National Press Club to Host "NEWSMAKER" Media Briefing: Will Egypt's Hopes for Democracy Survive?

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The world is looking on as Egypt's democratic transition appears to be unraveling. Once again, Egypt is in the midst of protests and turmoil, with violence and bloodshed even greater than during the 2011 uprising. That uprising brought an end to Hosni Mubarak's 30 year reign as president and offered hope that his authoritarian rule would give way to democracy. But with Egypt's democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, ousted by the military following mass protests against him, unelected leaders have once again taken control. With the violence that has since been used by both the military and supporters of the deposed Muslim Brotherhood, recent events raise serious concerns as to whether democracy in Egypt can survive.

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What can observers expect to happen in Egypt next? Is there a foreseeable end to the current crisis? Can the U.S. help, and if so, how? Can the Egyptian military maintain control as interim leaders reformulate and hold new elections? And what role will the Muslim Brotherhood play in Egypt's future? President Obama recently announced the cancellation of the upcoming biannual joint military exercise.  What other consequences might recent developments have on the U.S.-Egypt relationship, including U.S. foreign assistance to Egypt? 

A panel of experts in Middle East policy will appear at the National Press Club to answer these questions and discuss other important issues about Egypt's future, including how U.S. involvement may impact both Egypt and the U.S. The panel includes:

• Stephen McInerney, Executive Director of Project on Middle East Democracies

• Michele Dunne, Director, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council
  
• Tamara Cofman Wittes, Senior Fellow and Director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution

This National Press Club Newsmakers conference is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 27, 2013 in the Club's Zenger Room on the 14th Floor of the National Press Building, 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC, 20045.

CONTACT:
Monica Coleman, NPC Newsmaker Event Host
202-423-3150, mcoleman@insidecapitolhill.net

SOURCE National Press Club