Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

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

Video

Brief Analysis

Turkey's Transformation: Prospects and Limits

Two former U.S. ambassadors to Ankara joined the head of NATO LANDCOM and the author of a new book on Turkey to discuss the AKP government's foreign and domestic policies. Read a summary or watch video.

Mar 13, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay
Ben Hodges
Ross Wilson
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Algeria's Presidential Elections amid the Bickering of a Polarized Regime

Abdelaziz Bouteflika's decision to run for a fourth term blocks a historic opportunity to achieve a safe and peaceful transition of leadership.

Feb 28, 2014

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Yacine Boudhane

Brief Analysis

Implications of a Sisi Presidency

The military chief has some strong assets and likely staying power, but he will still face great pressure if he is elected as anticipated, since the benchmark for success will be his ability to satisfy an Egyptian polity filled with unrealistically high socioeconomic expectations.

Feb 28, 2014

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Adel El-Adawy

Brief Analysis

Jordan Not Out of the Woods Yet

President Obama's reaffirmed pledges of assistance to Jordan are helpful, but they may not be enough to safeguard the country if the situation in Syria continues to fester.

Feb 19, 2014

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Sisi the Invincible

Sisi's military background and his strong support from security and intelligence leaders make another coup less likely in the short term, but continued economic problems could trump even that advantage.

Feb 18, 2014

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Eric Trager
Gilad Wenig

Maps & Graphics

Infographic: Iranian Students in the United States

The rising number of Iranian exchange students presents an opportunity to revitalize U.S. public diplomacy outreach to Iran. This infographic highlights key findings of a new Washington Institute report.

Feb 14, 2014

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Steven Ditto
Larisa Baste

In-Depth Reports

Red Tape, Iron Nerve:

The Iranian Quest for U.S. Education

The rising number of Iranian exchange students presents an opportunity to revitalize U.S. public diplomacy outreach to Iran. In this new report, Steven Ditto demonstrates how lowering barriers, reaffirming America's commitment to human rights, and fulfilling past pledges can help pave the way for long-term and short-term change in Iran.

Feb 12, 2014

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Steven Ditto

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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