Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Neri Zilber

The New Palestinian Prime Minister Will Face Steep Internal Challenges

Fatah succession maneuvers, escalating tensions with Hamas, a financial crisis, and an uncertain security hierarchy will make it difficult for the incoming premier to improve the current situation.

Mar 13, 2019

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

A U.S.-Iraq Security Partnership: Avoiding the Pitfalls Just Ahead

Nationalist sentiment and Iranian pressure have led some Iraqi legislators to oppose a continued U.S. military presence, but Washington could make things much worse if it overreacts.

Mar 13, 2019

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Barbara A. Leaf
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Algeria on the Brink?

As Algiers braces for wider protests, Washington should coordinate with Arab and European allies to signal the government that it risks losing control unless it changes course.

Mar 8, 2019

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Sarah Feuer

Brief Analysis

U.S. Sanctions Are Hurting Hezbollah

To further tighten the noose, Washington should disrupt the group’s efforts to tap international aid, Lebanese ministry budgets, Syrian smuggling revenue, and other resources.

Mar 6, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Oslo’s Mangled Legacy

Despite their failures, the accords are inextricably linked with the Palestinian national movement and its associated diplomatic/security architecture, so allowing them to collapse completely could make a bad situation worse.

Mar 4, 2019

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Organizational Split and Radicalization Within Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood

Internal structural changes and ideological rifts have given rise to new strategies for legitimizing violence.

Mar 4, 2019

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Annette Ranko
Mohammad Yaghi

Syrian flag over a ruined building destroyed by bombing

Brief Analysis

Assad Needs the United States and Its Allies for Reconstruction

Damascus and its partners can’t rebuild the country by themselves amid their growing budget crunch, so Washington has leverage on key transition issues even if Assad keeps stalling.

Feb 28, 2019

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Jomana Qaddour

Brief Analysis

Repatriating Western Jihadists: The Impact of U.S. Syria Policy

Unless Washington changes its mixed message on foreign fighters and helps its European allies find practical solutions, it may soon face another mass outbreak of seasoned operatives from Syria.

Feb 27, 2019

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Matthew Levitt
Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Saudi Ambassador Switch Overshadows Important Defense Appointment

Sending a princess to head the embassy in Washington has grabbed the headlines, but her predecessor’s elevation to deputy defense minister may have greater policy and political implications.

Feb 25, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Dueling Narratives in Israel’s Election Campaign

A new political merger has distilled the campaign into a two-faction race, and each side is already crafting its message accordingly.

Feb 22, 2019

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David Makovsky

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

International Engagement in Iraq Is Tied to Military Presence

The U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State is the strongest alliance Iraq has ever enjoyed, but much of the resultant international attention and support could dissipate if forces are removed.

Feb 21, 2019

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

The Khashoggi Showdown: Executive-Congressional Dynamics and the U.S.-Saudi Relationship

The administration’s handling of the situation has exacerbated distrust among lawmakers and opened the door to wider questioning of the bilateral relationship.

Feb 19, 2019

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Dana Stroul

Video

Brief Analysis

Are Regional Leaders in Sync with Public Opinion? The Israeli-Palestinian Case

Two renowned pollsters share their latest findings and debate what surveys can tell us about the current Arab-Israeli climate.

Feb 11, 2019

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Tamar Hermann
David Pollock

A banner of Iran's former Supreme leader Khomeini

Articles & Testimony

Iran, 40 Years After Revolution, Still Looms Large in Middle East

The ball has bounced mostly in the regime’s direction since 1979, though Tehran may now be approaching the revolutionary equivalent of imperial overstretch.

Feb 11, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

As Arab Leaders Warm toward Israel and Jews, Are Arab Publics Following?

Arabs advocating a ‘peace between peoples’ still face high barriers and need help.

Feb 8, 2019

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Joseph Braude

Video

Brief Analysis

Reports from Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Capitol Hill

Middle East Policy Forecast for 2019

Three Institute scholars report on recent regional visits and U.S. legislative developments, looking ahead to the most critical policy questions in the coming year.

Feb 4, 2019

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Barbara A. Leaf
Dana Stroul
Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Here’s Why U.S. Aid to Palestinians Needs to Continue

A former ambassador to Israel and a veteran congressional staffer outline concrete steps for preserving the most crucial security and humanitarian programs.

Jan 31, 2019

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Dana Stroul
Daniel Shapiro

Articles & Testimony

Women in Saudi Society Press for Change—Some Suffer Despite Successes

Recent reforms are running up against deep-seated cultural realities, and some foreign investors and officials are not ready to forget the Khashoggi incident.

Jan 27, 2019

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

In Damning Report, UN Panel Details War Economy in Yemen

By benefiting from questionable wartime revenue streams and outright corruption, both the Houthi rebels and the U.S.-supported Hadi government are inhibiting a transition to peace.

Jan 25, 2019

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Elana DeLozier

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.

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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