Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Arab Countries Support Free Speech Abroad, But Not at Home

January 29, 2015 Despite the large number of high-profile Arab officials who marched in France’s unity rally to condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, their participation was in fact more about politics than supporting freedom of expression. Many of these countries are themselves cracking down on citizens and placing

Jan 29, 2015

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Muhammad Mansour

Fikra Forum

Despite the large number of high-profile Arab officials who marched in France’s unity rally to condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, their participation was in fact more about politics than supporting freedom of expression. Many of these countries are themselves cracking down on citizens and placing severe limits on

Jan 29, 2015

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Muhammad Mansour

Articles & Testimony

Righteous Muslims, Then and Now

As the French beef up their counterterrorism units and the Americans dispatch more advisors to Iraq and Syria, the wider battle cannot be won unless more Muslims stand tall in the face of extremism, as many already have.

Jan 27, 2015

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Why Egyptians Don't Want Another Revolution

For the moment at least, many Egyptians have become so fearful of change that they are content to live with their broken state, which they view as preferable to further collapse.

Jan 26, 2015

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Eric Trager

In-Depth Reports

The Long Haul:

Rebooting U.S. Security Cooperation in Iraq

The challenge posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has created some strange dynamics, among them the shared interest of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in "degrading and defeating" the Sunni jihadist group. But this shared interest should not be viewed as an

Jan 22, 2015

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Tunisians Vote in a Runoff

While Tunisians deserve widespread recognition for achieving a peaceful transfer of power, the need for continued U.S. engagement will only increase after this weekend's ballot.

Dec 19, 2014

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Sarah Feuer

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

The Battle of Ideas 2.0: Combating ISIS Ideology at Home and Abroad

An in-depth conversation on the challenges of battling jihadist ideology in the ISIS era.

Dec 16, 2014

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Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein
Matthew Levitt
Hedieh Mirahmadi

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Saudi Cabinet Changes Suggest Domestic Discontent

The sudden removal of several ministers is most likely a response to popular dissatisfaction with the government's performance at home.

Dec 8, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Egyptian Revolution Isn't Dead Because It Never Happened in the First Place

A crucial bloc within Egypt mainly wants stability, rather than the deep institutional reforms that a true revolution would require.

Dec 4, 2014

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah: The Party of Iran, Not Lebanon

A tactical shift by Hezbollah should not be seen as a genuine change in its ideology: it was and remains the party of Iran, not Lebanon.

Dec 3, 2014

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David Daoud

Brief Analysis

Between ISIS and Iran: Bahrain Tweaks Washington

Amid electoral boycotts and continued concerns about ISIS and Iran, King Hamad has reappointed a prime minister whom Washington regards as an impediment to political progress.

Dec 1, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Tunisians Elect a President

Regardless of who enters Carthage Palace in January, a free and fair election will represent an achievement worthy of international recognition.

Nov 21, 2014

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Sarah Feuer

In-Depth Reports

Libya as a Failed State:

Causes, Consequences, Options

Is post-Qadhafi Libya destined to become a "Somalia on the Mediterranean"? Analyst Andrew Engel studies the causative factors in Libya's failed transition to democracy.

Nov 9, 2014

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Andrew Engel

In-Depth Reports

The Iraq Troop-Basing Question and the New Middle East

An examination of allegations that the Obama administration’s failure to secure a long-term U.S. troop presence in Iraq after 2011 was the "original sin" that led to the ascendance of ISIS.

Oct 31, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Reflections on Islamism: From the Muslim Brotherhood to the Islamic State

2014 Zeev Schiff Memorial Lecture

Israel's former ambassador to Egypt and Jordan discusses the changing face of Islamism for the Institute's annual lecture in honor of the late Zeev Schiff.

Oct 29, 2014

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Shimon Shamir

◆ Zeev Schiff Memorial Lectures

Articles & Testimony

President Sisi's Worldview

A former senior official at the U.S. embassy in Cairo describes how Sisi's background is shaping his approach to domestic politics, counterterrorism, Israel, and other issues.

Oct 29, 2014

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Marc Sievers

Brief Analysis

Bahrain's Ban on Main Opposition Prompts U.S. Policy Dilemma

Washington faces a stark choice between pressing for political reconciliation or jeopardizing the anti-ISIS coalition and access to important military facilities.

Oct 28, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Lessons from Versailles for Today's Middle East

The discontent and chaos in the Middle East are rooted in treaties drafted at the close of World War I.

Oct 22, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Fast-Tracking the Arab Spring in Yemen

The quick fall of Yemen's capital could push the country toward the Syrian model of sectarian strife, but it also presents an opportunity for reform led by a new political player.

Oct 9, 2014

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Abdul-Ghani al-Iryani

Brief Analysis

Elections in Tunisia: Steps Toward Democratic Consolidation

Tunisia will need U.S. support for its continuing, fragile transition away from authoritarianism.

Oct 3, 2014

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Sarah Feuer

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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Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

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Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

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