Voices
Voices from the Middle East
The Middle East greeted President Obama's Cairo speech with enthusiasm, but many cautioned that words, though welcome and encouraging, must be matched by actions to mend the relationship. To explore the issues the Muslim world hopes the U.S. administration will address, the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut commissioned eight commentaries from prominent Arab writers and policy makers. The views outline the region's top priorities and offer perspectives on how the issues shaping U.S. relations with the Middle East are perceived in their countries. They also reveal startling differences in perception between the United States and the Middle East, and shed light on deeply important regional issues.
- Resources:
- More on the Middle East
Iran
Iran's Political Divisions
As large-scale protests continue in Tehran over alleged voting irregularities in the presidential elections, Karim Sadjadpour explains on the PBS Newshour why these demonstrations are different: "in the past... demonstrations have been the people against the regime. And this time, you see unprecedented fissures amongst the revolutionary elite themselves."Peace Process
Rethinking the Peace Process
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has for the first time endorsed the creation of a Palestinian state, but with conditions that have raised scepticism among Palestinian leaders. Nathan Brown identifies a crucial condition that will need to be met before the the peace process can move forward: The United States must stop marginalizing Hamas.Lebanon
Lebanon's Political Evolution
Writing from Beirut, Paul Salem describes the pro-western March 14 coalition's success over Hizbullah as "a quiet victory for moderation and pragmatism over extremism and confrontation."- Resources:
- Coalition Building in Lebanon
- More on Lebanon
Economy
Effective Middle East Responses to the Economic Crisis
The World Economic Forum on the Middle East convened at the Dead Sea in Jordan recently to discuss how the region can weather the global financial crisis. Ibrahim Saif and Farah Choucair explain that only an urgent and coordinated response that protects the hardest hit and reignites regional growth while not compromising important long-term goals like increased transparency and stability will effectively address the problems caused by the crisis.-
June Arab Reform Bulletin
The June Arab Reform Bulletin highlights:
- likely winners in Lebanon's parliamentary elections
- surprising changes in Kuwait's parliament
- political fortunes of Iraq's Sunnis
- Yemen's southern crisis
- Morocco's upcoming local electionsPlus news from across the region, media debates, new publications and more.
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Syrian-Israeli Peace
An Israeli–Syrian peace deal is a real possibility and would have a positive effect on the Middle East and U.S. interests there. But the two sides will not reach an agreement without U.S. leadership. Paul Salem explains that the incoming administration should use a balance of pressure, incentives, and robust diplomacy to make the agreement a reality.
- Syrian-Israeli Relationship:
- Experts Discuss Syrian-Israeli Peace
- Syrian-Israeli Peace Talks and Political Deal in Lebanon
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Democracy Promotion in the Middle East: Restoring Credibility
U.S. democracy promotion efforts in the Middle East should focus on realistic political reform goals that correspond both to regional realities and the limited degree of actual U.S. influence. In her new report, Democracy Promotion in the Middle East: Restoring Credibility, Marina Ottaway identifies the most pressing issue facing Arab countries as the need for political systems that can contend with evolving socio-economic realities and provide open participation to political opposition.
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Achieving Long-Term Stability in Iraq
Discussions between the United States and Iraq over a long-term bilateral security agreement began recently, but the two sides have yet to agree on how much control Iraq will have over the American military. Iraq legislators argued at a recent Carnegie briefing that negotiations on the agreement should only occur after national reconciliation between Iraq's political parties.
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Islamist Movements at the Crossroads
Despite limited electoral success, Islamist movements in the Middle East have failed to influence policy and are criticized by their base for abandoning their religious commitments. Marina Ottaway and Amr Hamzawy explain that Islamist movements must convince their supporters that political participation is the best long-term means to affect government despite seemingly poor short-term gains.
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Building Confidence With Iran on Common Interests
Iran continues to be a critical national security challenge for the United States, despite decades of effort to change Tehran’s behavior by isolating the country politically and economically. In a new policy brief, Karim Sadjadpour explains that the relevant question is not whether to talk to Iran but how. He prioritizes U.S. engagement with Iran on six critical issues: Iraq, Afghanistan, nuclear proliferation, the Arab–Israeli conflict, energy, and terrorism.
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The Myths and Hopes for U.S. Policy After Gaza
The Obama administration will not find easily identifiable lessons and opportunities from the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, but a set of myths that may provoke early mistakes and vain hopes that are offered by some as easy ways out of current difficulties.
Gaza and the Role of Egypt: Michele Dunne testifies before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
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Transparency for Gulf Arab Sovereign Wealth Funds
As the global economic crisis deepens, Arab Sovereign Wealth Funds can overcome the concern many foreign governments harbor about accepting investment money from them by providing greater transparency about their holdings and investment strategies. Sven Behrendt explains how the international community should build the framework and institutions needed to more efficiently integrate these funds into the global financial architecture and ensure openness in the process.
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Taming Terror
A majority of Guantanamo detainees are likely to be repatriated to their home countries because there is not enough evidence to prosecute them in the United States. Rehabilitation programs can be an effective way to reintegrate former prisoners into society.
Featured Event
Ahmadinejad's Uncertain Future: Assessing Iran's Presidential Elections
On June 12 Iranians will vote in the country’s tenth presidential election since 1979. Incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will be challenged in his bid for re-election by three well-known Iranian political figures.
Resources
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Carnegie Arabic Web Portal
Carnegie’s Arabic-language resource is designed to reach new audiences and broaden access to Carnegie’s growing volume of Arabic publications.
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Arab Political Systems
Provides easily accessible baseline information about the political systems of Arab countries, and is frequently updated to provide information about reforms being introduced.
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Fact Sheet: U.S. Actors Promoting Democacy in the Middle East
This Carnegie Fact Sheet clarifies the growing and often confusing world of U.S. governmental and nongovernmental organizations that are funding and implementing democracy assistance programs in this region.