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Anniversary of Egypt's uprising is a chance for renewal

The third anniversary of the Egyptian uprising is an opportunity for liberal, democratic and socialist forces to unite in a common cause.
Supporters of Egypt's army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi hold posters of Sisi and wave flags in front of Abdeen Presidential Palace in downtown Cairo, January 24, 2014. A wave of bomb attacks targeting police hit Cairo on Friday, killing six people on the eve of the third anniversary of the uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak and raising fears that an Islamist insurgency is gaining pace in Egypt. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CRIME LAW) - RTX17T0A

Today is the third anniversary of the uprising that brought the downfall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s regime.

This anniversary comes at a time when the consensus that accompanied the uprising three years ago has been sadly undermined by events, especially those of last year. This is unfortunate because Egypt is too central a factor throughout the Arab nation. The controversy regarding whether what took place on June 30, 2013 was a “military coup” or a “revolution” cannot be answered conclusively, in my view. The fact that the answer — whatever it may be — is perceived as controversial is itself an indication that, three years after the uprising, the outcome is profoundly — and perhaps unnecessarily — controversial.

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