The "Bearded Elites" and the Sad State of Egyptian State Institutions

The next few weeks will be crucial for the future of Egypt. The establishment of a truly democratic polity will not only depend on skillfully designed institutional arrangements, but also on the ability and willingness of the current president and government to bridge some divisions and mend conflicts. In the complex Egyptian transition, the role of the transatlantic partners will be crucial in furthering democracy and in defending people's expectations as long as they remain committed to democratization and avoid sliding back into the old stability-first politics.