Scholars, advocates, and activists seeking to make the U.S. a more responsible global partner.
Middle East & North Africa
Egypt Speaks, Again

Egypt Speaks, Again

by , | Jul 5, 2013

The taxi driver was excited. Driving through the busy streets of Cairo a little more than a year ago, he wanted us to see his most prized token from the revolution that brought Egyptians to the streets in 2011.He passed his cell phone to the back seat to share a YouTube video of his children were singing the Egyptian national anthem—backwards. Backwards, he explained, because that was how former President Hosni Mubarak was ruling the nation. “We want Egypt to be for all Egyptians—Christians, Jews, and Muslims,” he declared, smiling broadly. 

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more
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.

read more