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?
Woodrow Wilson Center
George Washington University and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Stanford University
Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy - TIMEP
Università Roma Tre
University of Aberdeen
The Century Foundation
Corriere della Sera
ISPI and Catholic University
University of Navarra and AIES
Sapienza University and Atlantic Council
National Defense University
Independent scholar
German Institute for International and Security Affairs