Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

The Race for Istanbul: Erdogan’s Plan A and B

Although massive state resources have been mobilized against Imamoglu, the opposition candidate has taken up the mantle of the underdog who could challenge the status quo nationally, just as Erdogan himself did two decades ago.

Jun 10, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Ramadan Soap Operas Contradict Sisi’s Outreach to Israel

Despite Egypt’s warming relations with the Israeli government, the country’s airwaves and movie theaters are still rife with bellicose and anti-Semitic content.

Jun 7, 2019

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Haisam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Warns Sudan—and Perhaps the Saudis—About Cracking Down on Protesters

As international players compete to ease or exploit the crisis, Washington is seemingly pressuring Riyadh to end its support for brutal warlords like General Dagalo.

Jun 6, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Kurdistan Chooses a New President, But Internal Rifts Deepen

The latest step toward ending the KRG’s political gridlock obscures more-worrisome Kurdish divisions, many of which threaten wider U.S.-Iraqi security and economic interests.

May 30, 2019

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Bilal Wahab

Turkish president Erdogan - Source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Erdogan’s Failure on the Nile

How Turkey’s president went from being a regional Islamist leader in the Arab Spring to sharing Qatar’s role as the Middle East’s odd man out.

May 28, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

‘No War, No Negotiation’ Is Iran’s Stance

By holding fast to his defiant approach while stopping just short of war, Khamenei may be hoping to stall until the next U.S. and Iranian election cycles.

May 21, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Prince's Scorecard on New 'Vision' Looks Good—With Caveats

Change is certainly happening in the kingdom, but it hasn’t been smooth, and doesn’t look like it will be so in the future either.

May 12, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Why Erdogan Will Win in Istanbul, and What This Means for Turkish Democracy

Despite the opposition’s resilience, the president can use any number of legal, political, or foreign policy tools to ensure his candidate wins this time around, no matter the reputational costs.

May 7, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Khamenei’s Breaking Point: How to Get Iran Back to the Negotiating Table

The chances of extracting substantial concessions from the current regime are not great, but the odds fall to zero if Washington withholds security assurances or waits for the inevitably chaotic transition period.

May 2, 2019

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Mehdi Khalaji

President Donald Trump meeting with King Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. and Saudi Arabia Can’t Get a Divorce

Even amid growing exasperation over Riyadh’s behavior, realities on the ground and in the global economy show why the relationship is still crucial.

May 1, 2019

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Dennis Ross

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of Iraq's PMF Arrests

By highlighting the hypocrisy of recent ‘housecleaning’ campaigns, Washington can show the Iraqi public that Iran’s Shia militia networks offer no genuine solution to rampant corruption.

Apr 26, 2019

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Phillip Smyth

Brief Analysis

Proceeding with Caution in Western Sahara

Given growing uncertainties in other North African states, Washington should avoid any sudden moves on the Sahara file even as it builds on the momentum of recent talks.

Apr 23, 2019

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Sarah Feuer

Brief Analysis

An Economic Roadmap to Humanitarian Relief in Yemen

Washington should accelerate common-sense economic efforts that can help right away, even as the fraught, slow-moving UN peace process continues.

Apr 16, 2019

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Dave Harden
Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

After Bashir’s Fall, What’s Next for Sudan?

To forge a better future, the country must break the vicious cycle of military rule followed by incompetent, corrupt rule under the same tired political class.

Apr 11, 2019

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Alberto Fernandez

Brief Analysis

Algeria’s Long Buildup to Mass Protests

The main drivers of the current crisis have been in play for many years, so Washington should focus on economic and security initiatives that can help Algeria regardless of which new leaders emerge.

Apr 9, 2019

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Sabina Henneberg

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Aramco Reveals Its Financials—and More Secrets

The oil giant’s latest moves will help fund ambitious infrastructure projects, but the implications for foreign investment and economic diversification remain to be seen.

Apr 7, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

After the Islamic State, Renewed Urgency for Religious Reform

The IS “caliphate” may have perished, but its ideology and capacity for future outbreaks will persist unless more vigorous reforms are instituted.

Apr 5, 2019

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Dina Al Raffie

Articles & Testimony

Erdogan Should Seize the Chance for Change in Turkey

The president seems pragmatic enough to recognize when he is beat and refocus his efforts on normalizing the severely polarized political system.

Apr 5, 2019

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Bouteflika Resigns: Next Steps in Uncharted Territory

The accelerating pace of events calls for a careful U.S. response, since instability in Algeria could cause significant disruptions in North Africa, the Mediterranean, energy markets, and counterterrorism.

Apr 3, 2019

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Ben Fishman

Articles & Testimony

How Bibi’s Bestie at the White House Is Helping Him Win the Israeli Election

President Trump’s recent Golan announcement and photo-op with Netanyahu could draw more voters to the beleaguered prime minister’s side.

Mar 25, 2019

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Neri Zilber

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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Catherine Cleveland

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

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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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