Egypt’s Election Contest Between Generals, Tycoons
Egypt’s parliamentary elections are really a competition between the army and big business.
Africa
Natural Gas Discovery Could Give Egypt Relief
The discovery of a huge gasfield off the Egyptian coast couldn’t have come at a better time for the Arab nation.
Rival Libyan Factions Fail to Agree to Power-Sharing Plan
Libya’s rival factions turn down a peace plan even though they share a common enemy: Islamic State.
South Africa and the Perils of Forced Union in the Middle East
Having learned nothing from history, the West is compelling warring tribes to coexist against their will.
America Unlocks Aid to Egypt in Effort to Reassure Arabs
Not wanting to be seen as leaning too heavily toward Iran, the United States restore military assistance to Egypt.
Plans for Joint Arab Military Force Look Improbable
Arab states have too many conflicting interests and priorities to make a joint military force work.
Sisi’s Big Buyoff: A New Egyptian Capital
Plans to build a new capital are an attempt to placate Egypt’s restive population.
Libya’s Islamic State Threat Should Not Be Overstated
The war between Libya’s rival governments, and the loyalties they command, matters more.
Egypt Strikes Libya Islamists, Italy Wary of Intervention
Egypt calls for an international effort to “defeat terrorism” in Libya. Italy isn’t so sure.
Libya Rivals Talk in Face of Common Enemy: Minister
Violent Islamism in Libya raises the possibility of rapprochement between its rival governments.
Don’t Admire the Big Man
Admiration for strongmen reveals an unhealthy desire to be led and a misjudgment of sound politics.
Escalating Conflict Hits Libya’s Oil Exports
Fighting between factions in the east and west of Libya threatens the country’s economic lifeline.
With Mubarak Acquitted, Egypt’s Arab Spring Is Over
The former strongman’s acquittal shows Egypt has turned back to the clock.
Algerian President Hospitalized as Strike Points to Power Struggle
Abdelaziz Bouteflika is released from a French hospital as cracks appear in his country’s secretive regime.
Libya Edges Closer to Splitting in Two
The eastern and western halves of Libya look more and more like separate countries.