Skip to main content
TWI logo The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
logo
wordmark
Homepage

Main navigation

  • Analysis
  • Experts
  • About
  • Support
  • Maps & Multimedia
Trending:
  • Military & Security
  • Proliferation
  • Israel
  • Iran
  • Lebanon
  • Syria

Regions & Countries

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

Issues

  • Arab & Islamic Politics
  • Arab-Israeli Relations
  • Democracy & Reform
  • Energy & Economics
  • Great Power Competition
  • Gulf & Energy Policy
  • Military & Security
  • Peace Process
  • Proliferation
  • Terrorism
  • U.S. Policy
TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

Breadcrumb

  • Policy Analysis

Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Filter by:

Brief Analysis
Pandemic Could Change Iran’s Model of Supreme Leadership Forever
With the IRGC spearheading the containment effort, the clergy shooting itself in the foot, and the regime widening its cyber-repression, Iran is ripe for an evolution in which Khamenei or his successor give way to de facto military rule.
Apr 17, 2020
◆
  • Mehdi Khalaji
Brief Analysis
Don’t Blame the Mossadeq Coup for Iran’s Anti-Americanism
Close analysis of Iranian history textbooks indicates that not even the regime regards the 1953 coup as a seminal event in souring bilateral relations.
Apr 15, 2020
◆
  • Jonathan Sameyach
Articles & Testimony
‘Legitimacy’ Protecting Yemen’s President Complicates Process of Replacing Him
Finding an acceptable process to install a new transitional leader is hard; finding a person with the requisite legitimacy to play that role may be harder still.
Apr 15, 2020
◆
  • Elana DeLozier
Brief Analysis
Opposing an IMF Loan to Iran: Not an Outlier, Not a Barrier to Aid
Washington often objects to loans that it deems insufficiently rigorous, but its blocking attempts usually fail—and Iran has no need for the funds anyway.
Apr 14, 2020
◆
  • Patrick Clawson
Brief Analysis
Qaani’s Surprise Visit to Baghdad and the Future of the PMF
The commander’s trip was aimed at uniting Shia militias against the United States and domestic political rivals, but facts on the ground show that the post-Soleimani Qods Force is losing its touch in Iraq.
Apr 10, 2020
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
  • Hamdi Malik
Brief Analysis
Iraq Goes from Zurfi to Kadhimi: U.S. Policy Implications
If Kadhimi’s nomination goes through, it would be good news for Iraq, but Washington’s troubled relationship with Baghdad still needs a radical strategic reset.
Apr 9, 2020
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
By Mobilizing to Fight Coronavirus, the IRGC Is Marginalizing the Government
From establishing new provincial headquarters to deploying hundreds of thousands of troops and militia personnel on emergency duty, the Guards are seemingly using the crisis as an opportunity to expand their power at the local level.
Apr 8, 2020
◆
  • Saeid Golkar
Brief Analysis
Syria’s Three Governments Confront the Coronavirus
The rebel administration in Idlib and the Kurdish-led government in the northeast have been more proactive and transparent than the Assad regime, but their populations still need urgent, direct international aid—without the UN’s imprimatur if necessary.
Apr 1, 2020
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
  • Oula A. Alrifai
Brief Analysis
Hezbollah’s Corona Quagmire: An Opportunity to Empower the LAF
Now that Hezbollah realizes its efforts to hide virus cases won’t work anymore, Washington should urge Beirut to put LAF medical and border-control personnel to work without resorting to a full state of emergency.
Mar 31, 2020
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Articles & Testimony
U.S. Policy in the Middle East Amid Great Power Competition
Viewing regional issues through this broader strategic lens will require Washington to accept painful trade-offs and take a tougher stance with difficult allies.
Mar 30, 2020
◆
  • Michael Singh
Brief Analysis
How to Serve U.S. Interests by Saving Kurdistan’s Economy
Unless Washington intervenes with cost-effective, forceful measures, Iraqi Kurdistan could be the first Middle Eastern economy to implode under the pressure of coronavirus and low oil prices.
Mar 30, 2020
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
Gantz’s Gamble
In the name of Israeli unity, the former Blue-White leader has opted to detonate his bloc and allow Netanyahu to remain in power until next year, with uncertain consequences for domestic politics, West Bank annexations, and other issues.
Mar 27, 2020
◆
  • David Makovsky
In-Depth Reports
The Outlook for Turkish Democracy:
2023 and Beyond
Over nearly two decades, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan has managed to strengthen his hold on power despite numerous political reconfigurations. With the next presidential election scheduled for 2023, many figures within his camp are already maneuvering for leverage while the opposition mulls how to defeat him. Among his potential rivals
Mar 26, 2020
◆
  • Nick Danforth
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
A Year Since Baghuz, the Islamic State Is Neither Defeated nor Resurging (Yet)
Although attack statistics have declined, the continued lack of stable governance in Diyala and Deir al-Zour shows that Washington and its partners have not absorbed the lessons provided by previous insurgencies.
Mar 25, 2020
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Benjamin Netanyahu
Brief Analysis
Israel’s Political Battle Goes to Court
The dispute over voting for a new speaker of parliament is the latest front in determining who will form the next government, with the Supreme Court entering the fray as Netanyahu maneuvers to stay in power.
Mar 24, 2020
◆
  • David Makovsky
Brief Analysis
Khamenei’s Nowruz Speech in a Time of Coronavirus
His remarks focused on inspiring the nation to stay strong in the face of the crisis while refusing to trust U.S. aid, though without mentioning his normal laundry list of foreign policy issues.
Mar 23, 2020
◆
  • Omer Carmi
Video
Brief Analysis
The U.S. Role in Idlib and Beyond: Perspectives from Syria
How can the United States mitigate the worsening humanitarian crisis in Idlib, and what do Syrian activists on the ground want from Washington?
Mar 20, 2020
◆
  • Raed al-Saleh
  • Omar Alshogre
  • Rajaa Altalli
  • Naomi Kikoler
Articles & Testimony
Coronavirus in the Holy Land: Israel Has Been Ready for a Crisis Such as This
Fortress Israel raised its drawbridges early, though its resultant economic and political outlook is just as uncertain as the rest of the world’s.
Mar 20, 2020
◆
  • Neri Zilber
Articles & Testimony
How Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia’s Message Framing Primed Its Members to Become Recruits for the Islamic State
By the time IS came to the fore in Iraq and Syria, many of its themes and activities were already second nature to Tunisian jihadis who had heard similar messaging at home.
Mar 19, 2020
◆
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Brief Analysis
Giving Iraq’s Next Prime Minister Space to Succeed
As the next well-qualified, Iraqi-chosen candidate navigates the delicate ratification process, Washington can avoid disrupting his efforts by temporarily ignoring militia provocations and providing quiet, symbolic support where needed.
Mar 17, 2020
◆
  • Michael Knights

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • First page « First
  • …
  • Page 25
  • Page 26
  • Page 27
  • Page 28
  • Current page 29
  • Page 30
  • Page 31
  • Page 32
  • Page 33
  • …
  • Last page Last »
  • Next page Next ›
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.

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

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, and special reports.

Sign up

Featured experts

Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland is The Washington Institute's Croft-Wagner Family Senior Fellow and managing editor of Fikra Forum.
Ben Fishman
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.
Background image with TWI branding
logo
wordmark
Homepage

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
  • Alumni

Social media

  • The Washington Institute on Facebook facebook
  • The Washington Institute on X x
  • The Washington Institute on YouTube youtube
  • The Washington Institute on LinkedIn linkedin

© 2025 All rights reserved.

Footer

  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rights & Permissions