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Values, Emotions and Strategy on the Nile

(Kennedy School-Harvard University) Chuck Freilich - Egypt could become a moderate, stable, pro-Western democracy, committed to peace. Other outcomes, however, are also possible. Egypt may remain a military dictatorship. The Muslim Brotherhood or some other radical Islamist movement could eventually take over, in the coming period or down the line. One can argue that they gained "only" 20% of the parliament when allowed to run, or, conversely, that a previously banned party won a "whopping" 20% despite severe restrictions and will likely do far better under free elections. Hamas in Gaza is simply the Brotherhood's Palestinian offshoot, not a positive omen when it comes to Egypt's future commitment to good governance, democracy and peace. The author, a senior fellow at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, was a deputy national security advisor in Israel.
2011-02-22 00:00:00
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