دمکراسی و اصلاح

Policy Analysis on دمکراسی و اصلاح

The Flawed Hope of Sufi Promotion in North Africa

Sufism has been repeatedly invoked in U.S. foreign policy circles as a possible ideological counterbalance to extremist ideologies in the Middle East and greater "Islamic world." On a superficial level, for those who view politics as a "battle of ideas," the imagery of pacifist whirling dervishes provides a compelling contrast

۱۹ دسامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Vish Sakthivel

Articles & Testimony

Tillerson's Task: Mastering Mind-Numbing Expectations at State

The next secretary of state cannot effectively marshal his staff or respond to nations who challenge the global security system until President-elect Trump clarifies his seemingly unconventional foreign policy priorities.

۱۳ دسامبر ۲۰۱۶

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

The Jihadi Threat: ISIS, Al Qaeda and Beyond

Although the two groups remain rivals, their activities in the Middle East and abroad have complementary effects, whether in the form of recruiting disillusioned youths, undermining the regional state system, normalizing support for violent jihad, or other threatening developments.

۱۲ دسامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Video

The Trump Administration and the Middle East: A Washington Institute Guide

A compendium of Institute analysis on the evolving challenges and opportunities that will face the Trump administration in the Middle East.

۸ دسامبر ۲۰۱۶

Articles & Testimony

Jordan's Economy Was Always Shaky -- the Refugee Crisis Has Only Made Things Worse

If the kingdom wants its latest economic reform plan to succeed, it will have to change the culture of its labor force, which is a difficult proposition at best.

۵ دسامبر ۲۰۱۶

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Iraq Can't Commit to OPEC's Oil Output Deal

Despite pressure from OPEC to cap its oil production, the Iraqi government can neither afford a cut nor enforce it upon the Kurdistan Regional Government.

۲۹ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Kuwait's Snap Election Revives Parliamentary Opposition, But Not Reform

While the new legislature is hardly a harbinger of deep reform, broader inclusiveness, or greater personal freedoms, it should be considered another welcome exception to the 'rule' that Arab democracy tends to produce instability, Islamist control, or sectarian oppression.

۲۸ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

A Syria Policy for Trump: How Washington Can Get to a Settlement

Continued passivity would only reinforce the perception that the United States is acquiescing to Russia and Iran’s regional plans, so the incoming administration should prepare a series of robust diplomatic and military steps.

۲۸ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Andrew J. Tabler
Dennis Ross

In-Depth Reports

Narratives of Reform in the UAE

UAE success stories are legion: Vast oil resources have made the United Arab Emirates one of the wealthiest states per capita in the world. Emirati rulers have pursued economic and social development projects of epic proportions, and citizen support for the country's leadership is believed to be high. Yet, when

۲۱ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Economy: Not Out of the Woods Yet

Although Cairo has taken significant steps to address capital shortages in recent weeks, the government knows that these steps will entail significant pain and could therefore spark unrest.

۱۸ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Eric Trager

Video

Brief Analysis

The Day After Mosul: Lessons from Kirkuk

Read or watch a conversation between a Washington Institute expert and the governor of Kirkuk, who shares firsthand perspectives on how Iraqi authorities and their partners can handle ethnic tensions in post-liberation Mosul.

۱۷ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Michael Knights
Najmaldin Karim

Articles & Testimony

A Trump Presidency: Short-Cut to Iraqi Kurdistan's Independence or a Wrong Turn?

The most reliable road to Kurdish sovereignty still runs through Baghdad, not through Ankara or the Trump White House.

۱۵ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Michael Knights

Video

Brief Analysis

The Rise and Fall of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood

How did the group rise to power so quickly after Mubarak's ouster in 2011 -- and then just as quickly lose public support and fall from power itself? Read or watch a conversation between leading experts on Egyptian politics.

۸ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Eric Trager
Nancy Youssef
Michele Dunne

Brief Analysis

Egypt and Israel's Growing Economic Cooperation

Although security cooperation tends to get the headlines, the two countries have been quietly pursuing other initiatives that could provide a desperately needed boost to Egypt's trade, tourism, and energy sectors.

۲ نوامبر ۲۰۱۶

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

A New President for Lebanon

Although filling the long-vacant office could help pull the country out of its political stagnation, Hezbollah and Iran will continue undermining Lebanese state institutions unless the situation next door in Syria changes significantly.

۳۱ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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David Schenker

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures to supporters

Articles & Testimony

A Paralyzing Rivalry

As Hamas prepares to elect a new leadership, its outward show of unity masks deep internal divisions that will likely perpetuate its regional isolation.

۲۷ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Losing Mosul, Regenerating in Diyala: How the Islamic State Could Exploit Iraq's Sectarian Tinderbox

Diyala offers a look into the near-future of Iraq’s security situation in areas where ethnosectarian tensions are neglected or even exacerbated by government policies and the presence of uncontrolled militias.

۲۵ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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Michael Knights
Alex Almeida

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

Brief Analysis

Gulf Succession: Qatar's Model Could Be a Way Forward

With most of the leaders of the conservative Arab Gulf states old or in poor health, abdication in favor of a younger generation may invigorate moribund hereditary leaderships, though a one-size-fits-all solution is not feasible.

۲۵ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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Simon Henderson

Multimedia

Despite All the Makings of Crisis, Algeria Continues to Prioritize Political Stability

In this podcast episode from World Politics Review, Vish Sakthivel joins Peter Dörrie to talk about the outlook for Algeria when the Bouteflika era comes to an end.

۲۱ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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Vish Sakthivel

Articles & Testimony

Does the Execution of Saudi Prince Turki Signal Progress in the Gulf Kingdom?

The punishment of a single, almost irrelevant, prince is unlikely to change the world's view that Saudi royals are a law unto themselves.

۲۱ اکتبر ۲۰۱۶

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Simon Henderson

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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