Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Middle East Program

Between Government and Opposition: The Case of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0500

Yemen’s Islamist Congregation for Reform party (Islah) faces deep internal divisions on key issues, and its fractious composition prevents it from developing a clear parliamentary platform, leaving the party with no clear path toward the reforms it seeks.

Collision Course—Yemen's Converging Crises

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Yemen has always been on the verge of crisis. Throughout its history the country has never known complete stability, and governance has always bordered on chaotic. However, the situation is now rapidly deteriorating, with potentially devastating results.

“Fixing Broken Windows”: Security Sector Reform in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The bulk of development aid in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen has consisted of military training and equipment, which does nothing to ensure that security forces answer to legitimate civilian leaders.

The Desert Kingdom

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Saudi Arabia is the United States' major ally among Arab nations, yet most Americans know little about its modern system of governance or its ruling monarchy. Under reformer King Abdullah, Saudi society is changing.

The New Hostage Crisis

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The Iranian regime continues to imprison innocent people and impose harsh sentences on them. Engaging the regime on behalf of the imprisoned has been complicated by the purging of its moderates.

Turkey's Transformers

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Turkey aspires to be a global power, but it has yet to become as great a regional power as its government declares it to be. Can the ruling party achieve its goals, or will it be held back by its Islamist past and the conservative inclinations of its core constituents?

What's With Iran?

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The Russian, Israeli, Iranian and U.S. positions on Iran’s nuclear ambitions are open to several interpretations. The best endgame scenario is for Iran to take the “Japan option” and maintain an ability to produce a nuclear weapon on short notice but not actually test one.

The Islamist Threat In Tunisia Still Justifies the Stagnation of the Political Scene

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Tunisian President Benali has been in power for 22 years and he continues to justify stalling political reforms by pointing to the "Islamist threat." Today, there is certainly no chance to have an Islamist party in Tunisia but any democratic reconsideration of the regime is impossible as well.

Aid for Education is Our Best Weapon against Militant Islam

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The future of the Arab world depends on a radical reconsideration of outdated and insufficient educational systems. Western governments must make educational aid a priority or risk seeing the extremists’ madrasas win hearts and minds.

Fiscal Adjustment in Non-oil Producing MENA Countries: Painful but Healthy!

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Non-oil producing countries in the Middle East and North Africa have spent the last decade working to achieve fiscal consolidation. Governments in each of these countries must look beyond the global crisis and make courageous trade-offs to ensure a sustainable future for public finances.

A Small Step on the Road to Reconciliation Between Turkey and Armenia

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Turkey and Armenia signed historic protocols on October 10 to restore diplomatic ties and open shared borders. Although the deal must still be ratified by their respective parliaments, it marks the first step in resolving tensions stemming from the killing of Armenians under Ottoman rule in 1915.

Diplomacy First

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The Obama administration has demonstrated its ability to introduce major foreign policy changes despite some powerful opposition at home, marking a victory for their advocacy of diplomacy in form and substance.

Winning the Nobel Peace Prize

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

President's Obama recent Nobel Peace Prize has resulted in skepticism in some circles. His forthcoming acceptance speech offers him the opportunity to capitalize on the award and take steps toward achieving many of his administration's goals.

Obama Should Harness the Power of His Peace Prize

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The recent awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize puts a great additional burden on President Obama. He must now live up to the expectations of the prize and harness the power of the award.

Turkey's Perspectives on Nuclear Weapons and Disarmament

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Global nuclear disarmament could increase Turkey’s regional and international influence. If Iran achieves its nuclear ambitions and America’s influence is perceived as declining, however, Turkey’s inclination to favor a disarmament agreement may change.

Forget the Nukes

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Proposed economic sanctions on Iran should focus on undermining the Islamic regime rather than stopping its nuclear program.

US-Iran Relations

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The Iranian nuclear program continues to be a major foreign policy challenge for the Obama administration. Changing the behavior of the regime will most likely require a change in its character.

Iranian Missile Tests Ignite Calls for Sanctions

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Iran's test-firing of a new, more advanced missile type with the capability to reach Israel, Europe or the Persian Gulf has increased tension over the Iranian nuclear program. The missile test will have a profound affect on the upcoming multilateral nuclear talks.

Pressure On Iran Mounts Over Nuclear Disclosure

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Iran's continued resistance to cooperate with the international community on its nuclear program demonstrates the regime's intransigence, particularly in light of the Obama administration efforts to engage.

Little Progress from the Trilateral Meeting

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

There are no viable opportunities at the moment to push for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel does not believe such a solution is possible, and the Palestinians remain divided.

Iran and Nuclear Security

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Following a momentous summer in Iran and scheduled open talks on October 1, President Obama and President Ahmadinejad take the stage today at the United Nations.

The G20 and Saudi Arabia’s Changing Foreign Policy Agenda

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

In the wake of the global financial crisis, the Saudis cannot be comforted to know that their economic fortunes are so closely related to events beyond their borders. The Saudi leadership will look to the G20 process to help make these markets less volatile and easier to navigate.

Make-believe Reforms in Morocco

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

Morocco's monarchy has yielded little, if any, political freedom. It must not hide behind the erroneous claim that democracy and security are mutually exclusive.

Yemen: Avoiding a Downward Spiral

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

If the Yemeni central government cannot fully control its territory, violent extremists will have a space to regroup and launch new attacks. Yemen's problems potentially threaten the region and the international community.

Fighting in Yemen

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:00:00 -0400

The increasing instability in Yemen has raised concern in the international community. A failed Yemeni state could serve as a perfect safe haven for Al-Qaeda, particularly because Yemen does not possess the resources to combat these type of organizations.