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Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

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Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
NATO Membership for Sweden: Between Turkey and the Kurds
With the NATO summit approaching, Sweden is now caught between Turkey’s demands and its own complicated domestic politics.
Jun 27, 2022
◆
  • Magnus Norell
Brief Analysis
Israel Likely Headed to Another Election: Outlining the Political Battle Ahead
Following Prime Minister Bennett’s resignation, an expert assesses the coalition’s prospects of finding a more viable configuration—and Netanyahu’s chances of completing his return to power.
Jun 24, 2022
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  • David Makovsky
 Ali Khamenei and Muqtada al-Sadr
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Why did the Sadrists Withdraw from the Iraqi Political Process?
The current stalemate in Iraq may lead to a complete collapse of its political institutions and prompt the international community to intervene if domestic political actors fail.
Jun 23, 2022
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  • Mohanad Faris
Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia
Articles & Testimony
Engaging the Saudis Does Not Require Biden to Forgo Our Concern for Human Rights
The president will still be able to set boundaries with Riyadh—while also addressing other major issues such as national security, rampant energy costs, and normalization with Israel.
Jun 22, 2022
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  • Dennis Ross
Brief Analysis
Rhetoric Meets Reality in Jawlani’s Push for Self-Sufficiency
As a key UN vote approaches, Washington should push Turkey to help promote a diverse, balanced economy in HTS-controlled northwest Syria.
Jun 8, 2022
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Video
Brief Analysis
The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq
On the anniversary of the Kurdish region’s first election, three experts take stock of the bilateral relationship and internal political and economic challenges.
May 23, 2022
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  • Bilal Wahab
  • Amberin Zaman
  • Vance Serchuk
◆ The KRG Turns Thirty
Video
Brief Analysis
Hezbollah-Shia Dynamics and Lebanon's Election: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications
On the eve of the election, two Lebanese experts joined a former U.S. official to discuss the prospects for widening the cracks in Hezbollah’s core Shia constituency.
May 18, 2022
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  • Hanin Ghaddar
  • Bashshar Haydar
  • David Schenker
A Lebanese protester holds a sign denouncing Iranian influence
Brief Analysis
What Hezbollah’s Parliamentary Loss Means for Lebanon
The voting results provide even more hope for change than meets the eye, though the winners will need international help to prevent Hezbollah from obstructing the next steps.
May 16, 2022
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  • Hanin Ghaddar
Hassan Daqou
Brief Analysis
Dethroning Lebanon’s “King of Captagon”
A major international drug smuggler with close ties to Hezbollah has continued threatening Lebanese residents and helping the Assad regime next door, giving Washington ample cause to intervene.
May 9, 2022
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  • Lauren Fredericks
Leaders of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
Maps & Graphics
In-Depth Reports
The Age of Political Jihadism:
A Study of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
The Syria-based group now functions more like a government than a nonstate actor, portending a reorientation for the larger jihadist movement.
May 9, 2022
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  • Aaron Y. Zelin
Articles & Testimony
We Can’t Face Down Putin Alone
Some potential allies in the Middle East may not be democracies, but they're not revisionist states either, so the United States cannot afford to write them off.
May 6, 2022
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  • Dennis Ross
A supporter of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda Party protests against the Tunisian president's 2022 coup - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Promoting Stability and Reform in Tunisia
A frozen democratic transition and widening economic uncertainty mark the ongoing national crisis, so Washington will need to make careful use of sticks and carrots in supporting open governance.
May 3, 2022
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  • Sabina Henneberg
Biden, Jordan's King Abdullah, Crown Prince Hussein
Brief Analysis
A Longer and Stronger Deal for Jordan
The kingdom can only transition from its crisis footing to a period of sustained economic growth if it receives more assistance over the coming period.
Apr 27, 2022
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  • Ben Fishman
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett at a cabinet meeting in 2022 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Political Tempest in Israel: Can Bennett Right the Ship?
His coalition is just one lost seat from being legislatively hobbled or even ousted altogether, leaving him and his allies in Washington with little time for essential damage control.
Apr 11, 2022
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  • David Makovsky
Pakistani men watch a televised address by Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 31, 2022 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
The Clock Runs Out on Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister
Things to watch going forward include Islamabad’s relationship with traditional cash source Saudi Arabia and its geopolitical posture toward Iran and Afghanistan.
Apr 11, 2022
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  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
Kurdish Infighting Could Undermine a Sovereign Iraqi Government
Shortsighted squabbles between the KDP and PUK may soon wind up sending the country back to elections—and the threat of Iranian political domination.
Apr 5, 2022
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  • David Schenker
Brief Analysis
Ukraine Invasion Ushers in Algeria’s Return
Although the wave of Western overtures is understandable, Algeria is unlikely to make up for Europe’s energy supply gaps or take other actions that give the appearance of choosing sides.
Mar 28, 2022
◆
  • Geoff Porter
Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking
Brief Analysis
Khamenei Declares His New Year’s Resolutions for Iran
His Nowruz speech largely sidestepped foreign policy and the nuclear negotiations, instead focusing on his vision for making the country more self-reliant via a knowledge-based economy.
Mar 22, 2022
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  • Omer Carmi
Brief Analysis
The Baghdad-Kurdistan Energy Arena: Policy Opportunities
Washington has many good options for avoiding a Kurdish economic meltdown and turning Iraq’s internal energy dispute into a net win for all players, but it must pursue them quickly.
Mar 22, 2022
◆
  • Michael Knights
Brief Analysis
U.S. Public Diplomacy in Iran: Cutting Costs, Improving Impact
A more effective (and cost-effective) approach would give Iranians the tools they need to bypass regime monitoring, pare down low-impact television programming, and emphasize popular mobile apps.
Mar 21, 2022
◆
  • Arash Aalaei
  • Mehdi Khalaji

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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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Featured experts

Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland is The Washington Institute's Croft-Wagner Family Fellow and editor of Fikra Forum.
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman is a Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Program on Arab Politics.
David Pollock
David Pollock
David Pollock is the Bernstein Fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on regional political dynamics and related issues.
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