Egypt: Resource Round-Up

(With so many excellent resources for learning about the Egyptian uprising, I have decided to present some of these in a round-up format).
　
Facebook Page: Wael Ghoneim
http://www.facebook.com/Authorize.Ghoneim
　
Wael Ghoneim, the Google executive arrested and held for twelve days, until released on Monday (February 7), gave an emotional interview on a private Egyptian TV channel that has re-energized the protests in Tahrir Square and throughout Egypt. His role in instigating the protests–as adminstrator of the Facebook page called We are all Khaled Said–is now clear and he is a hero in the hearts of the protesters.  See HistoryLynx post (Feb 4): The Social Media 'Hook.'

Read about Wael Ghoneim in today’s NYT: Kareem Fahim and Mona El-Naggar, "Emotions of a Reluctant Hero Galvanize Anti-Mubarak Demonstrators" (published online 2-8-11). The NYT spelling is "Ghonim." Go to http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/09/world/middleeast/09ghonim.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=fahim%20emotions%20reluctant%20hero&st=cse

Wael Ghoneim is now posting on his Facebook Wall in Arabic. Most comments are in Arabic (including transliterated text by posters’ whose cellphones are not loaded with Arabic script). A few comments are in English. Show this page to expose students to Arabic (if they are unfamiliar with the script). 
　
Al-Masry Al-Youm 
http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en　

For the latest news from an Egyptian perspective, go to Al-Masry Al-Youm, English Edition. Since 2003 this independent Egyptian organization has worked to produce "independent and balanced journalism within the framework of the highest professional standards." In June 2004 it began publishing a daily newspaper in Arabic that is now widely considered one of Egypt’s best independent papers. Some items online in English have been translated from the Arabic Edition.

You can access lists of top stories, features, and interviews. There are videos, photos, staff blogs, and more.

Liberty4Egypt
http://libertyforegypt.blogspot.com

A new blog that began on January 26, with this post: "To the People of Egypt." It includes an important document, "Statement Issued by the Faculty of Law at Cairo University" (scan of the Arabic text, followed by English translation).

There is a post compiling tweets posted by the blogger on January 29 (arranged from last to first–so read them backwards). Consider distributing these to students to see what they can make of them.

ALL these posts are primary sources in one sense or another. The blogger is in Egypt but does not reveal his/her identity (we can assume for security reasons).

Foreign Policy
http://www.foreignpolicy.com

This American foreign affairs magazine is providing news and analysis about Egypt and the Mideast online in a section called REVOLUTION IN THE ARAB WORLD.

To go directly to the "Cairo Dispatch" list (begins February 1):
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/category/topic/cairo_dispatch

FP’s "Days of Rage" is a large slideshow (119 photos on February 9) that begins with the most recent pictures. The last/oldest photo in the series, apparently taken on January 25, Day 1 of the protests, carries a now partly ironic, partly true, caption: "Life in Cairo may soon return to normal, but the memory of today's protests is likely to last." Access from the "Popular Articles" list or click on "Latest Scenes from Egypt":
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/01/25/day_of_rage

For regional coverage go the FP’s "Middle Eastern Channel":
http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/

A FP article of special interest to World History instructors (posted on the APWH listserv) is David Bell, "Why We Can’t Rule Out an Egyptian Reign of Terror" (February 7, 2011). Bell presents a typology of revolutions, contrasting 1688 and 1789. Be sure to sample the comments--as many are critical of Bell’s rather rigid comparison of events in very different contexts. Taken together, Bell’s ideas and the comments raise important issues about historical process. Access from the FP home page or "Popular Articles" list or go directly to:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/07/why_we_cant_rule_out_an_egyptian_reign_of_terror

Another article worth reading is Hugh Miles, "The Al Jazeera Effect" (February 9, 2011). Access from "Popular Articles" or go directly to:
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/02/08/the_al_jazeera_effect

For more articles pass cursor over "Latest Articles" in the menu across the top of the page and select relevant items.

Foreign Policy Research Institute

The Footnotes section of the web site is especially for teachers. Some articles contain links (at the end) to the E-Notes section (so look for these). For a list of articles go to directly to: http://www.fpri.org/footnotes

Two articles provide background on Egypt’s relationship with the U.S., including recent history since the 1952 coup that brought Gamal Abdul Nasser to power. Access Kuehner from the list and then Kurtzer from the end of the Kuehner piece (or copy and paste URLs).

1) Trudy J. Kuehner (reporter), "The U.S. and Egypt Since the Suez Crisis," Footnotes (July 2009): http://www.fpri.org/footnotes/1423.200907.kuehner.usegyptsincesuez.html

2) Daniel C. Kurtzer, "Where Is Egypt Headed," E-Notes (December 2008) at
http://www.fpri.org/enotes/200811.kurtzer.egyptheaded.html

These are both quite readable (especially the first one) so that high school students could read and discuss them. A possible assignment: draw up a timeline of Egyptian history from July 1952 to January 25, 2011.

Thanks to the "History Bobcat" for posting the FPRI list on the APWH listserv. This merits further exploration.