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MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

Egypt’s Constitutional Drafting Process Shows a Diverse Population Ready for Democracy

By Sahar Aziz

“Egyptians are not ready for democracy” — this was Mubarak’s flippant response to domestic and international calls for political reform in Egypt.  The past few months put this fallacy to rest. Political grandstanding and posturing aside, the heated disputes show a sophisticated debate on the role of religion, individual rights, and power sharing among the […]

MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

Appoint or Elect the Constitutional Committee of Libya?

By Karim Mezran and Duncan Pickard

Now that Libya’s General National Congress (GNC) has appointed and installed a government, its attention will turn to the selection of a committee to write a new constitution for the country. The fundamental question in this debate is whether or not the committee should be popularly elected or appointed by the GNC.Some in the eastern […]

Libya

MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

Banking on the Brotherhood: The Egyptian Predicament in Gaza

By Ahmed Younis

On the heels of the Arab spring, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood finds itself in a series of intermingled problems that threaten to thrust it and Egypt into regional chaos and further domestic frustration.    The recent volley of artillery between Hamas and Israel place Egypt, Egyptian interests and its identity front and center in the […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

Fixing the Flaws in the Pivot to Asia

By Harlan Ullman

U.S. President Barack Obama is underscoring the administration’s “strategic pivot” to Asia with a trip to the Pacific. This column has criticized this pivot and the botched public diplomacy campaign that managed to irritate friends, allies and, of course, China.

United States and Canada

MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

A Unified Opposition Outside the Constituent Assembly

By Basil El Dabh

“It is unacceptable that when it is time to create a constitution, we split the country into Islamists and non-Islamists,” shouted George Ishaq, co-founder of the Kefaya Movement and member of Al-Dostour Party, as he walked down the steps at St. Mark’s Cathedral on Sunday following the inauguration of Pope Tawadros II. The previous day […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

Israel Should Rethink its Strategy Against Hamas in Gaza

By Benedetta Berti

Since Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006 and subsequently took control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel has dealt with the “Islamic Resistance” through a policy of non-recognition, political isolation, and military containment. The recent escalation of violence in Gaza should call for a reconsideration of this strategy.

Middle East

NATOSource

Nov 21, 2012

US rejects claims it participated in hacking of French presidential staff

By Jamey Keaten, AP

From Jamey Keaten, AP:  The U.S. Embassy in Paris on Wednesday "categorically" denied claims in a French magazine report that the U.S. government was behind a hacking attack against computers in the French president’s palace earlier this year.

Cybersecurity Security & Defense

MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

Injustice Prevails: Why the Mohamed Mahmoud Clashes Continue

By Wael Eskandar

Two days ago, protesters took to the street commemorating the anniversary of the 2011 Mohamed Mahmoud Clashes, one of the bloodiest confrontations with the police in Egypt’s transitional phase, leaving over 50 dead. Today, Mohamed Mahmoud Street looks almost the same as it did exactly one year ago, with similar altercations taking place. Protesters are […]

New Atlanticist

Nov 21, 2012

In Space, No One Can Hear You Pivot

By Aaron Burgstein

With all the recent discussion on the rebalance to Asia and how air, sea, and ground forces might play in that environment, one domain has been conspicuously absent. Space.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

MENASource

Nov 21, 2012

Top News: Clinton Meets Morsi, Seeking Israel-Gaza Truce In Cairo

By Egypt Source

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Wednesday in Cairo to discuss a possible truce in Gaza, Egypt’s official news agency report