DC - Middle East Program

The Drivers of Insecurity in Mauritania

Anouar Boukhars — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:02:22 +0000

Promoting good governance and reinforcing the state’s capacity is critical to improving economic conditions and building people’s trust in Mauritania’s national institutions.

Tribal Governance and Stability in Yemen

Nadwa Al-Dawsari — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:58:19 +0000

Tribal governance and conflict resolution traditions will play a part in helping to ease tensions and mitigate conflicts that will arise as Yemen moves toward political transition.

The Ayatollah Under the Bed(sheets)

Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:03:11 +0000

In essence, the Iranian regime's approach toward sex, like its philosophy of governance, is marked by expediency and used alternately as a tool of suppression, inducement, and incitement.

The Current Status of Constitution Making in Tunisia

Duncan Pickard — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:20:16 +0000

As Tunisia's Constituent Assembly continues to tackle technical constitutional issues, it must also respond to the country's growing impatience about the slow progress on legislative issues.

The Coming Tests of the Syrian Opposition

Yezid Sayigh — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:03:36 +0000

The opposition must navigate rifts caused by class divisions and political divisions between those in exile and those in Syria if they hope to tip the balance against a determined and resilient regime.

Democracy and Human Rights in Iran: A Conference in Honor of Siamak Pourzand

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Even as the policy debate has intensified over Iran, the struggle of Iranians to advance democracy and human rights under increasingly repressive conditions is too often being overlooked.

Deescalating Tension with Iran

Karim Sadjadpour — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:56:30 +0000

Negotiations are unlikely to resolve the problems surrounding Iran’s nuclear program at this time, but they can help deescalate tensions and maintain stability between all concerned parties.

Egypt's Transition Imbroglio

Nathan Brown — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:31:15 +0000

The rapid developments over the past month have shown that legal and constitutional loopholes have the potential to seriously undermine Egypt’s democratic transition.

Negotiating with Iran: Istanbul and Its Aftermath

Vali Nasr, Ray Takeyh, George Perkovich, Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group are scheduled for April 13 and 14 in Istanbul. Is it possible for the United States to successfully engage Iran, or are negotiations with Tehran an exercise in futility?

Turkey’s Relations with the Syrian Opposition

Bayram Balci — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:18:15 +0000

Although Turkey is trying to avoid becoming even more entangled in the Syrian problem and is counting on the international community to find a solution, no such solution seems on the horizon.

Iran’s Limited Escape Options

Karim Sadjadpour — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:08:11 +0000

The goal of coercive diplomacy should be to slow Iran’s nuclear progress and contain its political influence in the region until the regime is eventually transformed or changed through the weight of its internal contradictions and economic malaise.

Islamists in Power: Views from Within

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Islamist parties will have a dominant impact on the outcome of Arab transitions, but there is little understanding in Washington of what that will mean for governing.

Egypt's Muddy Waters

Nathan Brown — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood's decision to abandon its pledge not to run a presidential candidate is a strong indication of the Brotherhood’s conversion to a fully political logic.

Building a Better Yemen

Charles Schmitz — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

A capable and legitimate state is even more essential to Yemen’s economic future than the presence of natural resources.

Egypt’s Transition in Crisis: Falling into the Wrong Turkish Model?

Marina Ottaway, Nathan Brown — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Egypt risks following a Turkish model where the military, backed by other key institutions and secular political parties, acts against Islamist movements.