18 American Scholars Support a Moral U.S. Policy toward Egypt

“We the signatories of this statement are scholars and public policy analysts concerned about the implications of the ongoing upheaval in Egypt for the future of U.S. (and Western) relations with the Muslim world. We applaud the decisions the American and European governments made yesterday (February 2, 2011) to side with the Egyptian people in the face of what seems to be planned violence and scare tactics by the failing Mubarak regime. History will credit the Western powers for siding with the values of democracy and human rights in a world-historical moment, despite the caution that might have been called for due to uncertainties about the future of the political system in Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab world. Clearly, Western leaders have decided to read the events accurately and place themselves on the correct side of the future. This principled position combining realpolitik with the best of American ideals is truly path-breaking. While much of the cause of freedom in the Arab world is being written by the bravery and blood of the courageous Egyptian people, we know that history will record that February 2, 2011 was a turning point in relations between the West and the Islamic world.”

Signatories

Mohamed Nimer, Assistant Professor,School of International Service, American University
Antony T. Sullivan,Associate Professor, Center for Middle Eastern and North African Studies, University of Michigan
Judith Shapiro,Director, NRSD Program, American University
Gary Weaver, Professor School of International Service, American University
Boaz Atzili, Assistant Professor,School of International Service, American University
Jeni Sall, President, Genesis Research Associates Inc.
Easten Law, Instructor, Washington Mentorship Program, American University
Emad Shahin, Associate Professor, Conflict and Peacebuilding, University of Notre Dame
Margaret E. Smith, Scholar-in-Residence, School of International Service, American University
Eve Bratman, Assistant Professor, School of International Service American University
Carl LeVan, Assistant Professor, School of International Service American University
John P. Entelis, Professor, Middle East Studies Program, Fordham University
Julie A. Mertus, Professor, School of International Service, American University
Wanda Wigfall-Williams, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University
Mohamed Abu-Nimer, Professor, School of International Service, American University
Claudia E. Anyaso, Adjunct Professor, Washington Semester, American University
Robert A. Pastor, Professor, School of International Service, American University
Anthony Wanis-St. John, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University