Skip to main content

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Main navigation

Analysis
Experts
About
Support
Maps & Multimedia

Trending:

Military and Security
Proliferation
U.S. Policy

Israel
Palestinians
Iran

Regions & Countries

Egypt
Iraq
Iran
Gulf States
Israel
Palestinians
Lebanon
North Africa
Turkey
Jordan
Syria
Middle East

Issues

Arab and Islamic Politics
Democracy and Reform
Military and Security
U.S. Policy
Gulf and Energy Policy
Energy and Economics
Proliferation
Terrorism
Arab-Israeli Relations
Peace Process

TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية TWI Persian: فارسی Fikra Forum

Search Policy Analysis

Breadcrumb

Policy Analysis

Democracy and Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy and Reform

Filter by:

Keyword

Region

Type

Israeli politicians Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett

Israel’s Proposed Power-Sharing Government: Policy Implications and Prospects for Survival

Even if the consensus-based coalition is sworn in, the big question mark hanging over Bennett and Lapid is whether Palestinian developments or Netanyahu’s relentless opposition will produce irreconcilable internal differences.

David Makovsky

Algeria’s Economic Challenges: Opportunities for U.S. Engagement

The pandemic has exacerbated persistent structural problems in the government’s approach to foreign investment, banking reform, monetary policy, and other sectors, but Algiers may be more open to U.S. advice on such matters.

Geoff Porter

Muqawama Fake News Surrounding Qasim Muslih’s Arrest (Part 2): Release Claims

Militia Spotlight

Militias made a concerted effort to create the false impression that their colleague had been released immediately, and the claim was soon echoed by major global media outlets.

Michael Knights
Crispin Smith
Hamdi Malik

Muqawama Fake News Surrounding Qasim Muslih’s Arrest (Part 1): International Zone Claims

Militia Spotlight

The first wave of post-arrest deception operations tried to give the false impression that militias controlled the Baghdad zone containing the prime minister's residence, the U.S. embassy, and other sensitive sites.

Michael Knights
Crispin Smith
Alex Almeida
Hamdi Malik

Police walk past the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah

Articles & Testimony

Palestinian Politics Are More Divided Than Ever

Fatah and Hamas have tried every conceivable power-sharing mechanism to no avail, and many Palestinians now feel alienated from both brands of authoritarianism.

Ghaith al-Omari

An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia

Iraqi Militias Try, and Fail, to Intimidate the Government

Baghdad effectively enforced the rule of law by detaining a senior militia figure, though it still needs to arrest other murder suspects and show the public that October’s election will be safe.

Michael Knights

A pro-Assad election poster in Syria

Not (Just) Another Rigged Syrian Election: Implications for Settling the War

A panel of experts discuss the short- and long-term consequences of the 2021 presidential vote, including its potential effects on domestic opposition, regional normalization, future peace prospects, and Western policy.

Vladimir Pran
Hannah Roberts
Wael Sawah
Zahra Albarazi
Emile Hokayem
Emma Beals

Iranian presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi speaking in 2021

A Race of One? Iran Slashes Its Presidential Candidates List

The regime is seemingly removing any obstacle that might prevent Ebrahim Raisi from winning the presidency and, perhaps, succeeding Khamenei down the road, but the risk of further eroding its internal legitimacy is high.

Omer Carmi

The Tansiqiya Signals Escalation Versus the United States

Militia Spotlight

The Iraqi militia coordination committee is laying out its political and legal arguments for the removal of U.S. forces.

Crispin Smith

Syrian rebel fighters play a board game in a cafe

Stalemate in Northeast Syria: Options for Advancing U.S. Interests

In addition to clarifying its intentions and fortifying its presence in the area, the U.S. government needs to increase its focus on stability, security, and economic development.

Kenneth R. Rosen

Articles & Testimony

Achieving Sustainable Peace in Yemen

A political settlement with the Houthis is important, but no agreement can last without local buy-in and concerted efforts to rebuild Yemen’s infrastructure, institutions, and governance practices.

Elana DeLozier
Adam Baron

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

Iran’s Presidential Election Season Kicks Off: Five Takeaways

The upcoming campaign will likely focus on a three-way race between conservative Raisi, conservative-turned-pragmatist Larijani, and reformist-affiliated Jahangiri.

Omer Carmi

Articles & Testimony

How Fighting With the Palestinians Gave Israel’s Netanyahu a Political Lifeline

The most imminent threat to his rule has fizzled since the shooting began, but domestic anger toward him remains widespread.

Neri Zilber

A pro-Assad election poster in Syria

Articles & Testimony

Russia Pushes a Dangerous Narrative Ahead of Syria’s Sham Election

Moscow would have the world believe that the best route to stability is legitimizing a dictator who plunged his country into war and destabilized the entire Middle East.

Anna Borshchevskaya

Iron Dome rockets intercepting Hamas missiles over Tel Aviv

Articles & Testimony

How War With the Palestinians Triggered Ethnic Violence in Israel

In mixed towns across the country, Arab and Jewish citizens have turned on one another, with substantial implications for the government formation process and other issues.

Neri Zilber

Bahrain’s Interlocking Regional and Domestic Tensions

Manama is still grappling with the complex challenge of developing ties with Israel while coping with homegrown Shia militancy.

Simon Henderson

Distinguishing Kawader Hezbollah al-Qudama and Kataib Hezbollah

Militia Spotlight

Nouri al-Maliki is gathering various Iraqi resistance figures who fought both Saddam and the coalition, but this marginal "old timer" party is not the same as Kataib Hezbollah, which has yet to show its hand in parliamentary politics.

Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

Israeli politicians Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett

Can the Change Coalition End Israel’s Endless Election Cycle?

The diverse coalition may be able to form a viable government, but it will need to navigate carefully in light of internal political differences and Netanyahu’s presence in the opposition as a potential spoiler.

David Makovsky

Profile: Ahd Allah Islamic Movement

Militia Spotlight: Profiles

Ahd Allah Islamic Movement is a social and cultural movement built around Kataib Hezbollah ideologue Sayyed Hashem al-Haidari.

Hamdi Malik

Rehabilitating Assad: The Arab League Embraces a Pariah

Parochial interests and war fatigue are driving many member states to support premature elections and normalization with Damascus, but this approach will only consolidate Assad’s control and help him evade accountability for war crimes.

David Schenker

Pagination

Previous page
First page
Page 1
Current page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
…
Last page
Next page

Sign Up for Updates on Democracy and Reform

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, podcasts, and special reports.

1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-452-0650
Fax: 202-223-5364

Footer contact links

Contact
Press Room
Subscribe

The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.

The Institute is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax-deductible.

Footer quick links

About TWI
Support the Institute

Social media

The Washington Institute on Facebook
The Washington Institute on Twitter
The Washington Institute on YouTube
The Washington Institute on Soundcloud

© 2021 All rights reserved.

Footer

Employment
Privacy Policy
Rights & Permissions