Analysis: Foreign Aid Funds Technology to Protect Protesters
Writing in the Los Angeles Times, Doyle McManus argues that as "Congress is getting ready to make deep cuts in federal spending, including foreign aid, one program it ought to spare" is the State Department's funding of Internet and ...
September 19, 2011
Category: Congress, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Protests, Syria, Technology, US foreign policy
Turkey Seeks “Axis of Democracy” with Egypt
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu envisioned an "axis of democracy" in the region by aligning with Egypt. He said “this will not be an axis against any other country — not Israel, not Iran, not any other country, ...
State Dept. Releases International Religious Freedom Reports
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report, stating that "it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Algeria, Bahrain, Civil Society, Egypt, Freedom, Iran, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, US politics
POMED Notes: “Tweeting the Arab Revolution”
On Thursday, the Project on Middle East Political Science held a discussion with Sultan al-Qassemi, a columnist based in the U.A.E., well-known for his tracking of the events of the Arab Spring via Twitter, to explore the powers and pitfalls of social media during revolution. Marc Lynch, Director of the Middle East Studies Program at the Elliott School of International Affairs and author of the blog "Abu Aardvark," introduced al-Qassemi. ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Bahrain, DC Event Notes, Egypt, Freedom, Protests, Technology, Tunisia, UAE
Analysis: Washington’s Influence Waning in Egypt; Turkey Must Choose Sides
Writing for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, David Schenker asserts that the influence of Washington is becoming less of a factor in revolutionary Egypt. The U.S. government is not only having trouble with Egypt's new political rulers, but is ...
Egypt: Emergency Law No Answer to Instability
In wake of the Egyptian military council's response to the attacks on the Israeli Embassy on September 9th, Human Rights First reported that the renewal of emergency law runs counter to the Egyptian people's demands. "This harsh crackdown that has ...
POMED Notes: “The Arab Uprisings and the United Nations”
On Tuesday, the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and the National Security Network (NSN) hosted a panel discussion with Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, Geneive Abdo, fellow at the Century Foundation and the National Security Network, and Ted Piccone, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. The event was moderated by Heather Hurlburt, executive director at NSN, with a welcome by Stephen McInerney, executive director ...
September 14, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Egypt, Events, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Political transition, Reform, Syria, United Nations, US foreign policy
Analysis: Anti-Democratic Turn in Egypt Threatens U.S. Interests
In a Policy Alert for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Executive Director Robert Satloff argues that the chances that the Egyptian revolution take an "anti-democratic turn" are "frighteningly high," as most recently evidenced by the attacks on ...
September 13, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Elections, Islamist movements, Political Islam, Political transition, US foreign policy
American Foreign Policy Since 9/11, “Lessons Learned”
In James Traub's latest article "Twilight in Manhattan, Dawn in Tripoli" he reflects on the evolution of American foreign policy in the Middle East from 9/11 onward. Traub states that the United States has learned many lessons since the initial days of invading Afghanistan and Iraq and he reminds his audience that "one thing we have learned is that no matter how bad things are, they can always get worse."With this ...
New Middle East Transitions Office Opens at Department of State
The U.S. Department of State opened a new Middle East Transitions (MET) office, which started operation this week. William Taylor, former senior vice president for conflict management at United States Institute of Peace, will spearhead Middle East Transitions, with ...
September 12, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Government, Libya, NGOs, Political transition, Tunisia, US foreign policy
Egypt: Concern over Increased Media Censorship
The offices of Al Jazeera Egyptian affiliate Mubasher Misr were raided and shut down by security forces in plain clothes Sunday. The channel is known for its coverage of protests, including Friday's attack on the Israeli embassy in Cairo. While members ...
“Egypt cracks down after Israeli Embassy attack”
After the Israeli embassy in Cairo was attacked on Friday, the military led transitional government said it would impose a renewed emergency law, allowing extra-judicial detentions. Osama Heikal, Egyptian minister of media, said in a statement after a an emergency meeting ...
September 11, 2011
Category: Egypt, Human Rights, Israel, Political transition, Protests, Rule of Law
Under Secretary of State Will Travel to Egypt, Tunisia
The State Department released a statement today detailing plans for Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, María Otero, to travel to Egypt and Tunisia. Otero will be Egypt September 10-12 and in Tunisia from September 13-15. ...
September 9, 2011
Category: Diplomacy, Egypt, Featured, Political Parties, Political transition, Tunisia, US foreign policy, US politics
Egypt: Protesters Convene in Tahrir to “Correct the Path”
Friday morning protesters gathered in Tahrir Square in an effort to re-center their efforts. They have turned their focus to pressuring the SCAF to halt all military trials of civilians and to give a clear timeline for the transfer ...
Egypt: Fears Raised that Activists Will Boycott Elections
In Marc Lynch's September 6 piece "Will Egypt's Activists Boycott the Election?" Lynch worries that the activists of Tahrir Square, who see themselves as the "soul of the revolution" will threaten to boycott November's Parliamentary elections. After struggling with ...
September 7, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Elections, Featured, Political transition, Protests, Reform, Youth
Egypt: Pro-Democracy Blogger Deported; Torture Victims Released
Imad Bazzi, a Lebanese pro-democracy blogger, was detained in Cairo International Airport because his name appeared on the Egyptian intelligence blacklist. Bazzi was considered a "security concern" due to his support for jailed Egyptian activist, Mikael ...
September 6, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Freedom, Government, Media, Middle Eastern Media, Political transition
Libya: Rebel Leaders Believe Gadhafi Has Escaped
Rebel leaders believe that the Muammar Gadhafi may have escaped Libya by heading south through the desert borders while negotiations over Bani Walid and Sirte were taking place. Libyans believe that "last week’s flurry of audio messages and unconfirmed sightings of Gaddafi and his sons may have been a smokescreen to allow his escape." According to Colonel Ahmed Omar Bani, the peace talks, that were aimed at convincing the surrender ...
September 5, 2011
Category: Egypt, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Government, Libya, Political transition, Reform
Egypt: Mubarak’s Trial Stops When Fighting Breaks Loose
Egypt's former President Hosni Mubarak's trial was interrupted today when fighting broke out among observers in the court. One of Mubarak;s supporters lifted a photo of Mubarak, which resulted in anger amongst relatives of victims from the January ...
September 5, 2011
Category: Egypt, Government, Military, Political transition, Public Opinion, Reform