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Egypt: The Brotherhood's Predicament

(Asharq Al-Awsat-UK) Tariq Alhomayed - Politically, the Muslim Brotherhood will soon find themselves face to face with the Camp David Accords. The Muslim Brotherhood has built their legitimacy upon opposing these accords. This means that today, the Muslim Brotherhood must say - in actions, not words - whether they want to abolish the treaty. This would mean declaring war on Israel, and it is well known that the Egyptian economy cannot bear any more demonstrations, let alone wars; so will the Muslim Brotherhood, in fact, accept this treaty when they come to power? The many statements coming out of America about the ongoing communication between the U.S. and the Brotherhood suggests that the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will not dare touch the Camp David Accords. The economic situation has become a real disaster. Egypt is not an oil-producing state like Libya, which means that whoever rules Egypt - or is the strongest party there - must depend on tourism, Egypt's lifeblood. Attracting tourists requires security, and this goes against any potential violation of the Camp David Accords. Tourism also requires greater openness and freedoms. If the Brotherhood manages to overcome the two aforementioned predicaments, then this will inevitably put them on course for a sharp collision with the Salafists. Yet if the Muslim Brotherhood applies the ideas they have long promoted, this means that they will lead Egypt towards wars and bankruptcy. The writer is editor-in-chief of Asharq Al-Awsat.
2011-12-06 00:00:00
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