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Arab & Islamic Politics

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In-Depth Reports

From Hussein to Abdullah:

Jordan in Transition

Change in Jordan has come swiftly and remarkably smoothly. The new king--Abdullah II--has adopted as his mantra the promise of "continuity" of his father's policies, yet he has already displayed ingenuity and cunning, especially on internal matters. Nevertheless, the challenges to Abdullah remain acute. Once this honeymoon period ends, Abdullah

Robert Satloff

In-Depth Reports

Legal Implications of May 4, 1999

Nicholas Rostow

The Rise of Bashar al-Asad

March 8, 1999, marks the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Syrian "revolution" -- the coup d'etat that installed the Ba'th Party as the preeminent force in Syrian politics. This anniversary comes just one month after Syrian president Hafiz al-Asad was re-elected to his fifth seven-year term of office, which will end

David Schenker

Iran's Domestic Infighting Worsens

Tomorrow's municipal elections, the first ever in Iran, have been the occasion for the latest round in the infighting between Iranian hardliners and moderates. That infighting has gotten progressively worse since President Muhammad Khatami took office in August 1997, and it has stymied progress on pressing economic problems and on

Patrick Clawson

Is Islamism Dead?

The Future of Islamism in the Muslim World

The most elaborate argument that political Islam is dead first came from Olivier Roy in 1992 in his book later translated as The Failure of Political Islam. Roy argues Islamism is political activism that aims to achieve political power. He claims Islamism has been eclipsed by neofundamentalism, which is the

The Approach of a Fifth Term of Office

On February 8, 1999, the citizens of Syria will go to the polls to approve Syrian president Hafiz al-Asad's candidacy for a fifth seven-year term of office as president. The previous four terms of office -- twenty-eight years of rule since he was elected president in February 1971, after a

Jordan's Succession:

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Why change the succession from King Hussein's brother, Hassan, to his eldest son, Abdullah? The principal reason for the change appears to have been paternal loyalty taking precedence over fraternal loyalty. Rationales based on real policy differences between Hussein and Hassan should largely be discounted; if anything, the two were

Robert Satloff

In-Depth Reports

Middle East Governments on the World Wide Web

A survey of official Middle East government presence on the internet. The author describes how various governments have sought to keep up with expanding internet use while dealing with unique technical, economic, linguistic, and political obstacles to widespread access among their own citizenry. Includes tables and web links to several

Jordan's New Crown Prince, Abdullah bin Hussein

Today, Jordan's King Hussein formally decreed that his eldest son, Abdullah, would become crown prince in place of the king's brother, Hassan. Following is a brief biographical sketch of Abdullah. Born: Amman, January 30, 1962 Mother: King Hussein's second wife, Princess Muna al-Hussein (Toni Avril Gardiner) Personal status: Married to

Robert Satloff

Succession Prospects in Jordan:

Context, Options, and Implications

King Hussein's return to Amman, after six months of medical treatment in the United States, has produced not only jubilation among Jordanians at the monarch's apparent recovery but also intense speculation about impending changes in the Hashemite line of succession. At this sensitive moment -- with economic perils at home

Robert Satloff

Inside the Palestinian Authority:

Struggle between Arafat and the Legislative Council

With media attention focused on the fractious nature of Israeli politics in advance of Israel's May elections, little attention is paid to the fractious nature of Palestinians politics, which could also witness a governmental overhaul in May. Whether or not the fateful date of May 4 passes with a Palestinian

David Schenker

In-Depth Reports

Middle Eastern Minorities:

Between Integration and Conflict

Religious and ethnic minorities have significantly influenced political, economic, cultural, and ideological developments in the Middle East for the last two centuries. This Policy Paper focuses on Egypt, Sudan, and the countries of the Fertile Crescent, some of which have minority populations of 35 percent or more. The relationships of

New Media, New Politics? From Satellite Television to the Internet in the Arab World

On November 24, 1998, Jon Alterman presented the findings of his new Washington Institute Policy Paper, New Media, New Politics? From Satellite Television to the Internet in the Arab World, at the Institute's Special Policy Forum. Mr. Alterman directs Middle East activities in the U.S. Institute of Peace's Research and

Syria's Regional Relationships:

Past and Present

Geopolitical considerations have determined Syria's regional alliances. The underlying concern for every Syrian leader in making these alliances has been the attainment and the retention of power. No Syrian leader has been more successful at reaching this goal than Hafiz al-Asad. What makes this achievement even more impressive is that

In-Depth Reports

New Media, New Politics?

From Satellite Television to the Internet in the Arab World

In the last decade, a revolution has swept through the Arab world. Long accustomed to exercising control over what their publics knew and when they knew it, Arab governments are finding that new technologies based on satellites and telecommunications have given rise to new kinds of regional media that are

Jon B. Alterman

In-Depth Reports

The Palestinian Security Services:

Between Police and Army

Turkish-Syrian Relations:

A Crisis Delayed?

Despite unconfirmed reports of Syrian willingness to expel PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and close PKK bases, Turkish-Syrian tensions are likely to persist; Syria's track record of reneging on pledges to cease supporting the PKK will make Ankara skeptical about the durability of any agreement. For this reason, Turkish military action

Alan Makovsky
Michael Eisenstadt

Arab State Support to the Palestinian Authority:

Unfulfilled Expectations

Yasir Arafat received a standing ovation from the United Nations General Assembly last week when he reiterated Palestine's claim to statehood and eventual full UN membership. He had hoped to receive even more substantive backing when he asked the member-states of the Arab League to lend tangible support to the

Barry Rubin

Is Salman Rushdie a Free Man?

On September 24, 1998, just two days shy of the tenth anniversary of the original publication of Salman Rushdie's The Satanic Verses, Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharrazi made a major statement in the presence of his British counterpart: "The government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention, nor

In-Depth Reports

Iran Under Khatami:

A Political, Economic, and Military Assessment

Introduction Muhammad Khatami's surprise victory in the May 23, 1997, Iranian presidential election generated much enthusiasm at home and much interest abroad. For Iranians, the massive popular mandate -- Khatami received 70 percent of the vote with a nearly 90 percent turnout -- showed their disillusionment with the ruling establishment

Patrick Clawson
Michael Eisenstadt

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Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

David Schenker

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

Hanin Ghaddar

Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute's Rubin Family Arab Politics Program, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.

Bilal Wahab

Bilal Wahab was the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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