مصر

Assuming the group is patient and willing to accept that the events of this summer are irreversible, it has several options for eventually regaining national influence.

Although the new constitution is unlikely to catalyze upheaval in the short term, the changes being contemplated could have major implications for the role of religion and the military in Egypt's political life.

On October 15, James Dorsey, a syndicated columnist and author of the blog (and forthcoming book) The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer , addressed a Washington Institute Policy Forum. The following is a rapporteur's summary of his remarks. Over the past several years, soccer fields across the Middle East

The recent suspension of U.S. aid to Egypt is a self-inflicted wound, but a flexible interpretation of the gesture and attention to Egypt's economic needs could soften its negative impact.

Cutting aid will cost Washington substantial influence in Egypt without achieving any gains for either American geostrategy or democratic prospects within the country.

If the newly banned Brotherhood turns to violence, it will only validate a more thorough and perhaps permanent crackdown.

Islamist violence has chased off tourists, and now it threatens a key waterway -- and Egypt's entire economy.

Cutting aid to Egypt would only hurt U.S. interests there without helping democracy, stability, or any other cause.

With the transition plan forging ahead after recent turbulence, Egypt's focus has turned to the upcoming constitutional referendum, which will be followed by parliamentary and presidential elections that may favor emerging centrist movement al-Tayyar al-Hor.