This book introduces non-specialists to Egypt, a pivotal country in the Middle East whose future is critical to the region's stability and prosperity. It addresses the key events and themes needed to understand this fascinating country, including history, geography, religion, economy, society, foreign policy, and the 2011 uprising.

• Preface: Why Study Egypt?


• 1 The Uprising of 2011 and Its Aftermath


• 2 The Rise of Modern Egypt


• 3 Building a New Regime: Nasser, Sadat, and Mubarak


• 4 Economic Development and Human Welfare


• 5 Environment, Natural Resources, and Quality of Life


• 6 Religion


• 7 Foreign Affairs


• 8 Prospects and Challenges for the Future

Bruce K. Rutherford is associate professor of political science at Colgate University. He is the author of Egypt after Mubarak: Liberalism, Islam, and Democracy in the Arab World as well as several articles on Egyptian politics. His research has been supported by fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the American Research Center in Egypt, and the Yale Center for International and Area Studies.
Jeannie Sowers is Associate Professor of Political Science and Chair of the International Affairs Program at the University of New Hampshire. She is the author of Environmental Politics in Egypt: Experts, Activists, and the State and co-editor with Chris Toensing of The Journey to Tahrir: Revolution, Protest, and Social Change in Egypt. Sowers holds a Ph.D. and M.A. from Princeton University and a B.A. from Harvard University. She has held postdoctoral appointments at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University; the Center for Middle East Studies, Harvard University; and St. Antony's College, Center for Middle East Studies, Oxford University.