Discovering the New Territory of Egyptian Politics

U.S. foreign policy circles are still suffering from the shock of the sudden change in Egypt and the fall of the regime, which the United States saw as an important stabilizing element in the Middle East.

One expert on U.S. foreign policy on Egypt answered a question from the weekly Al-Ahram about Washington floundering in its dealing with the crisis. He stated that the relationship between the American administration and the regime of former President Hosni Mubarak stopped in 1995, pointing to the appreciation of subsequent American administrations for how Mubarak’s former regime handled its response to the increased wave of terrorism in the 1990s. He said that this is reflected in the confidence and cooperation with Mubarak, even as he left no room for opposition to his rule. Another expert claimed that American policies toward Egypt and the Arab world are facing a dilemma caused by a long history of policy decisions being in the grips of a specific group of people, closely associated with the “old” regimes. Even now, most of them speak in terms of not just American interests but in terms of the interests with these regimes as well. The worst part was the support of the repressive regimes without any review or consideration of their repressive positions.

The U.S. now needs to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with Egypt — not only in regard to the recent Egyptian Revolution but also in terms of the need for new faces in the offices of the State Department who are more aware of and better equipped to handle the changes happening throughout the region. On the other hand, those in power who would not allow different cadres within Egyptian policy circles to use their talent held Egyptian diplomacy prisoner and used it for their own benefit. On the basis of the previous statement, experts in Washington expect “a liberation of Egyptian foreign policy” from the status quo and the ushering in of a new generation, better able to achieve Egyptian national security interests without any direction from foreign parties. According to officials at the U.S. State Department, the general political framework of Arab politics will see the return of Egypt to a position of leadership in the region depending on independent policy decisions that would be supported by a legitimately elected authority of the people in the near future.

Regional issues related to geographical borders will be closely watched in the American capital in order to understand the new processes of negotiation in Egyptian politics — especially in regard to the issues of Gaza, Sudan and Libya. These all are issues that have similar characteristics varying between a weak national grip and the collapse or the faltering of authority.

Americans are looking at Egypt in a new light and as an added value to resolve outstanding and deteriorating regional issues. This is what makes American political circles seek a quick understanding of all active political parties in the Egyptian arena, which will definitely be affected by the presence of a newly elected parliament that represents a wide spectrum of political groups. At the forefront of these parties are the Islamic ones that have gained legitimacy from the revolution along with liberal and leftist parties.

As a way to revive Egyptian foreign policy, communication between Congress and the elected Egyptian House of Representatives will play a vital role in forming a new relationship that stems from parity. The Egyptian parliament will not be as before: in need of shameful covering. Parliament will not have any suspicions surrounding its legitimacy. This is what will also give room for both Parliament and the executive government to work together in a mature manner, utilizing all the different talents that Egypt has in its new, constant state of activity and not in a state of quiescence as before.