Elizabeth Iskander is a research fellow in International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Studies from the University of Cambridge. Her research focuses on conflict resolution, politics and religion in the Middle East, with an emphasis on Egypt.
The announcement by Egypt's foreign minister on April 5 that Egypt is prepared to reinstate full diplomatic relations with Iran comes at a strange juncture. With popular protests still ongoing, Egypt's domestic political scene has yet to find its feet. So why, in the midst of domestic uncertainty, has the transitional government chosen to tackle one of its most complex foreign policy conundrums -- namely, Iran? more
Despite Egypt's deep-seated economic, social and political difficulties, the strength and length of the protests seen across the country over the past three days seem to have taken the police, and the Egyptian people themselves, by surprise. But these protests have not appeared out of nowhere. To the contrary, there have been successive rounds of protests that have continued throughout the past couple of years. more
Relations between Iran and Egypt have been strained -- if not outright hostile -- since the Islamic revolution of 1979. While both sides have made efforts to improve ties, recent developments point to new spheres of conflict in the protracted tug of war between these two regional giants. And Iran's recent efforts to promote ties in Africa suggest that this rivalry now extends beyond the Middle East. more
Since his return to Egypt and dramatic entry into the Egyptian political spotlight, Mohamed ElBaradei has attracted support from various political blocs, who tout the former head of the IAEA as a hero. However, the enthusiasm with which many Egyptians have joined his campaign is based largely on frustration and a desire for social and political change, rather than actual support for ElBaradei himself. more
The diplomatic effort to contain Iran's nuclear program needs to be led by a truly international coalition, not just an American or Western one. The focus should be on altering the terms of the debate that currently allow Iran to benefit from external pressure, using it to further entrench and justify its defiant stance. In order to do so, the Arab world must become publicly engaged in achieving a solution. more
The Iranian opposition movement that returned to the streets yesterday is no longer driven by electoral loyalties, but by a rejection of the "election coup" that concentrated power in a small and radical faction of the Iranian political elite. Behind that faction is the ideology of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's spiritual guide, hard-line cleric Ayatollah Mohamed Yazdi, who seeks to install a pure theocracy.
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Although Mir Hossein Moussavi is the visible face of the Iranian opposition, the Green Revolution remains undirected, transforming itself accordingto events. That the movement marches on, wounded but not defeated, suggests thatall is not lost and that much remains worth salvaging. The time to actis now, though, if the West wants it to escapebecoming another "what if" event of history. more