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The Future of Democracy in Egypt

Session 1: February 16: Tahrir, Revolution in Progress

  • Historical background.
  • Characteristics of Pre-revolution Regime.
  • The road to Jan 25.
  • The Revolution and the Collective Mind.
  • The Regime’s response.
  • Removal of Mubarak, an initial Knock Out.
  • Attempts to hijack the revolution. The counter revolution.
  • Sustaining the revolution and the Battle of Points

Session 2: February 23: The Political Process

Possible Guest: One of the Egyptian American activists such as Dr. Dina Darwish from the Egyptian Association for Change as a co-speaker/commentator for this session or the previous session.

  • Revolution misunderstood. An inquiry into intentions!
  • The Road Map.
  • Promises, promises!
  • The Players.
    • MB
    • Salafi Surprise?
    • Liberal Failure?
    • Where is the left and Nasserists?
    • SCAF.
    • Foloul!
    • Popular Vote vs. electorate vote.
  • The Process.
  • Results of the Parliamentary Elections.
  • Divided House.

Session 3: March 1: Regional and Global Setting

  • Global Rise of Fundamentalism.
  • Impact of the Arab Israeli conflict.
  • The fever: Islamist ideology as a defensive reaction.
  • Double standards: Betraying and Failing liberal values.
  • Does US support Progressive or Conservative trends in the MENA region?
  • Influence of Saudi and Gulf Petrodollars on the local scene.
  • Rise of iCitizen in Tahrir and OWS: And end of a historic cycle?

 

Session 4: March 8: Future Outlook

Possible Guest:  Michele Dunn

  • Have the Arab spring revolutions succeeded or failed?
  • The future of democracy in Egypt and the middle east.
  • Moves of the players:
    • MBs
    • Salafis
    • Liberals
    • The left and Nasserists.
    • Revolution Activists
    • The Military.
    • Foloul!
  • International players and climate.
  • One-time elections democracy or a sustained democratic transformation process.

Michele Dunne is director of the Atlantic Council's Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East.
Dr. Dunne has served in the White House on the National Security Council staff, on the State Department’s Policy Planning Staff and in its Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and as a diplomat in Cairo and Jerusalem.