*Topicality/Definitions Democracy Promotion Includes Military Intervention
US Democratic Promotion in Egypt Effective
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- US Must Maintain High Bar on Human Rights Performance for Egypt
US Democratic Promotion in Egypt EffectiveUS DEMOCRACY PROMOTION EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN EGYPT – NEED TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS REMAINING OBSTACLES Robert Bowker, Center for Arab & Islamic Studies, Australian National University, 2013, American Democracy Promotion in the Changing Middle East: From Bush to Obama, eds. Akbarzadeh, MacQueen, Piscattori & Saikal, p. 126-7 In July 2006 President George W. Bush spoke of the creation of a new moment of opportunity in the history of the Middle East. It remains to be seen for whom this moment of opportunity was created. The impact of the transition in Egypt will be felt across the region. Overall, as the transitional period matures into something more enduring, there are grounds to be cautiously optimistic about the capacity of Egypt to sustain the momentum of social progress, and in due course to regain and continue with economic reform, despite the political and other challenges ahead. The achievements of the economic reform process to date, to which the US and EU have both made important practical contributions, have been impressive. The capacity of Egyptians to harness their intellectual energy to make further progress in terms of human security and economic development will improve over the coming decade, if Egypt’s political leadership is effective. But it is also clear that some important dilemmas and difficulties will have to be addressed, including the need for political reform to be part of the process of economic transformation, and for reformists in both Islamist and secular parties to be more active and effective in seeking to capture the political imagination of the emerging Egyptian middle class. US CAN CONTRIBUTE TO EGYPTIAN DEMOCRACY – MUST FOCUS ON HELPING EGYPT CREATE AN ECONOMY THAT MEETS THE YOUNG GENERATION’S NEEDS Robert Bowker, Center for Arab & Islamic Studies, Australian National University, 2013, American Democracy Promotion in the Changing Middle East: From Bush to Obama, eds. Akbarzadeh, MacQueen, Piscattori & Saikal, p. 127 The shortcomings of the US approach to Egypt during the Bush era are a reminder of the need to take a realistic view of the political, moral and practical complexity which surrounds dealings between leading developed countries and their Arab counterparts, including in regard to human rights. There is a place for the United States in helping to shape those dealings, including through support or the building of Egypt’s economic capacity. It needs to remain focused on the importance of Egypt succeeding in efforts to empower and fulfil the aspirations of its younger generation. Considerable US interests are at stake in doing so. But the effectiveness of the US role in that regard will be dependent to a very large degree upon the extent to which it is attuned to the hopes and sensitivities, as well as the fears and frustration, of an Arab generation in transition, in a region whose global strategic and political significance continues to rise. US DEMOCRACY PROMOTION IN EGYPT ASSUMES A GRADUAL TRANSITION Dionysis Markakis, Center for International and Regional Studies- Georgetown University, 2016, US Democracy Promotion in the Middle East: The Pursuit of Hegemony, p. 90 The scope and depth of the US strategy of democracy promotion in Egypt under G.W. Bush was illustrated in a confidential diplomatic cable. Ambassador Francis Ricciardone outlined the “Next Steps for Advancing Democracy in Egypt” in early 2006. He claimed: “We do not have a silver bullet, but we can press reforms that will lead, inexorably, to the death by 1000 cuts; of Egypt’s authoritarian system. There will be no “Orange Revolution on the Nile” on Mubarak’s watch, but we must aim to consolidate each modest democratic advance. A steady, incremental approach will continue to stretch Egypt toward a democratic future.” USAID PROGRAMS FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ADAPT TO DEOCRATIC TRANSITION NEEDS IN EGYPT George A. Laudato, USAID, 2011, House Hearing: Assessing U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities and Needs Amidst Economic Challenges in the Middle East, March 01, [http://www.hcfa.house.gov/112/65055.pdf], p. 23 Since the beginning of the protests in the Middle East, USAID began redirecting ongoing programs and quickly put in place new programs that are responding to the rapidly unfolding situation and meeting needs as they emerge. For instance, in Egypt we have been in contact with a wide range of critical actors, including current Egyptian partners and new actors mobilized by recent events, to demonstrate USG support for a peaceful transition, listen to their assistance priorities, and redirect significant components of their activities in support of a democratic transition. In an effort to help make the aspirations for reform into a reality, USAID will also work through public sector institutions at all levels to improve systems of governance and help governance institutions better respond to needs of citizens. If appropriate USAID will work with relevant government-related institutions in conducting democratic elections. These initiatives demonstrate our responsiveness to the people of Egypt in their desire for free and fair elections, accountable government, and respect for universal human rights. US Must Maintain High Bar on Human Rights Performance for EgyptUS MUST AVOID A LOWER STANDARD OF HUMAN RIGHTS PERFORMANCE BY EGYPT Robert Bowker, Center for Arab & Islamic Studies, Australian National University, 2013, American Democracy Promotion in the Changing Middle East: From Bush to Obama, eds. Akbarzadeh, MacQueen, Piscattori & Saikal, p. 126 The scale and complexity of the challenge of change should not be an argument for winding back US ambition to foster progressive political values in Egypt and elsewhere. The European Union (EU) and Egypt struggled over the past decade to reconcile their mutual interest in engagement across a range of issues, with a politically driven process among European countries emphasizing sustainable development, rule of law, democracy and human rights. Neither enjoyed much success in persuading the other of their point of view, nor was there much discernible effect on Egypt’s record in regard to human rights. But the EU continued to take the view, quite properly, that it was not possible, bearing in mind its global position on human rights, to lower the bar on the issue in the case of Egypt. For the United States, no less than for the Europeans, there is an overriding need for sound foreign policy reasons to remain true to its own values and avoid adopting double standards toward Egypt and other countries in the region. There will, inevitably, be policy accommodations between reality and idealism. Some fluctuations may occur in the level of priority accorded by the United States to supporting political reform in Egypt’s case, and to engaging in the Middle East peace process. But the inconsistency in approaches to Egypt under the Bush Administration, and reluctance on the part of the Bush and Obama Administrations to apply the full weight of US moral authority to Israel and the Palestinian Authority, and where necessary, to Egypt, in shaping the outcomes of that conflict have been especially damaging to US credibility and interests. 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