During the past five years, officers have been in control of the Egyptian state apparatus and struggling economy. The military regime of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi applies economic policies that generate acute discontent among the increasingly impoverished lower classes. Meanwhile, officers corruptly accumulate wealth by occupying government offices and expanding monopolistic business enterprises. Despite the apparent political stability of the regime, social instability is the hidden reality.

Zeinab Abul-Magd is a freelance security and policy analyst with a special focus on North Africa. He was the Austrian Defense Attaché to Italy, Greece, Libya and Tunisia from 2007 to 2012. He has a Master’s Degree from the University of Vienna (Political Science) and from the National Defense University/National War College in Washington D.C. (National Security Strategy; distinguished graduate). He is Director of the California-based advisory company Perim Associates. Since 2016 he is the Chairman of the Advisory Board of the National Council on US-Libya Relations.