libyan and Egyptian governments’ behavior. The revolts that swept North Africa brought down some of the most brutal and corrupt autocracies of the world. In their wake, one would expect new democratic political systems […]

Libya North Africa

MENASource

Mar 29, 2013

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood: Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire

By Tarek Radwan

The Muslim Brotherhood is trying to duck legal challenges to its organization by registering itself as a non-governmental organization (NGO), but its efforts will leave the group vulnerable with the same legal framework that threatens the future of civil society in Egypt. Discussions in the Shura Council suggest another Islamist-driven push for legislation that will […]

MENASource

Mar 28, 2013

Top News: Liberals, Islamists at Odds Over Controversial Protest Law

By Egypt Source

A new law governing protests, approved in principle by the Shura Council Tuesday, has sparked anger among the opposition’s political forces. Opponents, comprised mostly of liberal, secular and revolutionary youth groups, criticized the bill, saying it restricts Egyptians’ right to demonstrate peacefully. Meanwhile, the law’s supporters, who are mainly Islamist factions, said the legislation is […]

MENASource

Mar 27, 2013

Washington’s Undemocratic Bet on the Brotherhood

By Amr Hamzawy

After a visit to Washington in the spring of 2012 and multiple meetings with American politicians and researchers, it has become clear to me that the American administration built its policy towards Egypt after the revolution on a strategic bet on the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). In the American view, […]