Ambassador Mark G. Hambley (Ret.) 

will speak on

The Future of Egypt: The Military, Secularism, and the Muslim Brotherhood

The initial optimism for the Arab Spring and the hopes for a peaceful transition to democracy and stability have been shattered in Egypt, replaced first by the Morsi regime and its failure to develop an inclusive and representative government. These failures produced widespread demonstrations, a military coup (let’s call it what it is), and violent civil conflict that threaten the future of Egypt and the stability of the region.  US options are limited and diplomatic leverage is muted by the determination of Egypt’s military leaders and the actions of other outside powers to include more than $12 billion in economic assistance from Gulf States to support the military and undermine the Muslim Brotherhood. Few diplomats are more qualified to sort out the dynamics of these events and to discuss American options in the region than Ambassador Mark Hambley.

During 32 years of service with the US government, Mark Hambley lived in 12 countries, many of them in the Middle East, including postings as Ambassador to Qatar and Lebanon and as Consul General in Alexandria, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Other postings took him to Vietnam, Yemen, Jordan, Tunisia and Libya during a career in which he provided first-hand accounts of the wars, coups, and extraordinary economic, social and political developments occurring in much of this strategic and fascinating region of the world.

Currently resident in Massachusetts, Ambassador Hambley continues to travel and work in the Middle East and South Asia. Some of this travel is in connection with his part-time duties as the managing director of international matters for APOLLO International. Additional travel is undertaken in response to other interests as a Trustee for the London-based Next Century Foundation which focuses on peace, reconciliation and security issues in the Middle East, Afghanistan, and Sudan. In these capacities, he has been a frequent visitor to Iraq, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, along with Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Yemen, and the Gulf.

Since 2008, Ambassador Hambley has been on the Executive Committee of the Middle East Policy Council in Washington, and in 2012 he was appointed to the board of the London-based Iman Foundation, which focuses on promoting dialogue and understanding among the diverse cultures and religions of the Middle East. He speaks and writes often on topics related to the Middle East, including on the growing impact of radical movements on both the Middle East and the United States.

Dinner choices: Vegetable risotto, Grilled sirloin steak, Scaloppine of chicken Jerusalem     

Next Meeting:  October 24  Mark Lowenthal, "Post-9/11 Intelligence Reforms: Are They Working and Are We Safer?"  Tucson Country Club

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