Analysis: Washington’s Influence Waning in Egypt; Turkey Must Choose Sides

Writing for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, David Schenker asserts that the influence of Washington is becoming less of a factor in revolutionary Egypt. The U.S. government is not only having trouble with Egypt’s new political rulers, but is also rapidly losing sway with the Egyptian public. Schenker believes that the majority of U.S. interests, including the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, are safe at the moment, but he is concerned that these interests will be at risk if Egypt continues on its current path.

In other analysis, Brian Whitaker of The Guardian writes that despite Turkey’s growing notoriety among Arab nations, the Turkish practice of avoiding conflict with their Arab peers may no longer be a viable policy. Whitaker contends that Turkey may be forced to choose sides, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring.