Future of Egypt, Mideast subject of Global Table

A scene in central Cairo's Tahrir Square at the time of Hosni Mubarak's ouster

Hopes that the rapid fall of long-ruling dictators in Tunisia and Egypt signaled the rise of a democratic tornado that would sweep through the Middle East are being scaled back as autocrats in Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen move forcibly to repress dissent.

Many believe that a new era has dawned, particularly in Egypt, the region's most populous country. But the nature of that era is increasingly unclear as the ruling military, while still promising prompt elections, moves to control streets simmering both with general discontent and with Muslim-Christian frictions.

What has happened in Egypt and where the country may be headed is the subject of the first Global Affairs Table of the semester, which will be held Wednesday, March 16, in the Lurias Conference Room of Hassenfeld Conference Center. Lunch will be provided at no charge.

The personal insights of Egyptian student Sara Enan '11 and the expert views of Eva Bellin, Myra and Robert Kraft Professor of Arab Politics Bellin, and Nader Habibi, Henry J. Leir Professor of the Economics of the Middle East, will set the stage for discussion among informed students, faculty and other members of the Brandeis community.

Attendance is limited to 30 people to keep the discussion conversational; RSVP here.

Discussion will center on:

  • The future of the military-run interim government and democratic elections
  • Local and international impacts of the revolution and spillover effects on the immediate region, both in Arab states and in Israel
  • The influence of the Internet and other media in Egypt generally and on youth empowerment.

The Global Affairs Table is a project of participants in the Wien International Scholarship Program.

Categories: International Affairs, Student Life

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