Mubarak manipulated elections to scare the US into easing democratization pressure.

Evidence

In response, Mubarak apparently let the Muslim Brotherhood win seats in the next election, with the goal of scaring the Americans into backing off. Kefaya—Enough!—flowered into this small space Mubarak opened for legitimate civil society, as well. — Vincent Bevins, If We Burn, 211

Categorization

• QUESTION: The author hedges with ‘apparently’ — worth chasing the sourcing on whether Mubarak actually rigged Brotherhood wins deliberately, or whether this is retrospective narrative.
• XREF: Echoes the pattern in earlier chapters of authoritarian regimes weaponizing limited openings — relates to the ‘small spaces’ theme and democratic backsliding literature. — connects to: US Middle East alliances have repeatedly thwarted democracy — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 297

Broader Connections

• US Middle East alliances have repeatedly thwarted democracy #expands (0.72) — Green, Todd H, The Fear of Islam_ An Introduction to…, 297