In an op-ed, professor Mark LeVine describes why democratic transitions have been so drastically different across the Middle East. He argued that the initial movement in Syria was not as successful as Egypt or Tunisia due in part to a ...

After the Syrian military shelled the Turkish border town of Ackakale, killing five Turkish citizens, Turkish Prime Minister Recept Tayyip Erdogan responded by proclaiming, “Under the rules of engagement and international law, Turkey will never let the ...

King Mohammed VI of Morocco announced his country's commitment to talks on Western Sahara, offering to grant an autonomous status within its sovereignty. However, the Polisario Front, which is fighting for independence and supported by Algeria, rejected the proposal. ...

U.N. Security Council members remain deeply divided on how to deal with the Syrian crisis, while both Syria and Iran have expressed discontent with perceived meddling in the conflict. "We heard calls from this podium, and on other platforms, ...

The appeal of nine Bahraini medics who treated victims of government crackdowns was rejected for the final time, and many of the sentences stem from "participating in illegal demonstrations." The sentences range from one month to five years. A number ...

During his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci called for new limits on the freedom of expression. He suggested that the U.N. should take a lead role in such an effort by providing a forum ...

Despite the illegality of demonstrations in Saudi Arabia, sporadic protests have occurred during the last week. On September 23 a sizable rally took place at Tafiya Prison outside Riyadh to protest the imprisonment of alleged Islamic extremists, resulting in the arrest of ...

On September 27, Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki addressed the U.N. General Assembly calling on the international community to address "violence and extremism," while also acknowledging the economic and social problems his government inherited as a result of the ...

Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohammed al-Khalifa addressed the United Nations on Thursday, noting “serious challenges” to Bahrain’s security and stability, which he said the country had “addressed with full transparency, commitment and honesty.” He added that Bahrain’s King Hamad ...

At the U.N. General Assembly on September 26 Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi, President of the Republic of Yemen, and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah, provided similar messages in their speeches.  Both addressed a recent provocative anti-Islamic film, criticizing ...

On September 25, President Barack Obama spoke at the U.N. General Assembly focusing heavily on foreign policy in the Middle East. His speech addressed recent violence directed at U.S. embassies, reiterated the administration’s support for democratic reform, encouraged ...

The exiled leader of the Hamas movement, Khaled Meshaal, is stepping down from his post. Meshaal, who has led Hamas for more than 15 years, made the announcement at a Hamas leadership meeting in Cairo. Although officials say ...

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi met in New York to discuss the potential for expanded aid, despite the recent outbreak of violence in the region. The proposed $1 billion in debt relief ...

  On September 21, Bahraini police announced that they had arrested 29 suspects involved with rioting and vandalism in the capital city. “Rioters hurled petrol bombs, iron rods and stones, endangering both the police and civilians in the commercial centre ...

Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi will be landing in New York on Sunday, for the U.N. General Assembly amidst criticism over Egypt's response to last week's demonstrations. Egyptian officials condemned the violence, but expressed sympathy for the public’s anger ...

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced an official review of security at the U.S. mission in Libya following attacks that killed four Americans. "I will advise Congress … I am launching an accountability review board that will be chaired by ...

Following a week of attacks and protests in Sana'a, the U.N. envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, told the Security Council that “the transition is on track, but there have been challenges – serious challenges in various areas, including in ...

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay included Bahrain among the 16 nations accused of allowing government members to undertake "reprisals and intimidation against individuals" critical of regimes. Pillay said, "People may be threatened or harassed by ...

Following protests in Manama on September 7, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Khalifa voiced discontent with al-Wefaq's participation in the protests despite a government-imposed ban. The rally turned violent when police and protesters ...