15 Things Egypt Must Do To Step Back From the Brink
Bassem Sabry recommends how Egypt can de-escalate the current crisis.
CAIRO — Nearly 40 Egyptians have died in clashes with security forces over the last few days, and more than 1,100 have been injured, according to official figures as of this writing. Three cities have been declared in a state of emergency and under curfew, protests continue in many parts of the country (the peak of which occurred around the second anniversary of the Jan. 25 revolution), clashes with the police continue, and the army has mobilized. Radical groups have appeared on the scene, including an anarchist-leaning group called “The Black Bloc” that made its presence quite visible.
A beleaguered President Mohammed Morsi has called for national dialogue during a speech in which he seemed shaky and exhausted, despite efforts to look defiant. The opposition has controversially refused to attend a dialogue without clear agenda - as they put it - and lacking in seriousness and commitment, and has set what some claim as too-difficult conditions for participating in dialogue, though still welcoming dialogue in principle.
In part, it’s troubling that these headlines no longer carry the shock value they should have.
Setting aside any positive elements of what might be happening in the Egyptian scene (such as more people feeling emboldened), it’s clear that the country cannot sustain its current course. Some radical moves and political courage need to manifest.
