Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Map of U.S. Army operations in Operation Torch, 1942 - source: U.S. Army

From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: Events 80 Years Ago Made the Modern Middle East

The second week of November 1942 has much to tell us about the region’s geopolitical centrality, its enduring political currents, and its role in the future of the Jewish people—not to mention the evolution of American foreign policy.

Nov 6, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Saudi men take pictures at the Al Souda mountain - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Inside Saudi Arabia: A Trip Report

After leading an extensive group visit throughout the kingdom, Washington Institute scholars offer insights from their encounters with leaders in government, religion, business, and culture.

Nov 4, 2022

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Robert Satloff
David Schenker

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

Brief Analysis

Buying Time in Baghdad? What to Expect from Sudani’s Government

The hostile and corrupt forces arrayed behind him might ease their anti-American activities just to reassert their power at home, so Washington should make the new government’s honeymoon a short one—and work around it if necessary to help the Iraqi people.

Nov 3, 2022

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Bilal Wahab

Fikra Forum

The Legacy of Lebanon’s October Revolution

Although the results of the October 2019 protests and the May 2022 elections brought hope to many Lebanese desperate for change, entrenched political deadlock and dysfunction are as bad as ever.

Nov 3, 2022

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Ibrahim Karkouti

Articles & Testimony

A Narrow Government with Ben Gvir and Smotrich Threatens US-Israel Ties

Appointing senior ministers who incite against Arabs would undermine the shared values that buttress the bilateral relationship while giving fuel to Israel’s critics in Washington.

Nov 2, 2022

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Video

Brief Analysis

Israel Goes to the Polls: The State of the Race Less Than One Week Out

Pollsters are finding little movement between the two main camps, though the dramatic rise of a new hard-right party has many observers on edge.

October 27, 2022

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David Makovsky
Tamar Hermann

Fikra Forum

Minister Allocation in Iraq’s New Government

Although ministry positions in Iraq have long been used as bartering tools, the new government could make a huge difference by supporting key ministries with real solutions and competent appointees.

Oct 27, 2022

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Nawras Jaff

Women and protesters in Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Beyond Elections:

Evolving Arab Public Opinion on Democracy and Human Rights

U.S. efforts in the region stand a better chance of success if they consider rising demand for accountable governance, skepticism about democratic institutions, and various nation-specific trends.

Oct 27, 2022

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Catherine Cleveland
David Pollock

◆ Reform, Protest, Change

Fikra Forum

Long-Awaited Coalition of Civic Minds: Democratic Forces of Change

Combining a wide range of of political views and principles, the Democratic Forces of Change hope to provide the Iraqi people with an action-driven opposition platform.

Oct 26, 2022

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Ashleigh Whelan

Fikra Forum

At the Edge of the Precipice: Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel on the Eve of the 2022 Parliamentary Election

Conflicted between a desire for political and social integration and a disillusionment with Israeli politics, Israel’s Arab population—particularly Arab youth—will be an unpredictable element in the upcoming elections.

Oct 20, 2022

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Michael Milshtein
Ilham Shahbari

Brief Analysis

Scoring Iraq’s New Government: Metrics for Preserving U.S. Interests

The protracted post-election process has been a step backward for Iraqi democracy, so Washington will need to closely monitor the new leadership’s actions and hold Baghdad to measurable benchmarks.

Oct 19, 2022

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Michael Knights

Fikra Forum

Forming a New Government in Iraq: Possible Scenarios

Although Iraq’s new government has ended the year-long deadlock, the path forward is still rife with obstacles.

Oct 18, 2022

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Munqith Dagher

Fikra Forum

As Anti-Regime Protests Swell Across Iran, Ethnic Minorities Demand Freedom and Equality

In order to create more lasting changes, the current wave of protests in Iran must be inclusive of the demands and expectations of ethnic minorities.

Oct 14, 2022

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Rahim Hamid
Ruth Riegler

Iranian men use Instagram - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Social Media in Iran’s Protests: A New Public Sphere?

Apps like Clubhouse and Instagram have greatly broadened the people’s ability to exchange ideas and even criticize the regime, but authorities have simultaneously subverted, coopted, and silenced these platforms at will.

Oct 6, 2022

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Mehdi Khalaji

Fikra Forum

Iran’s Dilemma in Managing Shiite Conflicts in Iraq

Iran has recently adopted a more hands-off approach in Iraqi politics, hoping that the internal fractures will eventually work in their favor.

Oct 6, 2022

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Firas Elias

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Militia Disinformation and the Zainab Isam al-Khazali Shooting

"Resistance" groups launched a coordinated and intentionally misleading anti-American media campaign to ease domestic pressure caused by the unrest in Iran.

Oct 5, 2022

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Iran's Ali Karimi, wearing green wristbands at a 2010 World Cup qualifier - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Celebrities, the Clergy, and Succession: Wild Cards in Iran’s Protests

By targeting celebs and financially coopting the clergy, the regime has revealed a great deal about what it sees as its greatest vulnerabilities.

Sep 30, 2022

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Mehdi Khalaji

Iranian morality police confront women in Tehran - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

How Iran’s Protests Differ from Past Movements

The unrest has shown that many young people are not only rejecting the regime, but also steering away from long-time actors such as the clergy, reformers, and dissident politicians inside and outside the country.

Sep 28, 2022

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Kuwait’s Election Offers Insights on Wider Gulf Politics

The vote and the events leading up to it reflect a system in near-paralysis rather than an example for neighbors to emulate.

Sep 28, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Saudi King Gives Up Prime Minister Role to Crown Prince

The transfer further boosts his son’s authority and could even be a prelude to an unprecedented abdication.

Sep 27, 2022

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Simon Henderson

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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Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

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Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

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