MEC - Maghreb

The Crisis in Northern Mali

H.E. Maman Sidikou, Rudolph Atallah, Anouar Boukhars, J. Peter Pham — Thu, 31 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

While much attention has been focused on the crisis provoked by the March 22 coup in Mali's capital, events in the northern part of the country may have greater regional implications.

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.

Morocco's Stalling Economy

Lahcen Achy — Tue, 29 May 2012 07:56:46 +0000

Due to the high cost of imports and a rent-seeking economy, Morocco is experiencing an economic slowdown that may lead to social tension. The government should remedy the situation by encouraging competition and investing in productive sectors.

Political Islamism is Not to be Feared

Marwan Muasher — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:48:56 +0000

Only a coalition of pluralists can succeed in building a democratic society where the majority rules, where minority rights are respected, and where individual rights are safe and the rule of law applies to all, without favoritism.

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.

An Unexpected Result in Algeria’s Parliamentary Elections

Alexey Malashenko — Wed, 23 May 2012 19:07:38 +0000

The Islamists’ defeat in Algeria’s recent parliamentary elections is a product of the pragmatism of the ruling Algerian elite and shows that the regime is sensitive to society’s demands. The results are likely an exception to the trend of rising Islamist influence in the Arab world.

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.

Algeria’s Financial Surplus and Socioeconomic Struggles

Lahcen Achy — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:29:42 +0000

Algeria’s oil and gas resources enable it to accumulate large amounts of wealth with relative ease. But this blessing should not be used as an excuse for excessive government spending without clear priorities.

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.

Libya’s Economy: On Path to Recovery but Facing Hard Challenges

Lahcen Achy — Tue, 01 May 2012 14:49:03 +0000

With the current level of oil production and high prices on international markets, the Libyan economy is expected to recover this year. Yet, to ensure long-term stability, Libya must move away from its dependence on oil toward a diversified economy led by a competitive private sector.

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. But transforming the state-society compact will not be easy or quick.

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?

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.

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.

Tunisia’s Fragile Economy Puts Focus on Government Promises

Lahcen Achy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:55:05 +0000

Although some have blamed the lackluster performance of the Tunisian economy on the inexperience of the current Islamist government, the problems Ennahda’s government confronts are complex and there is no easy way out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Simmering Discontent in the Western Sahara

Anouar Boukhars — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Morocco’s friends in the West, especially the United States and France, must pressure Rabat to expedite a significant devolution of power to the Western Sahara to limit the threat of instability.