Iraq
Iraqi Elections 2010
The U.S. military has made contingency plans to delay the withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq in response to growing concerns about political instability in the lead-up to and aftermath of Iraq’s March 7 parliamentary elections. Carnegie presents a frequently updated analysis of the major political developments of these historic elections.
U.S.-Israel
Israel’s Challenge to the U.S.
Israel's announcement on Tuesday during Vice President Biden's visit that it will build additional Jewish housing in East Jerusalem has strained relations between the United States and Israel and threatened the renewal of peace talks. Writing in the New York Times, Michele Dunne explains that the incident has inflamed ill will and distrust, and Nathan Brown says that the flare-up over building in Jerusalem masks deeper problems that will complicate negotiations.
Egypt
Egypt’s Political Future
Over the next year, Egypt will hold three important elections. Amr Hamzawy and Nathan Brown explain that the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood’s reduced political engagement and increased focus on its traditional religious, educational, and social agenda may mark the loss of an opportunity for a more pluralistic political system in Egypt. Marina Ottaway describes how the elections stand no chance of changing the distribution of power in the country.
Yemen
What Comes Next in Yemen?
Policy makers are scrambling to respond decisively to Yemen’s instability after the failed Christmas Day attack on a U.S. passenger jet was tied to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. In the first of a new Carnegie series, Yemen: On the Brink, Sarah Phillips explains that there are limits to how much foreign intervention can accomplish. Yemen’s political system needs to become less centralized and more inclusive.
Turkey
Turkey: Regime in Crisis
The recent arrest of forty-nine high-ranking former Turkish military officers is the latest in a series of escalating conflicts between Turkey’s powerful secular military establishment and the Islam-influenced government. Henri Barkey explains that Turkey’s constitution, imposed by the military in 1982, must be redrafted if the country is to break out of the cycle of military and judicial interventions in Turkish politics.
- More on Turkey:
- The Armenian Genocide Resolution is a Farce All Around
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Iran's Political Stock—A Short Sell
On February 11, Iran will marked the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution with a resilient opposition movement, its population divided, and the threat of international sanctions. Karim Sadjadpour analyzes the situation on the ground in Iran, the strength of the opposition movement, and the legitimacy and long-term stability of the Iranian regime.
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Guantanamo's Impact on U.S. National Security
President Obama’s self-imposed deadline for closing the U.S. military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay has passed. Christopher Boucek outlines the reasons why the administration missed the deadline, the importance of Guantanamo on broader U.S. counterterrorism objectives, and the options for a long-term solution.
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Understanding Cyperspace as a Medium for Radicalization and Counter-Radicalization
Given the prominent role of the internet in propagating and perpetuating violent Islamist ideology, identifying methods to short-circuit internet radicalization has become an urgent goal for numerous countries, including Saudi Arabia.
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Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb—an Algerian jihadi group—garnered worldwide media exposure after its 2007 attacks in Algeria. Jean-Pierre Filiu explains that the failure of al-Qaeda in the Maghreb to transform itself into a North Africa-wide organization is the result of the Algerian government’s more effective military strategy and the collapse of al-Qaeda in Iraq.
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Middle East Democracy Promotion Is Not a One-way Street
President Obama is under pressure to relaunch the political reform agenda in the Middle East, but low U.S. credibility and the region’s political stagnation leave little hope that typical methods will be successful. Marina Ottaway explains that the Obama administration must engage in a new type of dialogue with the region, one modeled after the process used to improve relations with the Soviet bloc, if it wants to have any chance of impacting political reform in the Middle East.
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Iran, the United States, and the Gulf: The Elusive Regional Policy
Engagement with Iran has been one of the centerpieces of President Obama’s foreign policy agenda. Marina Ottaway explains that any effective U.S. diplomatic approach to Iran must involve other Gulf nations. A normalization of relations between Tehran and its neighbors is an important and attainable step for reintegrating Iran into the international community.
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Getting to Pluralism: Political Actors in the Arab
The imbalance of power in Arab countries allows regimes to stay in control virtually unchallenged by non-violent opposition groups. Without a break in the stalemate between the key players democratization is impossible. Getting to Pluralism: Political Actors in the Arab World, a new book edited by Marina Ottaway and Amr Hamzawy with contributions by Michele Dunne, analyzes the political stagnation entrenched across the region.
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Yemen: Terrorism's Newest Front Line?
Yemen’s multiple economic and security problems transcend the threat posed by al-Qaeda. Without immediate involvement on the part of the international community to address Yemen’s many crises, the country risks becoming a failed state.
Featured Event
Labor Protest Politics and Worker Rights in Egypt
Since 2004, Egypt has experienced more than 1600 labor protests, which have dwarfed political protests in scale and consequence. What are the political ramifications of increased labor unrest? Are the labor movements a harbinger for a more active and mobilized Egyptian society?
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.