How did Egypt's leadership change after Nasser?

After Nasser, Anwar Sadat became the President of Egypt, introducing political and economic reforms known as the 'Infitah' or 'Open Door' policy.

Following the death of Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1970, his Vice President, Anwar Sadat, assumed the presidency. Sadat's leadership marked a significant shift from Nasser's socialist policies and pan-Arab nationalism. Sadat introduced a series of political and economic reforms known as the 'Infitah' or 'Open Door' policy. These reforms aimed to liberalise the Egyptian economy and encourage foreign investment, marking a departure from Nasser's state-controlled economic model.

Sadat also sought to realign Egypt's foreign policy. He moved away from the Soviet Union, which had been a close ally during Nasser's reign, and sought closer ties with the United States. This shift was partly motivated by economic considerations, as Sadat hoped that the US would provide financial aid to support his economic reforms. However, it also reflected Sadat's desire to secure a peace agreement with Israel, which he believed would be more achievable with US support.

In 1977, Sadat made a historic visit to Israel, becoming the first Arab leader to do so. This paved the way for the Camp David Accords in 1978, brokered by US President Jimmy Carter, which led to a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel in 1979. This was a significant departure from Nasser's policy of confrontation with Israel and was highly controversial in the Arab world.

Sadat's leadership also saw a greater emphasis on political pluralism. He introduced a multi-party system and allowed for greater freedom of the press. However, these reforms were limited and did not fundamentally alter the authoritarian nature of the Egyptian state. Sadat's rule was also marked by increasing political repression, particularly against Islamists and leftists who opposed his policies.

In summary, Egypt's leadership underwent significant changes after Nasser. Under Sadat, Egypt moved away from socialism and pan-Arab nationalism towards economic liberalisation and a closer relationship with the United States. Sadat also pursued a peace agreement with Israel, marking a major shift in Egypt's foreign policy. However, his rule was also marked by political repression and did not fundamentally alter the authoritarian nature of the Egyptian state.