CJPME Political Blog, June 26, 2015: Not since the early 1970s has Egypt been so militarily active in the Middle East. The calamitous legacy of Egypt’s previous military engagements in Yemen and Israel had long deterred an active military response to regional insecurity. Yet, under the emboldened leadership of President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, Egypt has expanded police and military operations in the Sinai Peninsula, and it has been playing a pivotal role in countering Islamic State activities in eastern Libya and in the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in Yemen. Indeed, this bellicose strategy signals a clear break from abstention in regional conflicts. 

CJPME Factsheet 186, published September, 2014: This factsheet provides an overview of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, discussing its emergence and the popular support it enjoys.  The factsheet also provides an overview of its historical role in Egyptian society, and its current status.

CJPME Factsheet 180, published November, 2013: In the summer of 2013, the government of Mohamed Morsi was overthrown by the Egyptian Army.  This factsheet looks at the circumstances of the coup d'étât and the events leading up to it.

CJPME Factsheet 120, published March, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of Egypt’s Coptic Christian community, which represent 10% of Egyptians. Since there is no racial or ethnic difference between Christian and Muslim Egyptians, this factsheet looks at who the Coptic Christians of Egypt are, how are the relations between them vis-à-vis their government, how well they co-exist with Muslims, and what are the kinds of discriminations they face in Egyptian society.

CJPME Factsheet 113, published February, 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational organization whose organizing principle is “Islam is the solution.” Founded by Hassan al-Banna in 1928 in Egypt, where the British were continuing their military presence despite having declared Egypt independent, the MB is the world’s largest and most influential Islamist organization. This factsheet looks at the Brotherhood during Egypt’s constitutional monarchy (1928-1949), the Nasser years (1950-1970), the Sadat’s presidency (1970-1981), and the Mubarak era (1981-2011).

CJPME Factsheet 112, published February 2011: This factsheet provides an overview of the current protests in Egypt, a country of extreme importance demographically, geographically, and politically. The significant of these protests is that they are some of the biggest Egypt has experienced in decades. This factsheet looks at the people leading the protests, the socioeconomic and sociopolitical grievances that have triggered calls for Mubarak’s resignation, as well as what Mubarak’s departure could mean to the region, and peace in particular.

CJPME Factsheet 94, published July, 2010: Egypt has one of the most developed and diversified economies of the Middle East, second in the Arab world only to Saudi Arabia. Currently, the country may be standing on the brink of turmoil. Some analysts call it a ticking time bomb that might go off at anytime. This factsheet looks at Egypt’s political landscape, the degree of accountability and civil liberties (or lack thereof), what is at stake for Egypt and for the region in a post-Mubarak environment, and who are the individuals that could end up replacing him.