Egypt’s first parliamentary elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak began on November 28th. The vote for the People's Assembly will stretch over six weeks into January 2012.
 
An outpouring of enthusiastic voters has for the moment raised a note of optimism in Egypt. Yet following days of mass protest over the military's continued rule, state violence, and deepening political and social polarization, it appears that Egypt's transition will be long and rocky.
 
This December 2011 discussion, co-hosted by the Egyptian American Rule of Law Association, explored the election's impact, transitional prospects, and implications for the wider MENA region and U.S. foreign policy.

Listen to audio of the entire event: