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Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

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Brief Analysis
Planning Beyond a Baghdad-Kurdistan Budget Deal
Iraq’s bloated 2023 budget has created space for the Kurds to get a share of the wealth this year, but preparing for the next leap to permanent solutions is more important.
Mar 24, 2023
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  • Michael Knights
Muhandis company launch event leadership attendeees
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How to Use Militia Spotlight: Profiles
The profiles are a repository of institutional memory on the various armed groups, facade groups, and social organizations associated with Iraqi militias, to be used as concise reminders of how these entities are connected.
Mar 24, 2023
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  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Lebanon Flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Can Federalism Work in Lebanon?
For those promoting federalism in Lebanon, a historical analysis of the country's geographic and ethnosectarian divisions demonstrates the necessity of inclusive discussion and collective engagement.
Mar 20, 2023
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  • Robert Rabil
An Iraqi member of a Shia PMF militia
Articles & Testimony
Remaking Iraq: How Iranian-Backed Militias Captured the Country
The slow-rolling regime change focused on capturing U.S.-supported institutions and turning them against U.S. interests, highlighting the threat that motivated, well-funded groups pose to developing democracies.
Mar 20, 2023
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  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
How Iraqis View Life after the Fall of Saddam—Twenty Years Ago and Today
Two decades after the fall of Saddam Hussein, widespread frustration with the current state of Iraq is leading increasing numbers to express a negative view of life in the post-Saddam era in public opinion polling.
Mar 19, 2023
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  • Munqith Dagher
Articles & Testimony
Neglect for Human Rights Helped Produce the Crisis in Tunisia
Rampant corruption and economic instability facilitated Saied’s takeover, but Western governments need to recognize that these ills stem from deeper human rights problems such as unchecked police brutality, erosion of freedoms, and lack of respect for due process.
Mar 17, 2023
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  • Sabina Henneberg
Kemal_Kılıçdaroğlu_
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Turkey’s Opposition, Straining at the Seams
The opposition in Turkey face numerous difficulties in the lead up to elections, as internal disputes may undermine their success.
Mar 16, 2023
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  • M. Bahadırhan Dinçaslan
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Electoral Law: Signaling a Short-Lived Run for Iraq’s Independent MPs?
A change to the Sainte-Laguë representation system will significantly hinder the ability of smaller parties and independent candidates to win seats in Iraq's next elections.
Mar 16, 2023
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  • Ashleigh Whelan
  • Mohanad Adnan
Articles & Testimony
Four Possible Scenarios for Tunisia’s Political Crisis
As waves of protest rock the country following mass arrests of political opponents, what will happen next?
Mar 14, 2023
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  • Karim Mezran
  • Sabina Henneberg
Video
Brief Analysis
Breaking Through the Fog of War:
The Challenges and Responsibilities of Reporting Under Fire in 2023
Watch a webcast with veteran journalists who've reported on the frontlines of different warzones, including the current conflict in Ukraine.
March 16, 2023
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  • Missy Ryan
  • Tracy Wilkinson
  • Deborah Amos
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Palestinians throw stones near the West Bank border with Israel.
Brief Analysis
Youth Frustrations, PA Legitimacy Crisis Are Amplifying West Bank Violence
The PA’s weakening grip over its territory, coupled with the rise of a young generation frustrated with their political leaders, has helped accelerate the vicious cycle of Palestinian attacks and IDF crackdowns.
Mar 14, 2023
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  • Moran Stern
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Saied’s Tunisia Is Politicizing Counterterrorism Again
His government is using CT tools to go after the political opposition, but the ongoing lull in jihadist activity may give Washington some breathing room to press him on these issues.
Mar 9, 2023
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Protesters wave flags and placards in front of the Knesset to demonstrate their opposition to judicial reforms proposed by the coalition government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
The National Security Implications of Israel's Judicial Debate
A panel of former senior Israeli officials discusses how the convulsive domestic debate may affect vital issues related to military preparedness, Iranian nuclear advancement, Palestinian terrorism, and more.
Mar 8, 2023
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  • David Makovsky
  • Shimrit Meir
  • Yaakov Amidror
  • Uzi Dayan
  • Zohar Palti
Articles & Testimony
It Is Time for a New Hezbollah Policy
Growing domestic blowback presents a strategic opportunity to alter the balance of power in Lebanon, shrink Iran’s long-range influence, and promote true political diversity within the Shia community.
Mar 7, 2023
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  • Hanin Ghaddar
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Currency Collapse May Not Lead to Diplomatic Desperation
The rial keeps plummeting, but policymakers should not assume this will spur Tehran to scale back its nuclear negotiating demands.
Mar 7, 2023
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  • Henry Rome
New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the first regular session of the Council of Ministers in Baghdad in November 2022 - source: Reuters
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Iraq’s Endless Electoral Law Debate
The Coordination Framework is poised to yet again change Iraq's electoral law, continuing a history of such changes that have destabilized and delegitimized the political system.
Mar 2, 2023
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  • Feyzullah Tuna Aygün
EJ
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Militia Digital Media Avoid Domain Seizure and Blocking
Outlets run by terrorist groups Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba continue to modify their domain names and social media brands to dodge shutdowns.
Mar 2, 2023
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  • Ranw Hassan
◆ Militia Spotlight
هيئة تحرير الشام
Articles & Testimony
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Imagined Communities in Its Proto-State
The jihadist group has been releasing upbeat online briefs about various locales under its control, seemingly aiming to unite residents in northwest Syria and soften its image abroad.
Mar 1, 2023
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Sarah Cahn
Turkish president Erdogan - Source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Turkey’s Disaster—and Erdogan’s: How the Earthquake Could Spell the End of His Rule
The president might find the current situation ominously similar to two decades ago, when a combination of devastating natural disaster and deep public dissatisfaction swept his Islamist faction to power.
Mar 1, 2023
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  • Soner Cagaptay
Brief Analysis
To Prevent the PA from Unraveling, Address Internal Reform
Reversing the dangerous trends in Palestinian domestic dynamics is a complicated undertaking, but failure to address these issues will ultimately hobble any diplomatic and security understandings reached on West Bank de-escalation.
Feb 28, 2023
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  • Ghaith al-Omari

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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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Featured experts

Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland is The Washington Institute's Croft-Wagner Family Fellow and editor of Fikra Forum.
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman is a Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics.
David Pollock
David Pollock
David Pollock is the Bernstein Fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on regional political dynamics and related issues.
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