الديمقراطية والإصلاح

Policy Analysis on الديمقراطية والإصلاح

Turkey at a Crossroads: What Do the Gezi Park Protests Mean for Democracy in the Region? (Part 1)

The director of the Institute's Turkish Research Program addressed the House regarding the large-scale demonstrations that have swept Turkey since May. The following is an excerpt from his prepared remarks; download the PDF to read the full testimony. Also read Ambassador James Jeffrey's testimony before the same panel. "Turkey, a

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

The Crowning of the Syrian Islamic Front

Although Washington and Saudi Arabia have increased their support for the mainstream Syrian opposition, jihadist factions and their Qatari and Egyptian backers are asserting themselves as well.

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Charles Lister

Articles & Testimony

Egypt Will Erupt Again on June 30

Given the opposition's growing rage and the Brotherhood's increasingly confrontational stance, the upcoming nationwide protests are unlikely to end well.

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Eric Trager

Video

Brief Analysis

Will Protests at Home Affect Turkey's Foreign Policy?

On June 13, 2013, Soner Cagaptay and James F. Jeffrey addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Mr. Jeffrey is the Philip Solondz distinguished visiting fellow at the Institute and former U.S. ambassador to Turkey (2008-2010) and Iraq (2010-2012). Dr. Cagaptay, author of the forthcoming book The Rise of

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey

منتدى فكرة

Egypt’s State of Rebellion

Recent clashes between Muslim Brotherhood and neighborhood youth highlight tension and the group’s desire to control the Egyptian state’s vital institutions.

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Maged Atef

Brief Analysis

Morsi's Provocative Appointments

Although Washington has long sought to moderate the Brotherhood's behavior through quiet diplomacy, Morsi's inflammatory political appointments suggest that this approach has failed.

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Eric Trager

Qatari leader Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Regime Change in Qatar

Knee-deep in Syria's civil war and surrounded by family quarrels, Qatar's emir is looking to hand over the country to his thirty-three-year-old son.

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Bahrain Rounds Up Organizers of Antigovernment Violence

Although Bahrain's ongoing troubles are domestically focused, the latest developments are a reminder of the region's wider Sunni-Shiite divide and the problematic role played by Iran.

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Jordan's Web Policy Mistake

Jordan is in danger of associating its traditionally enlightened monarchy with the practices of its repressive neighbors.

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Syria's Collapse and How Washington Can Stop It

Washington should pursue a measured but assertive course with Syria, because the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the threat it poses.

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Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

'There Must Be Order': How Russia's Internal Muslim Issues Affect Its Syria Policy

A firmer combination of pressure and incentives, with appropriate attention to Moscow's domestic concerns, could tip the balance toward greater U.S.-Russian cooperation in Syria.

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Peter Eltsov

Brief Analysis

A Way Forward in Benghazi

Helping the Libyan government root militias out of Benghazi and secure the city would go a long way toward securing the country as a whole.

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Andrew Engel

Brief Analysis

Regional Consequences of Qatar's Leadership Transition

The forthcoming elevation of Crown Prince Tamim to Qatar's top leadership roles could spur Iran and other rivals to play mischief.

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The Muslim Brotherhood in the Gulf: Prospects for Agitation

Local Brotherhood groups range from regime irritants to regime supporters, and the security challenge they represent to the Gulf monarchies should be assessed on a country-by-country basis.

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, casts his vote for president

Articles & Testimony

Don't Discount the Iranian Election

Khamenei's handling of the presidential election highlights his desire to prevent foreign accommodation, including on the nuclear issue.

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

New Palestinian Prime Minister Is a Victory for Fatah

Abbas's chosen candidate will boost Fatah's profile in the near term, but international donors will ultimately judge the new premier based on how he handles fiscal transparency, economic stewardship, and security cooperation.

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Turks Have Learned the Power of Grassroots Politics

Even if this week's demonstrations fizzle away, grassroots activism and middle-class demands for liberties have apparently become a force in Turkish politics.

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Egypt's NGO Convictions Demand an Assertive Response

The Muslim Brotherhood has no interest in adding an international crisis to its many domestic crises, so a strong U.S. response to today's court decision would likely bear fruit in Cairo.

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

US and EU Must Arm the Syrian Rebels or Watch Assad Destabilize the Region

Anything short of Assad's defeat would be a setback not only for Syrians, but also for America and Europe.

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Sworn Frenemies: Sunni-Shiite Conflict and Cooperation

Notwithstanding current hostilities, there is a long history of cooperation between Sunni and Shiite extremists.

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David Schenker

Supported by the

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

Fikra n. [Arabic] "Idea"

The Washington Institute's Project Fikra is a multiyear program of research, publication, and network-building designed to generate policy ideas for promoting positive change and countering the spread of extremism in the Middle East.

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