Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

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Paul Sedra

Paul Sedra is associate professor of history at Simon Fraser University and Middle East editor of History Compass.

Current Analysis

The Subversive Power of Grief

One need not cast one's mind too far back to see that both the Egyptian government and the Coptic Orthodox Church are worried more about the December 11 church bombing's destabilizing potential than about the national unity they spoke of during the state-run funeral.

Paul Sedra • 3 min read

MER Article

Reconstituting the Coptic Community Amidst Revolution

Egypt’s Coptic community marked the passing in 2012 of two widely known and influential public figures. The first was the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Shenouda III, who died on March 17. Shenouda had celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of his enthronement as patriarch the previous

Paul Sedra • 12 min read