When people ask me about the Muslim Brotherhood, whether or not they aim to spread Islamic law throughout Egypt and turn it into the next Iran, I laugh. The Egyptian group's rhetoric sounds familiar to me--it sounds almost exactly like what comes out of the American Republican party. The religiosity, the nationalism... it's not scary, it's politics.
I'm apparently not the only person who thinks that way. To me, this says a lot not about the Republican party being crazy, because I don't think they all are, but more about the nature of politics worldwide and how conservative parties rally their base. Whether they are Christian or Muslim or Hindi or Jewish, it's all the same. And don't worry, this is not a conservative-bashing post--liberals have their own means of rallying the base--"Big business is coming for us! Fox News!"
The article in which the official is quoted is worth reading in its entirety. At the American Chamber here, I am actually working on these delegations mentioned in the article. Last week, AmCham hosted Robert Hormats, who spoke with a group of businessmen (mostly men) and emphasized the need to create inclusive growth to ensure the foundation of a democratic Egyptian state with opportunities for all.
Next week, we will host a HUGE US government and business delegation, with over 117 business men and officials and nearly 50 companies represented to emphasize commitment to the development of Egypt's private sector in the weeks and months ahead. They are aiming to signal that Egypt is "open for business" and push for changes to Egypt's business environment to make the Middle Eastern country more amenable for investment.
Additionally, the US government is moving forward with plans to issue nearly $1 billion in debt forgiveness, extending a $250 million loan guarantee to Egypt through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). There is also discussion about a US-Egyptian Enterprise Fund, based on successful programs established in Central and Eastern Europe following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to develop small and medium enterprises. $60 million has been set aside for this project, and the Administration is working to secure more.
Sounds great! But I know all of this will open up rumors to the United States being in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood. And I hear it a lot--that the US supported the MB from the beginning. Which is crap--the US just supported the legitimate winners of the election. They did not shut out the MB and instead chose to keep dialogue open. This is a huge change from how the US dealt with the group previously. But in terms of the election, no, the process was not perfect. But Shafiq lost and the liberals were unable to mobilize.
I'm apparently not the only person who thinks that way. To me, this says a lot not about the Republican party being crazy, because I don't think they all are, but more about the nature of politics worldwide and how conservative parties rally their base. Whether they are Christian or Muslim or Hindi or Jewish, it's all the same. And don't worry, this is not a conservative-bashing post--liberals have their own means of rallying the base--"Big business is coming for us! Fox News!"
The article in which the official is quoted is worth reading in its entirety. At the American Chamber here, I am actually working on these delegations mentioned in the article. Last week, AmCham hosted Robert Hormats, who spoke with a group of businessmen (mostly men) and emphasized the need to create inclusive growth to ensure the foundation of a democratic Egyptian state with opportunities for all.
Next week, we will host a HUGE US government and business delegation, with over 117 business men and officials and nearly 50 companies represented to emphasize commitment to the development of Egypt's private sector in the weeks and months ahead. They are aiming to signal that Egypt is "open for business" and push for changes to Egypt's business environment to make the Middle Eastern country more amenable for investment.
Additionally, the US government is moving forward with plans to issue nearly $1 billion in debt forgiveness, extending a $250 million loan guarantee to Egypt through the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). There is also discussion about a US-Egyptian Enterprise Fund, based on successful programs established in Central and Eastern Europe following the dissolution of the Soviet Union to develop small and medium enterprises. $60 million has been set aside for this project, and the Administration is working to secure more.
Sounds great! But I know all of this will open up rumors to the United States being in bed with the Muslim Brotherhood. And I hear it a lot--that the US supported the MB from the beginning. Which is crap--the US just supported the legitimate winners of the election. They did not shut out the MB and instead chose to keep dialogue open. This is a huge change from how the US dealt with the group previously. But in terms of the election, no, the process was not perfect. But Shafiq lost and the liberals were unable to mobilize.
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