Encouraging Democracy by Undermining International Law?
Assad, for example, would be less likely to resign if it meant that the ICC would subsequently attempt to arrest him. Refusing to bring in the ICC means sacrificing justice to ensure – or at least encourage – a peaceful end to a conflict.
Why Has the Egyptian Revolution Stalled?
In addition to the regular reading list, I am offering a pretty good selection on Egypt. I am crazy behind this week and have not really had time to comment on all I want to, including many issues that are covered in these readings. Unsurprisingly, the main constant through all of these pieces is the … Read more
On the Attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo, Part II
My reaction to the attack on the Israeli embassy was pretty straight forward: the refusal of SCAF to protect the embassy was unforgivable and a poor attempt to deflect the council’s own shortcomings, but the anger that fueled the attack was certainly provoked in part by the murder of five Egyptian police by Israel – … Read more
YNet: Arabs Unprepared for Democracy
Yigal Walt at YNet News writes: IDF Major General Arab Spring” may ultimately turn into a “radical Islamic winter.” Recent events in Egypt and elsewhere in the region indicate that this grim assessment is materializing at a rapid pace right before our eyes. Foolish Western observers who lauded the “great revolutions” sweeping the Middle East have displayed … Read more
On The Attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo
Last week, as the Israeli government was building a giant wall surrounding the Israeli embassy in Cairo, I opined that the wall should not be seen as a necessity because of anti-Semitism or a rejection of Israel, but rather as a reflection of the reality Israel has created for itself. Killing nine Turkish (and American) … Read more
The Egyptian Military’s Broken Promises
Since the Egyptian military helped the people bring down Hosni Mubarak and created the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to act as an interim government, there has been nearly no revolutionary changes, leading many to downgrade Jan25 from a revolution to a military coup. Despite the demands of the Egyptian people, SCAF has done … Read more
The Islamist/Secular Dichotomy in Egypt
In Egypt, they warn, the Muslim Brotherhood will overtake the young secular activists who bravely brought down dictator Hosni Mubarak. In Syria, they have claimed, Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship may be brutal, but it is a lesser evil than a Sunni majority that will oppress Christians, Shiites, and women. Such anxiety plays perfectly into the ruling rationale of the region’s secular sultans, … Read more
Should We Be Concerned for Egypt’s Revolution
In The National Interest Marina Ottaway describes the chaotic nature of the transitional periods in Egypt and Tunisia as a consequence of a lack of an agreed upon transitional plan. The transitional governments in both countries are illegitimate and must make the fundamental shifts necessary to allow elections and the creation of an elected government. … Read more
Can the Salafis Win in Egypt?
A Salafi government in Egypt has been seen as unlikely by many – until, that is, the mass protest last week that brought hundreds of thousands of Islamists to Tahrir Square in a demonstration of strength. My first reaction concerned the separation of the Muslim Brotherhood, which attended the rally, from both the more conservative … Read more
Chris Keeler
Chris Whitman
