Egypt: Political shift

The pro-democratic Arab Spring has benefitted many Arab nations and has led a new wave towards democracy in the region. This is evident from the first free presidential election and Muhammad Morsi Isa al-Ayyat’s victory in Egypt.This one election has far-reaching consequences which are poised to change not only the politics of Egypt but also the entire economic and geopolitical fabric of power beyond conventional imagination.

Morsi (who was born in Egypt) studied in an American University, thus, has a deep understanding about American policies and culture along while being well-rooted to the Islamic theology, economics and state. One should also not forget that the power-corridors within Egypt have always been more inclined towards Hamas in Gaza while being quite anti-Israel too. This has made Israel (and its ally, America) wary about steady progress of the new government of Egypt. However, the bigger blow came from Morsi just after winning the election when he said that he will ‘reconsider the Egypt-Israeli Peace Treaty’ and he will work on ‘re-establishing’ its relations with Iran to ‘create a strategic balance.’ At the same time, Iran has recognised Morsi and has also welcomed his victory.

This means that for the first time in history, the Shiite-dominated Iran will have a strengthened bonhomie with the Sunni-dominated Egypt and this growing political closeness of the two most influential powers in the Middle East could well be the biggest threat to Israel. Moreover, with American Jews losing their interest in the unending petty politics of the Middle East and with newer generations of American Jews not identifying significantly with the with the fanatic Jewish sentiments within Israel, the nation could well find itself isolated as never before.

However, the success of Morsi depends on a lot of factors. Morsi has got innumerable troubles and challenges ahead. The government doesn’t enjoy full confidence as Morsi managed a mere marginal victory against Ahmed Shafiq, Mubarak's aided candidate (who got 48 per cent of the votes). The military still holds major power. The economy is in trouble with an unemployment rate of 10.5 per cent and unbearable food price rise. And above all, the internal friction in his own party is growing by the day. However, amidst these, Morsi has promised to bring about an “Egyptian renaissance with an Islamic foundation." This is where Egypt stands on a crossroads, and this is where Morsi needs to decide the road he wants to take. For now, his choice seems to be against Israel and pro Iran.