Post by peterd on Nov 15, 2012 9:41:55 GMT -8
Egypt's Foreign Policy Under Muhammad Mursi: Trying To Please Everybody
Introduction
Some 100 days after he took office, the foreign policy of Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi is becoming apparent. Mursi seeks to adopt a foreign policy different from that of Mubarak: More independent and not dictated by the U.S.; more vigorous, with the aim of restoring Egypt's leading status in the region; more balanced and open to all world countries without preferring a certain bloc; and peaceful rather than confrontational. In an August 2012 interview with Reuters, Mursi said: "The Egyptian foreign policy will be based on regional and international balance and on openness to all... in an attempt to convey a message of peace and stability... We will never be party to aggression towards anyone, and we will not stand for anyone threatening our safety or the safety of the region for any reason. My words are addressed to all, including all countries of the region... [Our] foreign policy will be based on cooperation and nonintervention in the affairs of others."[1]
In practice, this policy is characterized by "walking between the raindrops": Egypt seeks to take a median position in the regional and international balances of power and a regarding the main issues on the regional and global agendas. Mursi is stepping cautiously, attempting to maintain correct relations with all players and leave Egypt room to maneuver, so that it can respond to the shifting currents in the Middle East and the world.
It should be said that a tendency to delay decisions and opt for the safer position has been typical of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) since the onset of the revolution. The movement does not rush to take positions on various developments, but rather tests the waters first, and eventually tends to make a decision that enables it to retreat if its interests and the changing circumstances make this necessary.[2] This pattern is evident in four main areas:
www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/6810.htm
Introduction
Some 100 days after he took office, the foreign policy of Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi is becoming apparent. Mursi seeks to adopt a foreign policy different from that of Mubarak: More independent and not dictated by the U.S.; more vigorous, with the aim of restoring Egypt's leading status in the region; more balanced and open to all world countries without preferring a certain bloc; and peaceful rather than confrontational. In an August 2012 interview with Reuters, Mursi said: "The Egyptian foreign policy will be based on regional and international balance and on openness to all... in an attempt to convey a message of peace and stability... We will never be party to aggression towards anyone, and we will not stand for anyone threatening our safety or the safety of the region for any reason. My words are addressed to all, including all countries of the region... [Our] foreign policy will be based on cooperation and nonintervention in the affairs of others."[1]
In practice, this policy is characterized by "walking between the raindrops": Egypt seeks to take a median position in the regional and international balances of power and a regarding the main issues on the regional and global agendas. Mursi is stepping cautiously, attempting to maintain correct relations with all players and leave Egypt room to maneuver, so that it can respond to the shifting currents in the Middle East and the world.
It should be said that a tendency to delay decisions and opt for the safer position has been typical of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood (MB) since the onset of the revolution. The movement does not rush to take positions on various developments, but rather tests the waters first, and eventually tends to make a decision that enables it to retreat if its interests and the changing circumstances make this necessary.[2] This pattern is evident in four main areas:
www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/6810.htm