Egypt in the 21st Century
Ikhwan Scope | Aug 03, 2010 | Comments 0
Bruce Rutherford
Egypt: a brief history!
• “As Egypt goes, so go the Arabs”
• Intellectual & cultural center of Arab world
• Birth place of modern Arab na8onalism
• Largest Arab popula8on (80+ million)
• Largest army in Arab world
• Second largest economy in Arab world
• Advantageous geographical loca8on ( Suez Canal,
Nile, Mediterranean, etc.)
• Educa8onal, poli8cal, cultural, etc. influence over
the Arab world
• 1952 dissa8sfied Army Officers overthrew King Farouk
(Bri8sh Installed & supported)
• Gamal Abdel Nasser (President 1956‐1970)
– Charisma8c leader
– Champion of Arab na8onalism & Arab Socialism
– Suppressed all poli8cal opposi8ons (including the Muslim
Brotherhood)
– Kept a 8ght control on the economy and poli8cal life
(na8onalized most private businesses)
– 1967 war with Israel
– Economy went from bad to worse under Nasser
– Now, Nasser is a cult figure through the Arab world &
Africa
Filed Under: Egypt • Featured • Muslim Brotherhood • Studies & Researches
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