Egypt at the Crossroads: Pandemic, Authoritarianism and Geopolitical Aspirations

Almost ten years after the Arab Spring, Egypt is experiencing a counter-revolution that has swept away the momentum of the democratic revolts to make room for a military-dominated autocracy. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appears to be Egypt’s strongman, but the foundation of his power is fragile and closely connected to the trajectory of the military élites. While the economy suffers the disastrous consequences of the pandemic and civil society is increasingly harassed into silence, Egyptian foreign policy aims at regaining its pivotal position in Africa and the Middle East. As a result, Egypt is a more fragile country than it appears at first sight. Is this a comeback of the Mubarak era? Could a political space be open for the oppositions (including the Islamists) and what role does the military play in today’s Egypt? Finally, what are Egypt’s international priorities?