Former U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Daniel C. Kurtzer discusses the demonstrations and protests in Egypt.

January 27, 2011

Daniel C. Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Egypt, member of USIP's Senior Working Group on the Middle East, and co-author, with USIP expert Scott Lasensky, of the USIP Press book "Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace," discusses the current situation in Egypt. Kurtzer is currently a lecturer and the S. Daniel Abraham Visiting Professor of Middle East Policy Studies at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.

How do you assess what is happening politically in Egypt over the past few days as public outcry continues? Is this related to Tunisia?

The demonstrations and protests in Egypt are a continuation – and intensification - of political activity that has been underway for several years. Using new communication tools to rally support and keep the protests alive, demonstrators are demanding an end of the emergency laws that have been in effect for more than three decades, and they want the political system to open up. Recent events in Tunisia surely have influenced the activists in Egypt, but the issues and problems are homegrown.

Despite the demonstrations this week, life in Cairo reportedly is relatively unaffected. Businesses are operating, and there is no sense of panic.

Back to Top

What should we watch for next?

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian government are unlikely to make any concessions under pressure. For the government, the first order of business will be to restore order and to bring an end to the street protests. That said, Mubarak has demonstrated a willingness in the past to respond to some public concerns, and thus limited reforms might be announced after calm is restored. However, this is a presidential election year, which puts a premium on stability as far as the government is concerned. As such, the scope of such reforms, should they be announced, is likely to be limited and may not satisfy the minimal demands of the protesters.

Back to Top

 

Additional Perspectives

Back to Top


Related Publications

Five Factors Shaping the Future of Egypt-Israel Relations

Five Factors Shaping the Future of Egypt-Israel Relations

Thursday, June 13, 2024

The Gaza war has strained Egyptian-Israeli relations to an unprecedented level and raised questions about the future of their 1979 peace treaty that has been a cornerstone of Arab-Israeli peace. U.S. officials met recently in Cairo with their Israeli and Egyptian counterparts against a backdrop of mutually diminishing confidence between the two parties, particularly following Israel’s ground offensive in Rafah. This comes on the heels of a shooting incident between Israeli and Egyptian forces that left at least one Egyptian soldier dead, and Egypt joining South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Along with Qatar, Egypt is a key broker in the current Israel-Hamas cease-fire efforts and engages in extensive security cooperation with the U.S. and Israel.

Type: Question and Answer

Conflict Analysis & Prevention

Is China Eyeing a Second Military Base in Africa?

Is China Eyeing a Second Military Base in Africa?

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

For over three decades, every Chinese foreign minister’s first overseas trip of the year has been to Africa. This year continued the tradition with China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, visiting Egypt, Tunisia, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire. Notably, every one of these countries is coastal. And yet, at a time of continued speculation over China’s next military installation in Africa, none of these countries has featured prominently as potential locations in previous analyses. We might, therefore, reasonably ask what China’s current considerations are around basing in Africa. Faced with an increasingly multipolar and assertive Africa at a time of domestic economic challenge, however, China’s long-term strategy remains unclear.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy

Six Dilemmas Facing Egypt

Six Dilemmas Facing Egypt

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007, Egypt has been heavily involved in efforts to end the military confrontations and wars that have periodically broken out in Gaza. However, the scope, scale and stakes of the current war is unlike any prior round of hostilities. In response to the massacre and hostage-taking of mostly Israeli civilians by Hamas and other militant armed groups during their devastating attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Israel has launched one of the most destructive wars in its history. Indeed, this war will be transformational in numerous ways, with ramifications for several stakeholders beyond the parties themselves.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & PreventionGlobal Policy

How a Gaza Marine Deal Could Benefit Palestinians, Israelis and the Region

How a Gaza Marine Deal Could Benefit Palestinians, Israelis and the Region

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Amid today’s dismal Israeli-Palestinian context, positive developments have been in short supply. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s June announcement of preliminary approval for the development of the Gaza Marine gas fields provided a rare glimpse of a potential win-win opportunity. For the Palestinians, it could provide a much-needed boost to their lagging economy and the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority (PA). On the Israeli side, it allows the Netanyahu government to claim it is assisting in improving living conditions in Gaza and could lead to less U.S. pressure on issues like settlement expansion. In the big picture, this is another example of how energy is increasingly becoming a focus for potential win-win agreements in the East Mediterranean.

Type: Analysis

Economics

View All Publications