Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Saudi 'Purge' a Re-Branding Attempt to Launch a 'Second Kingdom'

Most royal family members understand that the crown prince is merely trying to stave off potential unrest, so U.S. critics should reconsider their objections to his recent moves.

Nov 19, 2017

◆

Haisam Hassanein
Wesam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Competing Visions for the Arab Future

The worldview embraced by Qatar holds that political Islamists deserve support, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE have coalesced in opposition to this fundamental premise.

Nov 14, 2017

◆

David B. Roberts

Brief Analysis

Lebanon's Prime Minister Resigns: What's Next?

Hariri's announcement could make Hezbollah and its Iranian patron more vulnerable to international pressure, particularly if the upcoming parliamentary elections do not go their way.

Nov 6, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia's 'Anti-Corruption' Purge

The shocking spate of high-profile arrests will strengthen the crown prince's political position, but the shakeup raises new concerns about the speed and style of change in the kingdom.

Nov 6, 2017

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Resetting U.S. Relations with the Kurdistan Region

Washington's post-referendum reengagement should focus on getting U.S.-Kurdish relations and Kurdish democracy back on the right track.

Nov 2, 2017

◆

Michael Knights
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Russia Makes Inroads in North Africa

While U.S. attention is focused on fires already raging in the Middle East, Russia is quietly expanding its presence in North Africa, to the detriment of U.S. interests.

Nov 2, 2017

◆

Sarah Feuer
Anna Borshchevskaya

Video

Brief Analysis

The Scoop on the Arab Street: New Polls, Taboo Topics

Three Middle East scholars explore how to measure public opinion in the region's sometimes fractious, sometimes autocratic Arab states.

Nov 1, 2017

◆

David Pollock
Michele Dunne
Ali Shihabi

Articles & Testimony

America's Radicalization Problem: It's Local

The Trump administration's focus on border security and 'terrorism prevention' is not well suited to countering homegrown attacks like the one New York just suffered.

Nov 1, 2017

◆

Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Tourism Patterns Show Turkey Shifting from Europe to the Middle East

Many Turks traditionally got their only firsthand exposure to European values by interacting with European tourists, but lately this trend seems to be weakening even as visitors from Muslim-majority or former Soviet countries are on the rise.

Oct 30, 2017

◆

Soner Cagaptay
Oya Aktas

Brief Analysis

Shia Unrest in Hezbollah's Beirut Stronghold

The group is hoping to rein in rampant social problems by allowing government authorities to crack down on its poorest constituents, but the plan could backfire amid unprecedented anti-Hezbollah riots.

Oct 30, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Saving the KRG Is Vital to U.S. and Iraqi Interests

If the Kurdish region is rolled back by federal forces or implodes into civil conflict, the consequences would threaten Iraq's constitutional structure and undercut U.S. efforts to contain Iran.

Oct 25, 2017

◆

Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Must Fulfill Role of Negotiator Between Baghdad, Kurds

To keep Iraq united and help minimize the divisive sectarianism that has characterized past elections, Washington and the UN need to push for dialogue on the KRG crisis.

Oct 20, 2017

◆

Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

How Egypt Can Help Hamas and Fatah Implement Their New Deal

The Cairo-brokered understandings can help Gaza, but their success should be judged by how Hamas and Fatah practically approach key issues, not by what they say.

Oct 18, 2017

◆

Ghaith al-Omari

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Saudi Royal Transition: Why, What, and When?

Speculation is widespread that King Salman may soon abdicate in favor of Crown Prince Muhammad, but that is just one of several possible options.

Oct 18, 2017

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The UN Action Plan for Libya: Prospects and Challenges

The success of the initiative will depend on a serious commitment from Libya's various factions, broad international support, and improvements to daily life for the public.

Oct 17, 2017

◆

Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Interpreting the Fall of Islamic State Governance

Although the cessation of governance-related media releases suggests a full retreat, IS remains active in military campaigns and eager to rise again by taking advantage of local grievances.

Oct 16, 2017

◆

Aaron Y. Zelin

Turkey and U.S. Enter Most Important Crisis in Recent Memory

Even if Erdogan strikes a deal to keep the crisis from boiling over, Washington has shown him that there are limits to U.S. tolerance of his authoritarian balancing act.

Oct 10, 2017

◆

Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Are Shia Dynamics in Iraq and Lebanon Turning Against Iran?

If Iraqi Shia reject Tehran's call for a unified bloc in next year's elections, it could have welcome implications for the future of Iranian influence in Baghdad -- and Beirut.

Oct 5, 2017

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Video

Brief Analysis

After the Kurdish Referendum: Regional Implications

Watch experts discuss the potential fallout from the September 25 independence vote in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Oct 3, 2017

◆

Michael Knights
David Pollock
Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

Is Saudi Arabia Really Changing?

A woman's right to drive has much to say about the influence of the kingdom's hardline clerics and the prospects for deep, lasting reform.

Sep 27, 2017

◆

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.

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.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts