**Novices may read less cards than what is listed but these are the advantages. You get the idea.

Plan: The United States Congress should substantially increase Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funding for Egypt and allow all Egyptian political parties to receive access to MEPI programs.

Advantage 1: the Brotherhood

First, The Muslim Brotherhood will win the November election
Saikal, Australian National University political science professor, August 11, 2011:
[Sydney Morning Herald, [Amin], p. , mrl]
“In Egypt, the balance of” and “dominance in Egyptian politics.”

Second, excluding the Muslim Brotherhood from participation in MEPI guarantees hostility against the US and Israel
Hamid, Brookings Institution, 2010:
[Democracy Journal, Winter, [Shadi, , jj]
“Meanwhile, the Middle East Partnership” and “when it will be too late.” 

Third, the US must engage the Brotherhood before they take power to ensure cooperation
Hamid, 2011
[Foreign Affairs, May/June, Vol. 90,  Iss. 3,  p. 40-47, “The Rise of the Islamists: How Islamists Will Change Politics, and Vice Versa” p. 40+proquest]
“ There is no question that” and “are already in power.”

Fourth, engagement ensures the Brotherhood doesn’t adopt anti-Israel or anti-American policies
Hamid, 2011:
[Foreign Affairs, May/June, Vol. 90,  Iss. 3,  p. 40-47, “The Rise of the Islamists: How Islamists Will Change Politics, and Vice Versa” p. 40+proquest]
“During the uprisings, the protesters” and  “it should, and could. “

Fifth, engagement reduces the risk of the Brotherhood providing support to Hamas and Hezbollah
Daily News Egypt, July 1, 2011, Analysis: US overtures to Egypt Islamists show pragmatism
“More official, and more” and “Political and Strategic Studies.’

The impact of an unengaged Brotherhood will be a Middle East war. A Brotherhood controlled Egypt will supply Hamas with weapons, causing war with Israel.
Byman, Brookings Institution, 2011:
[Wall Street Journal, February 4, [Daniel], p. ]
“But the Brotherhood” and “spiral out of control.”

And this causes rapid escalation. Hamas will be emboldened with increased Egyptian support to attack Israel.
Rudin, Global Research in International Affairs Center Director, 2011:
[Jerusalem Post, March 27, Barry, p. ]
“With better weapons,” and “more eager to do so.”

This draws in the entire region and goes nuclear.
Oren, Shalem Center fellow, 2008,
[Washington Post, The Next Middle East War, Just a Rocket Away, March 2, Michael, p. B4]
“It begins with a” and “a single Qassam away.” 

Advantage 2: US Credibility 

First, U.S. credibility in the Middle East is plummeting now
Zogby, pollster, 2011,  “America in Trouble in the Middle East: Obama Understands, But GOP Gloats”, Huffington Post, 7-16,[James], p.   ca-in-trouble-in-the_b_900649.html?ir=World)
“Well, the results” and “this year's survey.”

Second, increasing funding for the Middle East Partnership Initiative is key to reversing anti-Americanism among the Arab street
Dorsey, senior researcher at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute, 2011:
[“US Risks Missing Opportunity to Play Leading Role in Middle East Transition”, Al Arabiya News, 7-5,  [James], p. ]
“The ascendancy of” and “promote democratic change.”

Third, excluding Islamic parties from democracy assistance is a major cause of Muslim resentment against the US—it is perceived as an attempt to destroy Islam
Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, 2011;
[Why Muslims are still mad at America, September 9, [Stephen], p.
“Trying to understand” and “undermine Islam itself.”

Fourth, engagement with the Muslim Brotherhood is vital to reclaiming support of the Arab Street and solving for the perception that the US always favors Israel over Arabs
Traub, New York Times Magazine contributing writer, 2008:
[The Freedom Agenda: Why America must spread Democracy (Just not the way George Bush did), James, p. 189]
“The United States does”from local turf.”

Anti-Americanism facilitates the recruitment and funding for terrorism
Kull, director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes, 2011:
[Why Muslims are still mad at America, September 9, [Stephen], p.]

“On the ten-year” and “taking him out.”

Anti-Americanism increases the risk of WMD terrorism against the United States.
Leadership Group on U.S. Muslim Engagement, 2009, Changing Course: A New Direction for U.S. Relations with the Muslim World”, February, p.
“Improving relations with” and “thousands or more. “

Zawahiri’s  goal is the acquisition of a nuclear bomb – risk of al Qaeda nuclear attack is high
Kanani, Editor of World Affairs Commentary, 2011:
Forbes, June 29,  [Rahim], p
“We should be especially” and “detailed and deliberate”

Nuclear terrorist attack against the US will cause global nuclear war
Alyson, Centre for Strategic Studies, University of Wellington, 2010:
[Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, July, [Robert], p. 584]
“Washington’s early response” and “a devastating response.”

And Mueller is wrong in dismissing the risk of nuclear terrorism as a 1 in one million risk
Zimmerman, Dept of War Studies, King’s College, 2009, Defence Against Terrorism Review, Fall,  [Peter], p. 4-5
“Mueller chooses another set “ and “by a gruesome death.”

Plan Text: The United States federal government should substantially increase its party development to Turkey for the Syrian National Council.

Advantage One is Civil War

The Assad regime will eventually collapse – the only question is when, delaying US action solidifies the risk of civil war, US influence now creates the soft landing necessary for successful regime change 

Boot, December 5 2011: Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Senior Fellow for National Security Studies, December 5, 2011 [Max, “Assad Must Go,” http://www.cfr.org/syria/assad-must-go/p26706] SM

“The "realist" case for” and “we would otherwise lack”

We’ll isolate two scenarios

First, full blown civil war in Syria will enflame the entire region – instability will spillover inciting increased violence in other Middle Eastern countries that face sectarian divides

Yacoubian, 2011,  senior program officer for the Middle East at the U.S. Institute of Peace, October 5, 2011 [Mona “Saving Syria from civil war,”

http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/10/05/saving_syria_from_civil_war] SM

“As Syria's uprising lurches” and “avoid widespread chaos”

Second is Iran, Syria represents a golden opportunity to derail Iran’s regional hegemony – US acting in tandem with Turkey is critical to engineer this outcome – now is the key time

Ben-Meir, 2011:, prof of IR @ NYU, November 28, 2011 [Alon, “Keystone Influence: Syria’s Arab Spring and The Race for Regional Hegemony,” http://www.iranian.com/main/2011/nov/assads-iranian-shadow- The Iranian] SM

“In spite of their” and “such an outcome?”

An unchecked Iran will serve as a catalyst for nuclear war

Ben-Meir, 2007: prof of IR @ NYU, February 6, 2007 [Alon, “Realpolitik: Ending Iran’s Defiance,”

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2007/02/06/Realpolitik-Ending-Irans-defiance/UPI-69491170778058/] SM

“Feeling emboldened and” and “its nuclear program.”

U.S. aid through Turkey is key to unifying the Syrian National Council and enabling them to oust Assad

Ben-Meir, November 28, 2011: prof of IR @ NYU, November 28, 2011 [Alon, “Assad's Iranian Shadow - Future of Iran-led "resistance block" in jeopardy,” http://www.iranian.com/main/2011/nov/assads-iranian-shadow- The Iranian]

“The United States and the” and “involve Iran and Israel.”

Political organizational support for the SNC is key to lead to a transition of power devoid of civil war

Maalouf & Torbey, December 16, 2011, oversaw programs on democracy promotion for Freedom House, & Torbey, international lawyer and PhD candidate, 15 yrs+ experience in Contemporary Middle East Studies, December 16, 2011 [Marwan and Khattar, “Breaking the Stalemate in Syria,” http://pomed.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/POMED-Policy-Brief_Maalouf.pdf - POMED] SM

“The situation in Syria has” and “bloodshed and humanitarian crisis.”

And, US-Turkey collaboration is vital, given Turkey’s lack of expertise in party building

Ülgen, 2011, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe in Brussels, December 2011, [Sinan, “From Inspiration to Aspiration – Turkey in the New Middle East,” Carnegie Foundation for International Peace – Carnegie Europe] SM

“In reply, Erdogan said that” and “the Tunisian Islamists.”

Advantage Two is U.S.-Turkey Relations

Although US-Turkey relations have improved, deeper engagement and cooperation is key to sustaining the long-term relationship

Kanat, Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), December 25, 2011, [Kilic Bugra Sunday’s Zaman, http://www.sundayszaman.com/sunday/newsDetail_getNewsById.action?newsId=266628] JK

“With major changes facing” and “other geographical regions.”

And, unilateralism by Turkey in its dealings with the Arab Spring will harm US-Turkey relations—joint democracy assistance is key to sustaining cooperation

Ülgen, December 2011, visiting scholar at Carnegie Europe in Brussels, December 2011, [Sinan, “From Inspiration to Aspiration – Turkey in the New Middle East,” Carnegie Foundation for International Peace – Carnegie Europe] SM

“The transformation of Turkey” and “lasting success story.”

Relations solve Middle East stability, terrorism, oil conflicts, and free trade, Iraq, Russia Oil dependence

Menon & Wimbush, 2007,  Monroe J. Rathbone prof of IR, Lehigh University Fellow, New America Foundation and Wimbush, Director, Center for Future Security Strategies, Hudson Institute, March 2007 [Rajan and S. Enders, Hudson Institute: “Is the United States Losing Turkey?” http://www.hudson.org/files/pdf_upload/Turkey%20PDF.pdf] SM

“If Turkey, a key friend” and “Turkey’s other neighbors.”

Central Asian oil conflicts leads to regional arms races that escalate into great power wars

Klare, 2008, professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, 2008 [Michael, “The rise of the new energy world order,” http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/JD17Dj04.html] SM

“Nevertheless, the major” and “its global distribution.”

Turkey supports collaborative democracy assistance toward Syria—they will say yes to the plan

Ignatius, December 7, 2011, staff writer for the Washington Post, December 7, 2011 [David, “U.S. and Turkey Find a Relationship that Works,” http://www.washingtonpost.com/david-ignatius/2011/02/17/ABXXcOJ_page.html] SM

“If you’re looking for factors” and “aimed chiefly at Iran.”

And, Syria is a key test case for US-Turkey cooperation

Barkey, 2011, Lehigh University professor of international relations, April 26, 2011, [Henri, Turkey and the Arab Spring, p. http://www.carnegieendowment.org/2011/04/26/turkey-and-arab-spring/2s3

“And at the same time,” and “although certainly messy.”

Collaborative democracy assistance will bolster US-Turkey relations

Kirisci, 2011, prof of PolySci @ Boğaziçi University, 2011, [Kemal, Insight Turkey, vol 13,  no. 2, [], p. 50 ] JK

“The craving for reform” and “develop a common strategy.”