Scholars, advocates, and activists seeking to make the U.S. a more responsible global partner.
Middle East & North Africa
The Roots of Social Rebellion? Social Movements.

The Roots of Social Rebellion? Social Movements.

by | Jul 3, 2013

The lesson from the streets of Brazil, Turkey, and the Arab world is to avoid underestimating half-baked social movements still in their infancy. With technological advancements and opportune conjunctures, the underdogs of yesterday can quickly turn into the makers of tomorrow. Not every nascent movement cascades into a full-blown revolution, but the pathfinders whose thoughts and actions carry forward to make history must get their due recognition.

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The Meaning of Rouhani

The Meaning of Rouhani

by | Jul 1, 2013

Although Hassan Rouhani’s victory in Iran’s presidential election was a major gain for the moderate and reformist political groups in Iran—and consequently a major loss for the conservative groups—its implications are far greater than a simple adjustment in the balance of power in Iran’s domestic politics.

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Human Rights from the Ground Up: Women and the Egyptian Revolution

Human Rights from the Ground Up: Women and the Egyptian Revolution

by | Jun 27, 2013

Amid ongoing battles over the shape of political systems in the Arab world, intense sexual violence against women in those countries, and protest movements by women fighting for their rights, advancing the causes of Arab women is of utmost importance. But it’s not just a matter of laws of culture. Central to understanding violence against women is understanding state violence, political exclusion, and poverty.

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Tunisia Must Not Fail

Tunisia Must Not Fail

by | Jun 26, 2013

The economic situations of the Tunisians who drove the revolution have not improved one bit. Tunisia’s leaders need to intensify their efforts to stimulate economic development, and fast. But how can they do so when they are a little preoccupied setting up an entire government? This is where Washington comes in.

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Syria and the Monarchs: A Perfect Storm

Syria and the Monarchs: A Perfect Storm

by | Jun 25, 2013

The Obama administration’s decision to directly supply weapons to the Syrian opposition may end up torpedoing the possibility of a political settlement. It will almost certainly accelerate the chaos spreading from the almost three-year old civil war. It will also align Washington with one of the most undemocratic alliances on the planet, and one that looks increasingly unstable. In short, we are headed into a perfect political storm.

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On the Brink of Another War

On the Brink of Another War

by , | Jun 20, 2013

The United States should not get involved in a civil war with unknown and dangerous ramifications for the region. It should not get involved in supporting an opposition that is ready to inflict a bloodbath on Syrian minorities, and it should not abet the rise of extremist al-Qaeda-affiliated groups. 

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