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News and Views

Commentary from experts on the directions and challenges of democracy assistance programs.


March 3, 2012	Egypt’s small concession The Washington Post The editorial board at the Post writes that poor relations between the U.S. and Egypt have lessened after Egypt lifted the travel ban on American citizens working for nongovernmental organizations, but the editorial board adds that the release of foreigners set off an anti-American backlash that might end up doing more harm. The editorial board says that Egypt's military generals think allowing the foreigners to leave is enough to secure continuing U.S. aid, but the Obama administration should use the aid as leverage to see Egypt's democratic transition through. "In isolation, the release of the Americans and other foreigners will reinforce nationalist sentiment and conspiracy theories while endangering the Egyptian individuals and groups left behind. The only proper resolution is for the government to register the NGOs, notify prosecutors that it will no longer cooperate with the prosecution, and modify the defective law." Read More
February 24, 2012	U.S.-Egypt alliance put to the test The Washington Post The Washington Post Editorial Board writes that, in light of the Egyptian attacks on nongovernmental organizations, including NDI, suspension of U.S. assistance to Egypt could provide the two countries an opportunity to "start fresh" and discuss how much aid and support would most benefit Egypt's democratic development. "But it seems equally likely that the military is using the case to fortify its position as it fights to preserve power over the democratic government that is supposed to take over by mid-year. The state-run media are using the prosecutions to whip up nationalist and anti-American sentiment, based on ludicrous charges that organizations such as the National Democratic Institute, Freedom House and International Republican Institute are plotting to overthrow the government and partition the country." Read More
February 21, 2012	Egypt’s Step Backward The New York Times The New York Times' Thomas Friedman writes that it is a disturbing sign and a hint that Egypt's revolution is "incomplete" that democracy promotion groups are being threatened with jail time. "What is this really about?" Friedman asks, citing poverty and illiteracy rates as a much greater concern to Egypt than "Western democracy consultants." "Egyptians deserve better than this crowd, which is squandering Egypt’s dwindling resources at a critical time and diverting attention from the real challenge facing the country: giving Egypt’s young people what they so clearly hunger for — a real voice in their own future and the educational tools they need to succeed in the modern world." Read More
February 15, 2012	Egypt's cold shoulder The Los Angeles Times David Schenker, director of the program on Arab politics at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, writes that Egypt's "legal assualt" on U.S. nongovernmental organizations (including NDI) is a symptom of Egypt's political leaders embracing anti-Americanism. Schenker writes that the "ill-advised campaign against the American NGOs" is a symptom of a bilateral dynamic that is sure to see another crisis. "But instead of concentrating on security and economics, in a classic case of Nero fiddling while Rome burns, the civilian government appointed by SCAF is focused on trying the American staff of U.S.-funded NGOs that promote democracy. The allegations against them are a politically driven and incendiary distraction, unmistakably conceived by the SCAF-appointed minister of planning and international cooperation, Fayza Mohamed Aboulnaga, who has emerged as a symbol of the new populist politics of post-revolution Egypt." Read More
February 12, 2012	Egypt’s Unwise Course The New York Times The New York Times writes that the Egyptian government's attack on civil society groups is unwise and that hopefully the Egyptian government will find a way to move on and put the "damaging" incident behind them. Despite warnings that U.S. aid to Egypt will end, the Times writes that Egyptian officials say the case against NGOs, including NDI, will not be influenced by any such decision. The editorial states that Egypt "unquestionably" needs such aid. "Alienating powerful countries like the United States, creating an environment in which groups that help build durable democratic institutions cannot operate and intimidating Egyptian civil society are a recipe for disaster." Read More
February 10, 2012	Egypt must drop charges against U.S., Egyptian democracy workers The Boston Globe This Boston Globe editorial writes that Mubarak regime holdovers are responsible for the "bogus" claim and charges against American democracy promotion groups, including NDI. The editorial says that the Egyptian military's targeting of Americans sends a signal that they believe the U.S. needs Egypt more than Egypt needs the U.S., thus foreign aid to the country will not end. The editorial calls on U.S. government bodies to "make it clear to Egypt how costly its current course of action could be for all involved." "The Egyptian military should reconsider its course, not for the sake of the United States, but for the sake of Egypt, which cannot develop a functional democracy without a civil society." Read More
February 9, 2012	Egypt’s ominous detention of Americans The Washington Post This editorial, written by the Washington Post's Michael Gerson, attempts to parse through recent events in Egypt, searching for an explanation of the Egyptian government's actions against democracy promotion organizations - including NDI - and a possible plan of action by the American government. "One proposed explanation for these events — pinning the blame on the Arab Spring — is certainly wrong. In fact, we are seeing the rage of a retreating elite." Read More
February 7, 2012	Egypt's Raids Against Democracy The Huffington Post Asma Ghribi, a journalist in Tunisia and a recent participant of an International Republican Institute fellowship that brought emerging leaders from Tunisia and Egypt together in Washington, D.C. to learn about democratic processes, writes that the Egyptian government's actions toward democracy promotion groups suggests a "frightening turn." "The attacks on these organizations are truly unfortunate for the Egyptian people. These NGOs have strong reputations for respecting the sovereignty and government of the countries they operate in -- their main objectives to foster democracy, promote human rights and individual liberties." Read More
January 31, 2012	Egypt’s witch hunt threatens a rupture with the U.S. The Washington Post In light of recent Egyptian government persecution against Americans, including NDI employees, working at pro-democracy organizations in Egypt, the Washington Post's editorial board writes that Egyptian military officials must be diassuaded that U.S. military aid is "inviolate." The board writes that the Egyptian military delegation currently in Washington, D.C., for to discuss security cooperation is behaving as if the situation is "business-as-usual." "Preserving the alliance with Egypt, and maintaining good relations with its military, is an important U.S. interest. But the Obama administration must be prepared to take an uncompromising stand. If the campaign against U.S., European and Egyptian NGOs is not ended, military aid must be suspended." Read More
January 27, 2012	Egypt’s Assault on Civil Society The New York Times This New York Times editorial calls on Egypt's government to immediately lift the travel ban placed on numerous employees of democracy building groups working in Egypt, including NDI and its counterpart, the International Republican Institute. "Post-Mubarak Egypt is facing profound challenges with its unfinished revolution and looming economic crisis. The last thing it needs is to pick a fight with the United States. Yet the military rulers have done just that, demonstrating contempt for civil society and an old ally." Read More