seen parts of their monopoly on decision making wither, and Islamist movements have watched their fortunes rise from one election to the next. But al-Shater's entrance into the race makes a leap into the unknown. One year ago, when I met him shortly after he was released from prison, I pressed al-Shater

uestion of whether the presidential election will take place as planned. While there has been no move to cancel or postpone it, the announcement of al-Shater's candidacy comes as the Brotherhood finds itself in the midst of bitter feuds with almost every other political actor and some key institutions: in