خلق الحوار. التأثير على السياسة.
Generating Dialogue. Impacting Policy.
The mysterious and deeply troubling disappearance of noted Saudi political commentator Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has refocused attention on the paradox of Saudi “reformist repression.” But a key question is this: how much do Saudis themselves – as opposed to Western experts, media, or NGOs – really know or care about such problems?
Fikra Forum
As the question of succession dominates public concerns in Algeria, divisions between Algerian President Bouteflika’s supporters and opponents have deepened among political, military, administrative, and economic elites. Intractable political conflicts resulting from the inability to decide over who holds the power of veto for succession have characterized the fourth term of the ailing President. Most notably, this power struggle has manifested itself in the internal politics of Algeria’s armed forces.
Fikra Forum
With the emergence of the Islamic State (IS) in June 2014, cultural taboos and restrictions previously surrounding women broke down. Female Peshmerga assumed more active combat roles and ultimately joined the front lines of the battle against IS.
In light of the continued delay in the formation a Lebanese government and the negative impact prolonged political uncertainty could have on Hezbollah, Hariri would be wise to refrain from becoming the leader of the next cabinet.
Fikra Forum
Conversations on the future of Syria have increasingly shifted to reconstruction and ‘the day after,’ with international calls for an end to the Syrian regime, significantly weakened as a result of years of war and suffering. Yet the new, apparently accepted situation that allows for the continuation of pre-2011 political regime with the toxic addition of Russia and Iran is hardly a recipe for effective reconstruction of Syria. If the United Nations has given up hope for a political solution and any serious efforts to implement one, this means that we—the Syrian people, Western influence, and international law—have lost.
Fikra Forum
October 16, 2018 — In a September meeting with local dignitaries in Libya, Field Marshal and head of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar accused the Algerian army of exploiting the state of war in order to enter Libya. Haftar’s remarks, broadcast by Al-Jazeera, have caused a wave of resentment within Algeria itself.
