[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]
Regional and International Relations
Donations for Gaza Reconstruction Stalled Due to “Lack of Trust” in Negotiations—Egyptian Ministers
Aswat Masriya reports.
Egypt and France Sign Protocol to Finance Taba Airport
Egypt Independent reports.
Egypt-China: Meeting of Civilizations, Principles and Interests
Ahmed al-Sayyed al-Naggar writes, “Since Egypt’s recognition of China in 1956, new, strong and long-lasting relations between Cairo and Beijing began—relations that nonetheless could go further now.”
Saudi-Sponsored Summit to Mend Ties between Egypt and Qatar
Ahmed Jamalelddine writes, “On the surface, it appears that the discord between Cairo and Doha is over. The Egyptian president will stop in Riyadh on his way back from China for a Saudi-sponsored meeting with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. It will be the first official meeting between the two men since the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood regime more than eighteen months ago strained Egyptian-Qatari relations, leading to a “media and financial war.””
As Egypt-Qatar Relations Thaw, Al Jazeera Pulls Mubasher Misr Off Air
Mai Shams El-Din and Mada Masr write on the underlying reasons behind the closure of Al Jazeera Mubaher channel.
Security
Egypt Turns to Youth to Augment Security Forces
Joel Gulhane writes on the ramifications of al-Sisi’s amendment of the Police Authority Act, which allows Egyptians —as young as nineteen years old— to join the ranks of the police.
A Timeline of Rafah Border Closings Since 2013
Mada Masr releases a timeline of Rafah border closures since Morsi’s ouster on 3 July 2013.
Human Rights and Legal Institutions
Manshiyet Nasser NGO Facing Eviction
Cairo Governorate gives the organization an ultimatum to leave headquarters by 31 December.
Nineteenth Century Ideas and Laws Govern the Use of Houses of Worship in Egypt
The Egyptian Initiative for Persona Rights releases a paper entitled: “Licensing Prayers: The Crisis of Places of Worships in Egypt.” This report is published in Arabic.
Assured Dysfunction: Egypt’s Parliamentary Constituencies Law
Ryan J. Suto argues the newly approved law governing the upcoming parliamentary elections creates a complex electoral system, marginalizes political parties, and allows for government manipulation easily.
Alexandria Court Orders Release of Seventy-Eight Minors Detained for Protesting
“The minors were arrested in demonstrations in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria soon after the 14 August 2013 dispersal of two major pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo,” Ahram Online reports.
Alleged Leak Points to Military Interference in Abu Zaabal Police Trial
Mada Masr reports.
Egypt Reduces Sentences for Twenty-Three Young Activists for Protesting: Sources
Reuters reports on the court sentence against activists charged with violating the protest law.
My Own Egyptian Trial Was Nothing Compared with What These Women Will Face Tomorrow
A day ahead of the trial against twenty-three female activists charged with denouncing the controversial protest law, Nancy Okail compares her experience with the judicial system following the campaign launched against foreign-funded organizations and these women.
Reports and Opinions
Coptic Activists Outraged by Pope's Remarks on Maspero Massacre
Following Pope Tawadros II’s remarks on Maspero massacre during an interview with a Spanish newspaper, Coptic activists expressed their outrage. Click here to read an article entitled: The Coptic Church and Politics in Egypt” by Georges Fahmi.
Egypt Bans 'Zionist' Film Exodus and Cites 'Historical Inaccuracies'
The Guardian reports.
Worse than the Dictators: Egypt’s Leaders Bring Pillars of Freedom Crashing Down
Partick Kingsley writes, “Adly Mansour and now Abdel Fatah al-Sisi are ruling by decrees, banning protest and severely curbing freedom of speech.”
Where is the Brotherhood Going?
Based on the political and social developments since the January 25 Revolution, Mohamed Habib writes on the Muslim Brotherhood’s relations with society, especially following the uprising against the group’s rule on 29 June 2013.
Senior Muslim Brotherhood Politician Handed Six-Year Jail Term
Middle East Eye reports, “al-Beltagi was in court on charges of breaking out of jail during the 2011 uprising when the court accused him of offending the judiciary.”
When Police Rape, Who Can People Turn To?
Nadine Marroushi argues, “The Egyptian legal system can heavily punish rapists when it wants to—provided they do not belong to state organizations.”
Fifteen Students Referred to Military Judiciary for “Rioting”—MENA
Aswat Masriya reports.
Sinai and the Marginalization of Egyptian Society
Amr Hamzawy writes on the repercussions of repressing civil society.
Abuse of Women by Islamist Militants: 'Mental Disorder' or Misreading of Sharia?
Ahram Online investigates the “abuse and mistreatment of women by Islamist militants.”
Egypt Parliamentary Polls in March, al-Sisi Reiterates
“Parliamentary elections represent the final stage of the post-30 June political roadmap, following the 2013 ouster of Islamist former president Mohamed Morsi.”
Investor-Government Disputes: Is It Worth Settling For?
Isabel Esterman writes “a rundown of Egypt’s attempts to reach voluntary settlements with investors.”
Arabic
عودة مصر
Fahmy Huwaidy writes on the media’s reporting of al-Sisi’s visit to China.
قراءة في تبيان حكم قضية الغاز في محاكمة القرن: لا زال الإفلات من العقوبة مستمرًّا في قضايا الفساد
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights releases a report that shows that impunity continues in corruption cases. This report in published in English.
مصر توقع أول عقد في مجال التصديع المائي مع شل وأباتشي
Egypt’s Shell and Apache sign first fracking contract. Click here to read the article in English.
حول تقرير مجلس الشيوخ الأمريكي عن التعذيب
Ayman Said Ashur reflects on the torture report released to Congress in early December 2014.
استقلالية الصحافة وحرية التعبير: الخوف والأمل
Rana al-Sabbagh writes on the journalist forum held in Jordan in early December.
إمبراطورية الجيش الاقتصادية: دعم السلطة الحاكمة يهدد نفوذ القطاع الخاص
Mada Masr writes on state-military relations in regards to the military institution’s economic empire that has grown to control some aspects of the private sector.
إلغاء جميع الأحكام العسكرية الصادرة ضد رجال الشرطة
Military court drops all charges against police officers.
صراع منابر المساجد يتجدّد في مصر
Walaa Hussain writes, “After cracking down on the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian regime is now going after Salafists by restricting access to mosque pulpits.” This article is translated and published in English.
سلطة الدولة الأخلاقية: نبيع الوهم للجماهير
Omar Said argues the state’s imposing morality on the public has in fact became a reality under al-Sisi’s presidency not, paradoxically, during Mohamed Morsi’s one-year rule.
قوانين الحد الأقصى للأجور.. للتفعيل أم للاستهلاك السياسي؟
Shahir George questions whether the minimum wages law was enacted for political reasons rather than actually implementing the law itself.
Recently on Jadaliyya Egypt
Roznama 3: Competition and Exhibition for Young Egyptian Artists
Medrar TV reports on Roznama 3 an art exhibition encouraging early career Egyptian artists to present their contemporary artwork.