Shai Feldman explore the growing rift between Washington and Cairo, rooted as it is in the very different manner in which the two have come to define the recent events experienced in Egypt and their competing narratives about these developments. They conclude by taking stock of the two countries’ long-standing significance to each other, and suggest ways in which a major effort can be launched to “reset” their relations.
Conclusions
U.S.-Egypt relations are currently experiencing a negative trajectory. Yet as the preceding analysis makes clear, Egypt is too important to ignore. A major effort should therefore be launched, involving addressing all dimensions of the crisis, to “reset” the two countries’ relations. Discussions should take place aimed at narrowing the wide gap between the two sides’ competing narratives about developments in Egypt since the eruption of the Arab Awakening, including their very different understandings of the current situation in Egypt. Candid conversations between the two countries’ top leaders are necessary if they are to be more sensitive to their respective priorities and concerns. If a narrower gap in narratives can be achieved, along with greater understanding of each other’s concerns, both sides might refrain from actions—such as restricting certain forms of aid on the U.S. side and jailing secular liberal critics and protesters on the Egyptian side—that poison U.S.-Egyptian relations. Indeed, such a degree of engagement would give the U.S. opportunities to incentivize the Egyptian military to allow Egyptian youth and liberal organizations a much greater role in politics, thus increasing their chances of one day becoming a third political force. The common interest of both sides in combating terrorism makes such engagement not only necessary but urgent.
Hopefully, such an improved environment might allow the U.S. to take a new course in its relations with Egypt. Instead of passing judgment on Egypt’s performance, the U.S. might choose to engage in a constructive conversation with Cairo, and to assist it: 1) in restoring stability to the country; 2) in meeting the objectives of the “road map” it adopted toward a more democratic government; and 3) in helping transform Egypt into a civic, as opposed to theocratic, state. None of these goals will be reached easily, or without tension and conflict. But constructive
U.S.-Egyptian engagement—with each side respecting the other’s unique contributions to world history—could stop if not reverse the current negative trajectory, to the benefit of both sides.
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Dr. Abdel Monem Said Aly is Chairman of the Board, CEO, and Director of the Regional Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo, Chairman of Al-Masry Al- Youm, and a Senior Fellow at the Crown Center.
Prof. Shai Feldman is the Judith and Sidney Swartz Director of the Crown Center.
http://www.brandeis.edu/crown/publications/meb/meb79.html