Islamic Region Efforts

its impact would be smaller on ideologically and religiously
motivated groups such as WS. Development
efforts are under way. Last year, President Abd al-Fattah
al-Sisi committed the equivalent of $560 million to new
industrial, agricultural, transport and housing projects
(al-Masry al-Youm, March 8). Unfortunately, many of
these projects are in the Canal Zone region and will
have little impact on the economy of North Sinai. More
will be needed, but with Egypt currently experiencing
currency devaluation, inflation, food shortages and
shrinking foreign currency reserves, the central government
will have difficulty in implementing a development-based
solution in Sinai.
Andrew McGregor is Director of Aberfoyle International
Security, a Toronto-based agency specializing in security
issues related to the Islamic world. He is the author of ‘A
Military History of Modern Egypt’ (Praeger International
Security, 2006).
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