Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Pushing Back on Iran in Syria: Beyond the ‘Boots’

Apart from its military intervention, Tehran has pursued a wide range of economic and social tactics for increasing its sway in Syria, but Washington can still push back with targeted assistance, innovative sanctions, and strategic messaging.

Jan 22, 2019

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Hanin Ghaddar
Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu’s Political and Legal Challenges in the Next Elections

For now, he is sticking with the tried-and-true formula of emphasizing his security pedigree, but looming indictments could change his campaign narrative and coalition-building strategy.

Jan 22, 2019

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Gulf Cyber Cooperation with Israel: Balancing Threats and Rights

The provision of powerful cyber tools is important for national security in the Gulf states, but it has reportedly opened the door to human rights abuses.

Jan 17, 2019

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Neri Zilber

Articles & Testimony

Pompeo’s Cairo Speech More ‘Back to the Future’ Than Break With Past

The administration should focus more on amplifying the voices of regional citizens while convincingly standing against collective threats.

Jan 16, 2019

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Ben Fishman
Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

Sending the Right Message in Cairo: Advice for Secretary Pompeo

All eyes will be on the secretary’s speech this week, so striking the right balance between President Trump’s domestic imperatives and the realities of regional policy is crucial.

Jan 7, 2019

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Soner Cagaptay
Simon Henderson
Martin Kramer
Matthew Levitt
David Pollock
Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul
Bilal Wahab

Egyptian and Israeli flags along the Sinai border

Brief Analysis

Egyptian-Israeli Citizenship Issues Are Impeding Normalization

Egyptian authorities are still using travel restrictions, intimidation, and loss of citizenship to discourage their compatriots from living in or even visiting Israel.

Jan 3, 2019

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Saudi Reshuffle Emphasizes Security and Foreign Policy

Ministerial changes seemed likely in the wake of the Khashoggi crisis, but some of the specifics came as a surprise.

Dec 28, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Ever Cagey, Netanyahu Calls an Early Election He’s Expected to Win

The Israeli prime minister looks to get out ahead of legal and security threats to his tenure.

Dec 24, 2018

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

Protests Underscore West Bank Instability

The international community can help avert future chaos through measures to stem political, economic, and security deterioration, and Washington can reinstate funding for Palestinian development projects.

Dec 21, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari
Madison Rinder

Brief Analysis

What to Watch for as Lebanon Forms a New Government

The cabinet’s composition is a fait accompli, but foreign officials may still be able to influence key security appointments—or, failing that, up the financial and diplomatic pressure on Hezbollah and its political allies.

Dec 20, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Video

Brief Analysis

Forty Years of the Islamic Republic: What Next?

What are the prospects for liberal democracy in Iran, and what can the international community do to help the ongoing protest movement? Watch video or download a full transcript of this special event.

Dec 18, 2018

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Reza Pahlavi

A Tunisian woman holds a photo of a relative who joined a jihadist movement

Video

Brief Analysis

Tunisia's Foreign Fighters

Two leading experts discuss why thousands of young Tunisians mobilized for jihad in Iraq and Syria, and what governments are doing now that they are taking their cause back home—or to the West.

Dec 17, 2018

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Jacob Walles

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

After Palermo: Achievements and Future Challenges for Libya

The Italian-sponsored stabilization conference produced some positive outcomes, but a genuine breakthrough requires U.S. involvement.

Dec 17, 2018

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Ben Fishman
Barbara A. Leaf

Brief Analysis

Sisi Restores Jewish Heritage in Egypt

His recent outreach to Jews is welcome, though it should not be mistaken for a total shift in his repressive tendencies or a sea change in the Egyptian public’s rejection of Israel.

Dec 14, 2018

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Hints of Crisis as Algeria Enters Election Mode

The country avoided the tumult of the Arab Spring, but its next election cycle will bring political, economic, and social challenges back to the fore.

Dec 12, 2018

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Abdelillah Bendaoudi

Articles & Testimony

The United States, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East in the Post-Khashoggi Era

In addition to imperiling U.S. public support for regional relationships, neglecting human rights issues can blind policymakers to the brittleness of certain partner states.

Dec 10, 2018

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

There’s No Reason Congress and Trump Can’t Achieve Their Goals for Saudi Arabia

The two branches have several means of imposing consequences and altering objectionable Saudi policies without demolishing the entire strategic relationship.

Nov 29, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

The Sectarian Significance of Bahrain’s Elections

The imminent polls will not alter the power structure of the strategically positioned Gulf state, but they could affect its simmering Shia unrest and wider regional politics.

Nov 21, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

In Israel, a Coalition of the Barely Willing

Netanyahu outmaneuvers rivals, heads off early election.

Nov 20, 2018

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Neri Zilber

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

Brief Analysis

Egypt’s Economy Rising, Rights Declining

Cairo has made progress on returning to its pre-revolution economic levels, but censorship, surveillance, and other humanitarian abuses continue to accelerate.

Nov 19, 2018

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Barak Barfi

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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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