Egypt’s Uncertain Future: Political, Economic, and Human Rights Challenges

gypt today is facing unprecedented political, economic, and social challenges that are due to both internal and external factors. Since the 2013 coup and the resurgence of authoritarianism, Egypt has been locked in a state of political impasse with no real signs of change, while facing numerous economic and financial challenges ranging from significant levels of domestic and foreign debt to high inflation, deteriorating standards of living, declining tourism, and an outflow of billions of dollars following the devaluation of its currency. The ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine, have further exacerbated the economic crisis. At the same time, Egypt is witnessing a human rights catastrophe as thousands of politicians, activists, journalists, and human rights advocates languish in prison and suffer from inhumane treatment and appalling conditions. Arab Center Washington DC is organizing this webinar to analyze and unpack the different aspects of Egypt’s political, economic, and human rights crises, and to explore their impacts on Egypt’s future and its prospects for democratic change.

Speakers:

Mona El-Ghobashy
Clinical Associate Professor in Liberal Studies, New York University

Robert Springborg
Senior Visiting Fellow and Scientific Advisor, Italian Institute of International Affairs; Adjunct Professor, Simon Fraser University

Sarah Leah Whitson
Executive Director, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN)

Khalil al-Anani - Moderator
Senior Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC