Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

The Muslim Brotherhood Thinks It's Winning Again

Given the Brotherhood's persistent and dangerous delusion, the existential struggle that has defined Egyptian politics since Morsi's removal will likely worsen.

May 19, 2014

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Eric Trager

In-Depth Reports

Between Not-In and All-In:

U.S. Military Options in Syria

In light of the inability of diplomacy and sanctions to staunch the Syrian bloodletting, the Obama administration is reviewing its policy alternatives in Syria. This paper, and the associated briefing, provides an overview of U.S. military options, evaluating the pros and cons of each.

May 16, 2014

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Chandler Atwood
Joshua Burgess
Michael Eisenstadt
Joseph Wawro

Brief Analysis

The Riddle of Succession in the Palestinian Authority

A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the road to Palestinian succession, and potential candidates will likely have to form ad hoc alliances that result in significant policy compromises on peacemaking and other issues.

May 14, 2014

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Ehud Yaari

Video

In-Depth Reports

Syria and Its Repercussions

Before Hezbollah's massive intervention in 2013, Bashar al-Assad's forces were nearing exhaustion, Syrian Opposition Coalition chief of staff Monzer Akbik said during a panel discussion at The Washington Institute's 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference on May 8. Assad was facing a catastrophic human-resources and materiel crisis, Akbik said, which the dictator

May 8, 2014

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Monzer Akbik
Hanin Ghaddar

Video

In-Depth Reports

Strategy and Leadership: America's Core Challenges in the Middle East

Martin Indyk, U.S. special envoy for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, diagnosed the collapse of recent peace talks in a frank keynote address to the Institute's 2014 Weinberg Founders Conference. Watch his remarks and download a transcript. Also view other sessions, with speakers including Sen. Tim Kaine, former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak, and former French ambassador to Washington Jean-David Levitte.

May 7, 2014

Video

Brief Analysis

Islamists in Government: Do They Moderate Once in Power?

A senior State Department advisor and two Washington Institute scholars discuss what lessons can -- and cannot -- be drawn from the Islamist political experience in Egypt, Pakistan, Morocco, and other countries.

May 1, 2014

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Eric Trager
Haroon Ullah
Vish Sakthivel

Brief Analysis

Lebanon's Presidential Race

The thorny parliamentary process of selecting a new president could rekindle violence if it results in substantial delays or further sectarian friction.

May 1, 2014

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Assad's Reelection Campaign Matters -- Really

The Syrian president wants to impose a solution to the country's crisis on his terms.

Apr 30, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

The Candidate in His Labyrinth

Egypt's president-in-waiting says he's widely loved, so why does he sleep in an undisclosed location and fear for his life?

Apr 23, 2014

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Eric Trager

Video

Brief Analysis

The Syrian Conflict: Where Strategic Interest and Humanitarian Urgency Intersect

A former U.S. ambassador to Syria and a top aid official discuss how Washington and the international community should address the pressing humanitarian and security demands raised by the ongoing crisis.

Apr 21, 2014

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David Miliband
Robert Ford
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

I Interviewed the Accused Kansas Gunman 33 Years Ago

A 1981 encounter with Klansman Glenn Miller highlighted the rabidly violent, racist mindset that apparently led to this weekend's shooting.

Apr 14, 2014

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Robert Satloff

In-Depth Reports

Tightening the Reins

How Khamenei Makes Decisions

This new study by Mehdi Khalaji focuses on explaining the decisionmaking process within Iran's highest political echelon.

Apr 9, 2014

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Tunisia's Democratic Transition: From Contention to Consensus?

As Tunisia's Islamists reaffirm their cohesiveness, the country's contentious politics have worn out many voters and dulled their interest in democratic participation, making abstention the most likely winner of this year's elections.

Apr 8, 2014

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Habib Sayah

Articles & Testimony

Women's Education: Promoting Development, Countering Radicalism

Increasing access to quality secular education can create better jobs for women and reduce some of the economic drivers of radicalization; educated women can in turn play a pivotal role in inoculating their children and communities against the radical narratives used to recruit followers.

Apr 3, 2014

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Hedieh Mirahmadi

Brief Analysis

U.S. Strategic Dialogues with Morocco and Algeria: Take Two

Secretary Kerry's visit comes amid Morocco's efforts to expand its regional influence and an upcoming vote in Algeria.

Mar 28, 2014

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Vish Sakthivel

Brief Analysis

Egypt's New Military Brass

A closer look at how the supreme military council will operate now that Field Marshal Sisi has thrown his hat into the presidential ring, including a chart illustrating the SCAF's likely new membership.

Mar 26, 2014

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Gilad Wenig

Articles & Testimony

Turkey's Slow-Burning Alevi Unrest

To ease ongoing tensions, the AKP government needs to adopt a truly sect-blind approach, while staunchly secular communities need to allow some room for religion in the public sphere.

Mar 24, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

#TwitterBan Is Bad for Erdogan and Turkey

Turkey's leaders should acknowledge that banning social media sites is neither feasible nor conducive to developing a more advanced economy.

Mar 21, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Invisible Insurgency

Young Islamists are using Facebook to organize violent opposition.

Mar 19, 2014

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Eric Trager

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Western Foreign Fighters in Syria: Implications for U.S. CVE Efforts

Deputy Chief Zafar, a top official in the intelligence community's efforts to counter violent extremism, addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute.

Mar 14, 2014

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Shaarik H. Zafar

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

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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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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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