MEC - Levant

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.

Syrian Regime Cannot Conceal An Economy in Rapid Decline

Ibrahim Saif — Tue, 22 May 2012 12:16:22 +0000

No one is fully knowledgeable about the state of the Syrian economy, how exactly it has been affected by the events taking place in the country, or how to interpret the choice economic indicators issued by Syrian officials.

Syrian Crisis Spreads to Lebanon

Paul Salem — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:07:52 +0000

While Lebanon is not currently headed toward a widespread collapse, regional players and the international community must recognize the danger of using Lebanon as a proxy battle for another Arab country.

Lebanon Edges Closer to Syrian Crisis

Paul Salem — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:48:33 +0000

As armed clashes last weekend show, north Lebanon is becoming a growing support base for the Syrian revolution. Sunni mobilization in support of the uprising in Syria is mounting and the Lebanese government is losing its ability to maintain its policy of neutrality.

The Banking Industry in Lebanon: Challenges and Policies

Khater Abi Habib, Saad Azhari, Paul Salem, Wassim Shahin — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

The Lebanese financial sector plays a vital role in the country’s economy and has encountered many changes and challenges in the past decade.

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.

The Syrian Opposition Needs a Political Strategy

Yezid Sayigh — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:24:32 +0000

The Syrian opposition will fail to bring about change unless it develops a clear transition plan and a credible political strategy for winning over key sectors in Syria.

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.

The Long Road in Syria: Pressure and Politics

Paul Salem — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:02:07 +0000

The chances for a compromise soft landing in Syria remain slim; but the alternative is a crash landing that leaves a failed state and civil war in its wake.

The Syrian Opposition at the Crossroads

Yezid Sayigh — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:50:12 +0000

The existing Syrian opposition movements are faced with the prospect of entering into a formal dialogue with the regime. Without substantive proposals, the chances of weakening the regime remain slim, leaving only a prospect of continuing violence.

Turkey and the Bomb

Pierre Goldschmidt, Eva Gross, Bruno Tertrais, Sinan Ülgen — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Despite widespread concern that an Iranian nuclear weapon will lead to an arms race, most nuclear-capable states have chosen not to develop a nuclear arsenal. Turkey is no exception.

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?

A Syrian Model

Dmitri Trenin — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:04:28 +0000

Leading Syria to peace is a responsibility which it is safer to accept than to ignore.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Syrian National Council Wins Recognition Abroad, But May Lose Out at Home

Yezid Sayigh — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:00:00 +0000

The Friends of Syria meeting held in Istanbul reinforced international commitment to political transition in Syria and granted further legitimacy to the Syrian National Council, but it has also left the council facing several major challenges.

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.