Egypt: «The Arab Spring» 10 years later - reasons and consequences

On February 9, 2021, the School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University, together with the Russian Middle East Association within the framework of the permanent online seminar «Contemporary area studies», organized the first meeting dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Arab Spring with a interpreter, journalist and lecturer of the School of Asian studies of the of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University Rami El-Kalyubi. The topic of the meeting was: «Egypt: «The Arab Spring» 10 years later - reasons and consequences».

The seminar was moderated by Professor Andrey Baklanov - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation, First Class State Advisor of the Russian Federation, Head of the Section for Middle East and North African Studies, School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University. 

At the beginning of the meeting, all the participants and the speaker of the event were greeted by Dr. Vera Vishnyakova, Head of the School of International Regional Studies of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs, HSE University. 

Rami El-Kalyubi in his speech stressed that the revolutionary events in Egypt occurred not at all suddenly. The retrospect of the historical development covered the period from 2004 to 2013. 

Firstly, the expert highlighted a number of socio-economic, political and external factors that have shattered the state. Among the key issues Rami El-Kalyubi mentioned  the merger of government and business power, that has obviously increased the level of corruption. Moreover, the speaker noted wealth divide, worker’s strikes and also prevention of the oppositions to the election in 2010. Social networks development in the aggregate with Tunisia’s process ultimately made Egypt one of the participants of «The Arab Spring». 

The special attention has been given to the consequences of «The Arab Spring». Tourism, as our speaker has pointed out, was damaged more than other spheres. Rami El-Kalyubi shared his experience and said that in 2013 the majority of hotels in Egypt were empty. Then happened the foreign investment flight. Among the political issues the experts stressed the polarization of society, high population’s expectations. Furthermore, there is a crucial question about army’s role and its influence in Egypt. 

With clean sweep Mohamed Morsi, who has won the election with slim lead external policy has changed. The new President takes a ply on the reorientation of Egypt to the Islamic world. The outcome of this policy were the restoration of some relation between Iran and Egypt. Moreover, connections with Syria were broken off. Relations with Russian Federation became nose-dived. Morsi was accepted in Sochi by the mayor. Egyptian’s mass media actively wrote that State’s station in the global stage has deteriorated according to Morsi’s policy. 

Rami El-Kalyubi highlighted that at present stage it seems early to make any conclusions. From expert’s view, approximately in 10 years it will be possible. 

Participants of the seminar intensively discussed the question about Russia’s drought in 2010 and its impact on Egyptian food prices. The solemnity of this issue for Egypt also mentioned special guest Mikhail Orlov - Chairman of the Russian-Egyptian Business Council at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation. The experts noticed that for the present group of Sisi’s ministers are doing good job. It can be illustrated by new projects where Egypt is taking part. 

For video, please follow the link:https://youtu.be/b_flVZBU9XM