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.”
