Papers by Khalil al-Anani
Oxford University Press, 2016
How should we study Islamism? This perennial question has overshadowed the realm of Islamist poli... more How should we study Islamism? This perennial question has overshadowed the realm of Islamist politics in recent decades. Despite the burgeoning literature on Islamist movements, agreement among scholars over terminology, classification, and analytical framework has proven elusive.1 In fact it appears that as more literature is produced, less agreement among scholars is reached. This irony is due to many factors; among them is the multifaceted character of Islamism, which requires a significant amount of effort to accurately understand it and an interdisciplinary approach to explain its changing behavior and tactics. Such an approach should combine disciplines such as sociology, social psychology, and the study of social movements in order to comprehensively and compellingly capture changes in Islamists’ ideology, discourse, behavior, and strategy over time.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Orient
Egypt’s political Salafism emerged after the January 25th uprising of 2011. Benefiting from the p... more Egypt’s political Salafism emerged after the January 25th uprising of 2011. Benefiting from the political openness that followed the fall of the Mubarak regime, Salafi groups sought to advance their religious and ideological agenda through politics. Despite the fact that they prohibited politics before the uprising, deeming it as profane, most Salafis rushed into political arena after the uprising in order to enhance their political clout and to remain relevant to their constituency. Salafi groups also utilized their social networks and mosques to increase their political gains and presence. Not surprisingly, they achieved stunning results in the first parliamentary
elections after the uprising.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Responses of Islamist movements to the fast-changing local, regional, and global environment afte... more Responses of Islamist movements to the fast-changing local, regional, and global environment after the Arab Spring have varied greatly. While some movements adapted and made significant changes in their discourse, organizational structure, and strategy, others struggled to adopt short-sighted plans and change tactics to cope with the new environment. Moreover, while some Islamists maintained internal coherence and unity, others witnessed significant divisions and splits. Some movements fractured, creating ideological and political divisions that affected their role and activism.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
آفاق الإسلام السياسي, 2023
قبل ثمانين عاما وضع مؤسس جماعة الإخوان ومنظرها الأول الإمام حسن البنا ثلاثة مراحل مهمة لتحقيق أهد... more قبل ثمانين عاما وضع مؤسس جماعة الإخوان ومنظرها الأول الإمام حسن البنا ثلاثة مراحل مهمة لتحقيق أهداف الجماعة: مرحلة الدعاية والتبشير بالفكرة، ومرحلة التكوين واختيار الأنصار والأعضاء، ومرحلة التنفيذ والعمل والإنتاج . وعلى مدار العقود الثلاثة الماضية نجحت الجماعة فى إنجاز المرحلتين الأوليين بشكل واضح حيث انتشرت أفكار البنا وجماعته إلى خارج حدود مصر وتجاوز عدد أعضاء الجماعة وفروعها مئات الآلاف فى العالمين العربي والإسلامي وكذلك أوروبا وأميركا. أما المرحلة الثالثة فقد بدأت وانتهت سريعا مع تولي الرئيس محمد مرسي للسلطة في يونيو 2013 قبل أن تتم الإطاحة به في انقلاب الثالث من يوليو 2013. وقد كانت الإيديولوجيا حاضرة بقوة فى المرحلتين الأوليين، وكان من المفترض أن يقل حضورها خلال المرحلة الثالثة وهي مرحلة العمل والتنفيذ والإنتاج ولكن ما حدث هو العكس حيث طغى على الإخوان وهم فى السلطة كثير من أدائهم وحركتهم وهم فى المعارضة.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2023
The relationship between Egypt and China has experienced significant growth in recent years, char... more The relationship between Egypt and China has experienced significant growth in recent years, characterized by the rapid development of economic, trade, military, and cultural ties. Egypt occupies a strategic position within the BRI, which has the potential to push bilateral relations to new heights.However, the partnership between Egypt and China also entails several implications for Egypt’s relations with the United States, which has been a major ally of the country for decades. While Egypt seeks to benefit from competition between China and the US, failing to maintain a balance in its relations with these two global powers could create long-term challenges. In this regard, it is important for Egypt to carefully consider the opportunities and risks that stem from its partnership with China and to adopt a balanced approach in its relations with both China and the United States.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2020
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2020
Egypt has been fighting terrorism and an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula for the past decade an... more Egypt has been fighting terrorism and an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula for the past decade and a half with no sign of a decisive victory. Although the Egyptian military has conducted several military operations against radicals and extremists, it has not been able to eliminate or defeat them. Egypt’s counterterrorism strategy, particularly in Sinai, is flawed and counterproductive. Instead of eliminating and rooting out terrorism, it has created fertile ground for radical and militant groups to thrive, recruit new members, and intensify their attacks against the Egyptian military and security forces as well as civilians. This has led to the loss of thousands of lives and created instability in Sinai.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2020
Like other authoritarian regimes around the globe, the government in Egypt is exploiting the COVI... more Like other authoritarian regimes around the globe, the government in Egypt is exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the guise of fighting the coronavirus, it is cracking down on critics and imposing more restrictions on personal freedoms. Egypt’s repressive regime, led by General Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, has taken several political measures over the last two months ostensibly to control the outbreak of the disease. These actions will have a long-term impact on Egypt’s political life that goes beyond the coronavirus crisis. Externally, Sisi is employing the pandemic as a way to score political points and improve his regime’s image on the international stage. Since the global outbreak of COVID-19, Egypt has dispatched medical shipments to a number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and Italy. The irony of sending these supplies out of the country while Egypt itself is grappling with fighting the coronavirus is striking. In fact, Egypt’s politicization and exploitation of the coronavirus pandemic cannot be overlooked and should be examined closely.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2020
While the world is overwhelmed by the crisis of COVID-19 and its ramifications, the civil war in ... more While the world is overwhelmed by the crisis of COVID-19 and its ramifications, the civil war in Libya has escalated over the past few weeks. The operation launched in April 2019 by General Khalifa Haftar, the leader of the self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA), to seize Tripoli from the United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has intensified. Importantly, the domestic, regional, and international players involved in the Libyan conflict have not only failed to put an end to the ongoing war but they also are actively prolonging it.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Perspectives on Politics, 2023
The literature on Islamism is extensive, and there are a plethora of studies that have been condu... more The literature on Islamism is extensive, and there are a plethora of studies that have been conducted in this field over the past couple of decades. However, among these studies, there are a select few that stand out for their substantial contributions to the field. One such work is Jerome Drevon’s new book, Institutionalizing Violence: Strategies of Jihad in Egypt. Drevon offers a comprehensive examination of the origins of Salafi jihadism in Egypt, through a thorough and rigorous approach that is grounded in extensive field research. His analysis is both insightful and thought-provoking, making it a valuable addition to the field of Islamism studies and political science more broadly.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2023
Egypt and Iran appear to be moving toward a closer relationship and a mending of ties. In recent ... more Egypt and Iran appear to be moving toward a closer relationship and a mending of ties. In recent months, officials from both countries have engaged in multiple rounds of talks, potentially signaling the beginning of a new chapter in Egyptian-Iranian relations, which have been strained for over four decades. Encouraged by recent strides made in the normalization of relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, along with an emerging de-escalation dynamic in the region, Cairo seems to be willing to reassess its ties with Tehran in hopes of restoring political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. While normalizing relations would have significant regional and global implications, the effort also faces several obstacles that might impact its prospects for success.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2023
The outbreak of military clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support For... more The outbreak of military clashes between the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds and the displacement of thousands of Sudanese, underscores a complex interplay of domestic, regional, and global actors who have contributed to the protracted conflict. While the violent confrontations reflect a power struggle between General Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, the army leader, and his deputy, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (better known as Hemedti), they also expose a web of regional dynamics and conflicting interests in Sudan. Since the removal of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in 2019, regional actors, including Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel, have been heavily involved in the country, each with its own agenda and interests. Their support for the warring factions has further exacerbated the situation, fueled the conflict, and resulted in the current state of chaos. The lack of consensus and cooperation between these parties will only prolong the ongoing crisis, perpetuating the suffering of the Sudanese people.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ACW, 2023
In June 2017, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi consented to ceding sovereignty over the is... more In June 2017, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi consented to ceding sovereignty over the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia. However, nearly six years on, the issue remains unresolved. The deadlock is not primarily due to widespread public criticism and rejection among Egyptians of relinquishing the islands to Saudi Arabia, as they consider them to be a part of Egypt’s territory. Rather, the impasse is a result of political, economic, and financial differences between Riyadh and Cairo which have been simmering over the past few months. El-Sisi is purportedly hindering the transfer of sovereignty over the islands to exert pressure on Saudi Arabia and achieve economic and financial benefits that could alleviate Egypt’s severe economic crisis. Whether this strategy will succeed in securing Sisi’s desired benefits from Saudi Arabia remains to be seen.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Responsible Statecraft, 2023
Just a few weeks ago, Sudanese political and military factions appeared poised to sign a final ag... more Just a few weeks ago, Sudanese political and military factions appeared poised to sign a final agreement on April 11 to pave the way for a transitional civilian government. But this week’s outbreak of fighting between the army led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by al-Burhan’s deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemedti, has dashed those hopes.
The power struggle between the two factions, which are backed by different regional and international players, has been simmering since 2021. It was not a matter of if, but rather when they would come to blows. The intensity and breadth of the violence, suggests that Africa’s third largest country is rapidly descending into chaos.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
ISLAMISM AND REVOLUTION ACROSS THE MIDDLE EAST, 2023
Despite the modest harvest of the Arab Spring, Islamist movements and groups have been significan... more Despite the modest harvest of the Arab Spring, Islamist movements and groups have been significantly impacted by the Arab uprisings. After decades of repression and exclusion, Islamists became a key player in the new political scene after the Arab Spring. In Egypt, as well as in Tunisia, Morocco, Yemen, Syria, and Libya, Islamists’ discourse, strategy, and behavior have shaped the outcome of the Arab uprisings. However, Islamists’ role and performance varied from one case to another. For example, whereas Islamists succeeded in gaining and maintaining power in Tunisia and Morocco, they failed to do so in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen. Likewise, while the inclusion of Islamists led to their views and ideology becoming moderated in some cases, it created challenges and problems in others. Therefore, this book attempts to answer two key questions: first, how did the Arab Spring affect Islamists’ ideology, strategy, and organizations? Second, how can we explain Islamists’ different responses to the Arab Spring and what do these responses tell us about Islamists’ diversity and heterogeneity
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
AFTER THE ARAB REVOLUTIONS Decentring Democratic Transition Theory Edited, 2022
This chapter explores the role of religion, namely Islam, in the aftermath
of the Arab Spring and... more This chapter explores the role of religion, namely Islam, in the aftermath
of the Arab Spring and to what extent it shaped the outcome and trajectory
of the Arab uprisings. By doing so, the chapter helps to better understand
three key issues: (a) the role of religion during political upheavals and
whether it hinders or facilitates democratic transition; (b) the impact of the
Arab Spring on Islamist groups and movements during and after the Arab
Spring; and (c) some theoretical conclusions that can go beyond the Arab
World and improve our understanding of the relationship between religion
and democratic transition.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
The Wiley-Blackwell Encyclopedia of Social and Political Movements, 2023
The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most important groups and movements of political Islam aroun... more The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most important groups and movements of political Islam around the world. It operates under different names that vary from one country to another. The Muslim Brotherhood is also one of the largest social movements that seeks to achieve social, political, religious, and cultural reform in the Muslim world. The group emerged in the early twentieth century and spread widely throughout the Arab and Muslim world and became one of the most influential movements in the political, social, and cultural realms. It has millions of supporters and sympathizers from Malaysia and Indonesia to Morocco as well as in Europe and North America.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Middle East Law and Governance , 2021
This article explores the disengagement of members from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Following bot... more This article explores the disengagement of members from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood. Following both the 2011 uprising and the 2013 coup, increasing disenchantment with the group's ideology and political project have led many members to reconsider their commitment to, and membership in, the Brotherhood. While scholarship examining the Brotherhood's processes of recruitment and forming of collective identity is burgeoning, few works have assessed members' disengagement from the movement and abandonment of its ideology, or how former members make sense of their "ex" identity. Based on rich, original material and extensive interviews with former Brotherhood members in Egypt, Turkey, the UK, and Qatar, this article investigates how former members seek new meanings and identities. Adopting a processual and discursive perspective on disengagement from the Brotherhood, we identify disengagement as consisting of distinct ideological, political, and affective processes. These processes shape individuals' strategies for exiting the Brotherhood and forming their new identities as ex-members.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Democratization, 2019
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Politics and Religion, 2020
How can we explain the neoliberal orientation of Islamist movements in the Middle East? This pape... more How can we explain the neoliberal orientation of Islamist movements in the Middle East? This paper attempts to answer this question by exploring the case of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. It analyzes in depth the Brotherhood's socio-economic vision and policies when it was in power between 2012 and 2013. It argues that the Brotherhood adopted a market-oriented vision, which encouraged the private sector, liberalized the economy, and appealed to foreign investments. As a socio-political movement, the Brotherhood attempted to strike a balance between its constituency, which is rooted in the lower, middle, and upper-middle classes, and its commitment to neoliberal policies. However, this paradoxical balance burdened the movement and affected its popularity. The article also contends that the Brotherhood's neoliberal leanings can be explained by three key factors: the movement's pragmatism, its “devout” bourgeoisie, and the appeal for international acceptance and recognition.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Uploads
Papers by Khalil al-Anani
elections after the uprising.
The power struggle between the two factions, which are backed by different regional and international players, has been simmering since 2021. It was not a matter of if, but rather when they would come to blows. The intensity and breadth of the violence, suggests that Africa’s third largest country is rapidly descending into chaos.
of the Arab Spring and to what extent it shaped the outcome and trajectory
of the Arab uprisings. By doing so, the chapter helps to better understand
three key issues: (a) the role of religion during political upheavals and
whether it hinders or facilitates democratic transition; (b) the impact of the
Arab Spring on Islamist groups and movements during and after the Arab
Spring; and (c) some theoretical conclusions that can go beyond the Arab
World and improve our understanding of the relationship between religion
and democratic transition.
elections after the uprising.
The power struggle between the two factions, which are backed by different regional and international players, has been simmering since 2021. It was not a matter of if, but rather when they would come to blows. The intensity and breadth of the violence, suggests that Africa’s third largest country is rapidly descending into chaos.
of the Arab Spring and to what extent it shaped the outcome and trajectory
of the Arab uprisings. By doing so, the chapter helps to better understand
three key issues: (a) the role of religion during political upheavals and
whether it hinders or facilitates democratic transition; (b) the impact of the
Arab Spring on Islamist groups and movements during and after the Arab
Spring; and (c) some theoretical conclusions that can go beyond the Arab
World and improve our understanding of the relationship between religion
and democratic transition.
This book examines in detail how Salafism, both theologically and politically, is contending with the Arab uprisings across a number of countries. The focus is primarily on what kind of politicisation, if any, has taken place and what forms it has adopted. As some of the contributions make clear, politicisation does not necessarily diminish the role of jihad or the influence of quietism, revealing tensions and struggles within the complex world of Salafism.