Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

A bread seller in Cairo walks past a sign promoting President Sisi - source: Reuters

Egypt’s Economic Freefall Provides an Opening for U.S. Assistance—and Leverage

Given the tall task of managing public dissent and meeting IMF reform requirements without angering his military base, President Sisi may be more willing to shift his problematic stances on human rights and foreign policy.

Jan 26, 2023

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Ben Fishman

Video

Brief Analysis

Civil Society in Tunisia: Resetting Western Policy Expectations

Three experts discuss the relevance and focus of Western efforts to nurture reform in post-revolutionary Tunisia amid recent democratic backsliding by President Saied.

Jan 25, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg
Amy Hawthorne
Jean-Louis Romanet Perroux

Tunisian demonstrators outside the general union building (UGTT), June 2022

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Civil Society in Tunisia:

Resetting Expectations

Reduced U.S. support need not mean abandoning Tunisians or democratization, and can center on directing limited funds more intentionally.

Jan 23, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg

Fikra Forum

Between the Lines: Understanding the Houthi Employment Code of Conduct

Since the failure of international efforts to renew the ceasefire in Yemen this past November, the Houthi movement has—with increasing speed—spread its influence and dominance over the men and women living under its control.

Jan 15, 2023

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Laila Lutf Al-Thawr

Fikra Forum

Iranian Daughters: Struggling for the Rights Their Mothers Lost in the Revolution

Activists fighting for women's rights in Iran today have learned from their predecessors' mistakes and are more determined than ever to achieve gender equality.

Jan 13, 2023

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Sepideh Zamani

Brief Analysis

Iran’s New Budget Perpetuates Economic Challenges

The president is proposing de facto cuts to salaries and subsidies as well as more money for the military, while avoiding the tough reforms Iran’s economy needs.

Jan 12, 2023

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Henry Rome

Articles & Testimony

Israel’s Power Shift: To Bibi, or Not to Bibi

Once Netanyahu finds a way out of his legal troubles, he stands a realistic chance of balancing the demands of his most militant coalition partners with the expectations of the wider Israeli, Arab, and international community.

Jan 12, 2023

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David Pollock

Women and a child walk near Kabul, Afghanistan - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Repeating the Past or Following Precedent? Contextualising the Taliban 2.0’s Governance of Women

A twenty-first-century return to the group’s past gender apartheid is a distinct possibility, potentially threatening Afghan women’s rights, the survival of vulnerable ethnic groups, and the country’s broader security and prosperity.

Jan 12, 2023

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Gina Vale
Devorah Margolin
Farkhondeh Akbari

Brief Analysis

To Ease Syria’s Energy Crisis, Assad Must Return to the Negotiating Table

Washington can help alleviate the country's fuel crisis, but only if Damascus and Moscow agree to extend the cross-border aid mechanism and resume progress toward a final political settlement.

Dec 22, 2022

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Andrew J. Tabler
Erik Yavorsky

Brief Analysis

Hamas at 35

A look back at the group’s track record and unchanging core ideology shows why its gestures toward democracy and inclusivity should not be mistaken for true moderation.

Dec 21, 2022

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Devorah Margolin

Fikra Forum

PUK and KDP: A New Era of Conflict

As divisions between the PUK and KDP grow, the Kurdistan region stands to lose its economic and political stability.

Dec 21, 2022

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Nawras Jaff

Fikra Forum

New Egyptian Opinion Poll: Continued Dissatisfaction with Government Performance, Almost Half Reject Mass Protests, and Mixed Views on Foreign Relations

The most recent poll results from Egypt suggest a disconnect between public opinion and pubic policy, especially on economic concerns and relations with Israel.

Dec 21, 2022

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Private Sean Rooney, an Irish soldier killed while serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon - source: Government of the Republic of Ireland

Brief Analysis

Expect More Violence If Hezbollah Isn’t Held Accountable for Murdering an Irish Soldier

Whether the group is pulling the trigger itself or inciting others to do so, its brazen disregard for Lebanese civil authority, international law, and Israeli redlines has reached a new low.

Dec 20, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Fikra Forum

New UAE Poll Shows Nuance on Domestic Issues; Growing Public Uncertainty over U.S. Relations; Split Views of Iran & Israel

Although many results are consistent with past polling, the most recent Emirati survey reveals interesting perspectives on Iran, the economy, and other issues.

Dec 20, 2022

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Catherine Cleveland

Fikra Forum

New Lebanon Opinion Poll Shows Continued Internal Dissatisfaction and Desire for International Partners

Lebanese respondents expressed positive views of the maritime deal and World Cup in Qatar, but seemed disappointed by almost everything else.

Dec 20, 2022

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Frances McDonough

Leaders assemble for the France-sponsored Baghdad Conference in August 2021 - source: Government of Iraq

Brief Analysis

A Baghdad Summit in Amman: Implications for Regional Stability

The French-sponsored event could be a welcome starting point for wider cooperation between Iraq’s new government and its Arab neighbors—particularly Jordan—but only time will tell whether agreements made there come to fruition.

Dec 19, 2022

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Louis Dugit-Gros
Ghaith al-Omari
Bilal Wahab

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll: Some Surprises on the U.S., Iran, Israel, Oil, and More

Saudis voiced their thoughts on global partners, internal dynamics, and regional issues, including opinions on the Iranian protests and nuclear dilemma.

Dec 16, 2022

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David Pollock

Fikra Forum

Activist Haidar al-Zaidi’s Prison Sentence and Growing Pressures on Iraqi Activists

Despite claiming to defend free speech, the Iraqi government is increasingly targeting critics and protestors with arrests and lengthy jail sentences.

Dec 16, 2022

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Azhar Al-Rubaie

U.S. and Algerian flags at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers - source: U.S. government

Brief Analysis

Bolstering U.S.-Algeria Relations Amid the Africa Leaders Summit

At a time when Algerian military cooperation with Russia is growing and African counterterrorism challenges are proliferating, Washington cannot afford to take the relationship for granted.

Dec 15, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg

Biden Summit for Democracy 2021, Tunisia media protesters, Egyptian democracy workshop

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Reexamining U.S. Aid to the Middle East:

Ideas for Advancing Both Governance and Democracy

Massive U.S. investment has failed to improve outcomes since the Arab Spring uprisings. A more targeted, sensitive approach could yield better results and promote regional stability.

Dec 14, 2022

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Ben Fishman

◆ Reform, Protest, Change

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 is The Washington Institute's Croft-Wagner Family Senior Fellow and managing editor of Fikra Forum.

Ben Fishman

Ben Fishman is the Steven D. Levy Senior Fellow in the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute, where he focuses on North Africa.

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