Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Amman's Showdown with the Muslim Brotherhood

By continuing to pressure the old-guard Brotherhood and cultivating more friendly Islamist factions, the palace seems intent on pursuing an ambitious counterradicalization strategy, but it still hopes to avoid a major confrontation.

Apr 6, 2016

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Iraq: Are Shia Leaders Ready for Sectarian Healing?

Recent trips to Iraq indicate that the struggle against the Islamic State has rekindled the possibility of sectarian cooperation.

Apr 5, 2016

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Iran Locks Itself Out of the International Financial System While Blaming Washington

Out-of-date Iranian banking practices and rank deception have made international banks leery of risking their reputations.

Apr 5, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

Rethinking How We Rethink Political Islam

Policymakers and scholars need to tread carefully when describing how Islamist groups relate to and influence one another in their ambitions and priorities.

Mar 31, 2016

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Jacob Olidort

Video

Brief Analysis

Terror in Europe: Combating Foreign Fighters and Homegrown Networks

Current and former officials from the United States and Europe examine next steps for counterterrorism efforts after the Brussels attacks.

Mar 31, 2016

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Matthew Levitt
Olivier Decottignies
Eric Rosand

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

Strong Team Faces High Hurdles

Given the risks associated with further economic reform, Egypt's appointment of new and highly qualified cabinet ministers will not necessarily result in new policies.

Mar 30, 2016

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Theology in Foreign Policy: ISIS in Context

An exclusively hard-power approach to stopping ISIS could embolden its followers, while soft power alone is no match for the group's theological pull, so the U.S. government will need to look more closely at how its strategies are interpreted abroad.

Mar 29, 2016

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Is Turkey Coming in from the Cold in Europe?

Ankara may have scaled back its grand ambitions in the Middle East, but is the EU ready to hold its nose in dealing with Erdogan's authoritarian administration?

Mar 28, 2016

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

My Journey Through Brussels' Terrorist Safe Haven

Police and prevention officers in the Islamist hotbed of Molenbeek are eager to step up their counterradicalization efforts, but they are running short on resources and time.

Mar 27, 2016

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Egypt Renews Its Crackdown on NGOs

By once again targeting foreign-funded NGOs, Sisi's government is reactivating the cycle of recriminations that nearly torpedoed the U.S.-Egypt relationship four years ago.

Mar 24, 2016

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Anomalies in Iran's Assembly of Experts Election

Seemingly inflated vote totals and jumbled candidate lists raise questions about the transparency of the government's official election results and turnout estimates.

Mar 22, 2016

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Patrick Schmidt

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Intensifies His Anti-Americanism to Weaken President Rouhani

The Supreme Leader used his Nowruz address to launch a strong attack on the United States and make Rouhani the scapegoat for continued American pressure, which augurs poorly for U.S.-Iranian cooperation.

Mar 21, 2016

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Does Russia's Faux Withdrawal Mean a New Crisis Is Coming?

Putin's regime is less stable than meets the eye, and Russia's future remains uncertain.

Mar 19, 2016

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Fikra Forum

The Egyptian Media, the Conflict of Agencies, and the President

Despite the wave of derision and mockery in response to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s latest discourse, the president appears determined to send a message of forbearance towards those who view him with fear and apprehension. He repeatedly delivered this message: referring to the office of the presidency, he stated

Mar 18, 2016

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Maged Atef

Brief Analysis

Using International Financial Aid to Improve Baghdad-KRG Relations

Planned financial aid packages can help prevent economic meltdown in Iraqi Kurdistan and reduce tensions between Baghdad and Erbil.

Mar 15, 2016

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

What Does It Mean To Be a Reformist in Iran?

An unprecedented combination of regional turmoil, international pressure, and authoritarian machinations have coopted the reformist movement, leading many Iranians to view the current regime as Iran's only means of survival.

Mar 10, 2016

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Reformists Apply the 'Lesser Evil' Theory to Iran's Elections

With most of their favorite candidates disqualified, the reformists embraced politicians who were little different from the hardline incumbents, raising questions about their claims of victory.

Mar 9, 2016

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Mehdi Khalaji

In-Depth Reports

Lebanon's [Un]Civil Society

This contribution, the fifth in a series exploring prospects for political reform throughout the Middle East, considers the strengths and limitations of Lebanon’s robust civil society.

Mar 4, 2016

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Third Time the Charm for Reform in Iran?

Tehran has a history of showing hints of reform to hopeful citizens and Western observers only to snatch them away in the end.

Mar 4, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Fikra Forum

The Future of the Iraqi Ba'ath Party

March 3, 2016 Could one of Iraq’s most notorious political parties make a comeback after thirteen years in exile? This may increasingly become a central question for Middle East analysts, as Ba’athists are claiming their sociopolitical platform of supporting pan-Arab causes defused sectarianism and united Iraqis around nationalistic themes. They

Mar 3, 2016

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Dani Tahrawi

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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