Opinion
Democracy vs liberalism
March 25, 2011
Democracy vs liberalism
Is Egypt heading towards some form of liberal democracy? More importantly, does democracy always imply liberalism, with free and fair…
Beyond the referendum
March 24, 2011
Beyond the referendum
The “yes” camp in the Egyptian referendum for constitutional reform got 77 percent. The “no” vote got the rest. And…
Reform security, secure reform
March 23, 2011
Reform security, secure reform
A few years ago, I visited the Stasi Museum in Berlin. I had learned about the East German security apparatus…
Lest the revolution turn into a wasted opportunity
March 23, 2011
Lest the revolution turn into a wasted opportunity
Following the successful 1919 revolution and after the British occupying forces succumbed to the will of the Egyptian people, King…
The Libyan conundrum
March 21, 2011
The Libyan conundrum
The present situation in Libya is quite fluid. Very few Arabs want the regime of Muammar Qadhafi to stay. At…
It’s politics, stupid
March 20, 2011
It’s politics, stupid
“Its politics, stupid.” But in the New Egypt, we dared to hope for more. The latest Doha Debates took place…
Why early elections can be a good thing
March 18, 2011
Why early elections can be a good thing
Controversy has erupted over the Egyptian army’s plan to hold early parliamentary elections this year. Proponents of an extended transitional…
Interim or not, military should not rule alone
March 17, 2011
Interim or not, military should not rule alone
A population does not pay with the lives of its citizens to rid itself of one authoritarian, unaccountable form of…
Five positions on the revolution
March 17, 2011
Five positions on the revolution
One night in Tahrir Square, during the revolution, I lit a cigarette and threw the empty box on the floor.…
The undemocratic basis of democracy
March 15, 2011
The undemocratic basis of democracy
Freedom has been on the top of the demands raised by the 25 January revolutionaries in Egypt. Following Hosni Mubarak’s…