Middle East

Sisi’s Transition: Pivoting Away from 1954?

By Maged Atiya

The popularity of Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi rests more on hope that he will lead Egypt away from the brink and less on knowledge of the man himself. While many journalists and scholars have been quick to caricature him, few have tried to understand the historical forces likely to shape his role. If Sisi […]

Who is in Egypt’s New Cabinet?

Prime Minister designate Ibrahim Mehleb announced on Thursday that he is finalizing the list of names chosen for Egypt’s new cabinet, to be presented to interim President Adly Mansour on Saturday. According to initial reports, at least seventeen ministers will remain in their positions, nine new ministers will join the cabinet, and five portfolios have […]

Syria: Time To Review the Bidding

By Frederic C. Hof

Well first of all, David, this is not a genocide. It’s a horrific civil war that has spilled over and infused the neighboring states. It’s one that we have worked very hard to end, through support to the opposition, through humanitarian assistance, through active and aggressive diplomacy. And David, we have every interest in trying […]

Tunisia, the United States, and Terrorism

By Bassem Bouguerra

Tunisia has recently celebrated the birth of a new constitution to mark the accomplishment of a major milestone towards democracy. The announcement of the constitution was shortly followed by the inauguration of a new government of independents headed by Mehdi Jomaa to put an end to a political deadlock that polarized the nation and placed the […]

Would the Loss of Ukraine Harden Russia Policy on Syria?

By Barbara Slavin

Why do despots invariably have such atrocious taste?  Ukrainians wandering wide-eyed through the palace outside Kyiv of fugitive Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych simultaneously marveled and gagged at the gilded furniture, stuffed dead cats and gold bathroom fixtures. But their elation at overturning their corrupt, if elected, president could fade quickly if Russia’s elected, if authoritarian, president Vladimir […]

Christians, Mostly, Embracing Sisi

By Jayson Casper

Ultimately, the formation of a new government in Egypt should be about one word: Competency. But the current nature of politics substitutes another word entirely: Sisi. Local analysis revolves around the question of what the development means in terms of the defense minister’s anticipated candidacy for president, and when he will take off his uniform […]

Factbox: The Formation of Egypt’s New Cabinet

By Sarah Saleeb

On Monday, Hazem El-Beblawy’s cabinet unexpectedly submitted its resignation to interim President Adly Mansour, giving no reason for the surprise move. Mansour accepted the resignation within hours, commending Beblawy for the work he had done during Egypt’s “critical and hard time following the June 30 revolution.” Some speculate the resignation is tied to Defense Minister Abdel […]