MEC - Gulf

The Economic Agenda of the Islamist Parties

Ibrahim Saif, Muhammad Abu Rumman — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:20:56 +0000

The economic platforms of Islamist parties have largely been overlooked, despite the serious challenges that lie ahead for the economies of the Arab world.

The Emerging Order in the Middle East

Sinan Ülgen, Nathan Brown, Marina Ottaway, Paul Salem — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:02:09 +0000

The best hope for reconciliation and democracy promotion in the Arab world comes from a focus on economic reform and other concrete issues.

Islamist Parties in Power: A Work in Progress

Marina Ottaway, Marwan Muasher — Wed, 23 May 2012 17:23:36 +0000

Islamist parties seem to be evolving rapidly as they learn to navigate through the difficult politics and the uncertain democratic processes of their countries.

Despite Clouds, Arab Spring has Not Turned to Winter

Paul Salem — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:20:50 +0000

Together, Europeans and Arabs can build a better future, built on a wider set of common political and social values. The Arab world’s breakthrough was late in coming, but it is here.

UNDP’s Arab Development Challenges Report 2011: Towards the Developmental State in the Arab Region

Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

To respond to the demands for social justice reverberating across the Arab world, Arab countries should adopt a “developmental state” model based on a new social contract of mutual accountability and shed the rentier-based political economy model.

What Prevents Arab Students from Pursuing Vocational Education?

Ibrahim Saif — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:28:35 +0000

A shift in the nature of Arab educational systems toward incentivizing technical and vocational training is one possible long-term solution to the problem of unemployment among the youth of the Arab world.

Iraq’s Foreign Policy Future Rests with Syria

Maria Fantappie — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:30:14 +0000

Acting as an essential mediator in the Syrian crisis could fulfill Iraq's wishes to return to the regional scene and the Kurds’ goal of expanding their influence over neighboring regions.

International Institutions' New Approach Toward Arab Countries

Ibrahim Saif — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:42:36 +0000

Arab governments’ relations with international institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, are experiencing a significant change. How will relations between the new Arab governments and these institutions develop going forward?

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.

Islamists and Education in the Arab World

Muhammad Faour — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:18:09 +0000

The Islamist ascent to power in parts of the Arab world has stirred up concerns about the effect this Islamist rise might have on education in the region.

Iraq’s Emerging Role, Syria, and the Middle East

Lizza Bomassi, Maria Fantappie — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

After years of instability and marginalization, Iraq has recently emerged as a key regional player.

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.

Inevitable Democracy in the Arab World: New Realities in an Ancient Land

وسام يافي, Paul Salem — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Four dynamics are leading to change in the Arab world: geo-economic, geo-social, geo-political, and technological. And with few exceptions, no political system will be able to support the dynamics currently in place over the long term, except for democracy.

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?

Do the Islamists Provide Economic Alternatives?

Ibrahim Saif — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:02:28 +0000

Throughout the Middle East and North Africa, Islamist parties are garnering electoral success. A strong economic policy is essential for ensuring that voters remain confident and supportive of Islamist parties in the future.

Troubles Financing the Arab World’s SMEs Hurt Growth

Lahcen Achy — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Small- and medium-size enterprises are already playing a key role in the economies of the Arab world. But limited access to financing prevents those enterprises from unleashing their full potential, boosting economic growth, and creating much-needed jobs.

The Arab League Summit and the Syrian Crisis

Paul Salem, Yezid Sayigh, Maria Fantappie — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Iraq hosted the Arab League summit last week, a significant development for a country that has been marginalized from its Arab neighbors. But as Arab relations with Iraq improve, relations with its neighbor Syria are deteriorating.

Turkey in the New Middle East

Sinan Ülgen, Paul Salem — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

With democratic change struggling to take root in the Arab world, it remains to be seen whether Turkey can serve as a model for those who hope to usher the region through the difficult transition to a more democratic order.

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.

Rentier Economy Fueling Unemployment and Poor Job Quality in the Arab World

Lahcen Achy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Arab regimes, challenged by rapid demographic growth and an increase in the number of educated job seekers, must transition their economies toward more merit-based competition and economic performance through productive investment.

Dear Ayatollah Khamenei: Go Ahead, Shut Down That Strait

David Rothkopf — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Iran's threat to shut down the Strait of Hormuz and strangle the U.S. oil supply could provide a much-needed impetus for the United States to reconsider its energy policies.

Turkey, Iran, and the Bomb

Sinan Ülgen — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Although policymakers worry that an Iranian atomic weapon would force the country's neighbors to explore the nuclear option, that is not the case for Turkey.

The Aftermath of Iran's Parliamentary Elections

Karim Sadjadpour — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

In the aftermath of parliamentary elections in Iran, it is increasingly clear that the Iran is now a one party state.

Iran is the Great Distraction

David Rothkopf — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Israel and the United States have focused on the security threat from Iran's nuclear program, but this threat may be overstated. Indeed, both Israel and the United States may have bigger security concerns closer to home.