報道に触れるたびに、中東では今も国家破綻や内戦、テロなど、不安定な情勢が続いていることを思い起こさせられます。中東がより安定し、より豊かな未来を築くためには、地域最大の人口と強大な軍事力、そしてソフトパワーを持つエジプトが中心的な役割を果たす必要があります。
地域でそうした影響力を持つ国、エジプトを紹介する本書では、まず2011-12年にかけて世界の注目を集めた騒乱を取り上げてから、エジプト近現代史を振り返ります。次に、政治、社会、人口統計、文化、宗教に焦点を当て、現在のエジプトの姿を浮き彫りにします。その上で、権威主義の深化、高い失業率、貧困の蔓延、人口の急増、公害など、エジプトが抱える主な問題を分析し、米国、イスラエル、アラブ諸国、その他の大国との関係にも焦点を当てています。最後には、今日のエジプトにとっての問題・課題を評価し、その解決策を提案しています。この魅力あふれる国を理解するために不可欠な背景と、中東の未来を形作る潜在力を概括します。
    

• The single best resource for a quick and accurate introduction to Egypt
• Draws on the latest scholarly research on Egyptian history, politics, economics, and religion to provide a well-informed and accessible introduction to a pivotal country in the Middle East
• Distills a large and complex literature into key points and makes these accessible to non-specialists

　
With almost every news broadcast, we are reminded of the continuing instability of the Middle East, where state collapse, civil wars, and terrorism have combined to produce a region in turmoil. If the Middle East is to achieve a more stable and prosperous future, Egypt-which possesses the region's largest population, a formidable military, and considerable soft power-must play a central role. Modern Egypt: What Everyone Needs to Know® by Bruce Rutherford and Jeannie Sowers introduces readers to this influential country. The book begins with the 2011-2012 uprising that captured the world's attention before turning to an overview of modern Egyptian history. The book then focuses on present-day Egyptian politics, society, demography, culture, and religion. It analyzes Egypt's core problems, including deepening authoritarianism, high unemployment, widespread poverty, rapid population growth, and pollution. The book then concentrates on Egypt's relations with the United States, Israel, Arab states, and other world powers. Modern Egypt concludes by assessing the country's ongoing challenges and suggesting strategies for addressing them. Concise yet sweeping in coverage, the book provides the essential background for understanding this fascinating country and its potential to shape the future of the Middle East.