Egypt’s future is dependent on several forces that have
shaped the nation today. The September 11 attacks on the
United States and the involvement of Egyptian nationals in the
attacks attracted the world’s attention. However, the Egyptian
government has in fact been cracking down on Islamists for
several years. The Muslim Brotherhood and the Egyptian gov-
ernment have rallied against terrorism. The post-9/11 timeline
has also made Egypt’s role in international politics even more
important. With the Arab League based in Cairo and its ideal
location situated at a crossroads between Europe, Africa, and
the Middle East, Egypt has a major role in bridging the wide
gap that exists between the Western and Arab worlds.