MENASource

Top News: Yemen warning closes UN offices in Sana’a

By MENASource

A warning of a possible attack in the part of Yemen’s capital where United Nations (UN) offices are located has prompted an order for staff to stay home on Thursday, a UN source said. “Staff of the UN mission and UN agencies have received instructions not to turn up for work on Thursday,” the source […]

Nathan Brown Speaks to EgyptSource about Egypt’s New Draft Constitution [Video]

By EgyptSource

In a series of short videos, Dr. Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University spoke to EgyptSource about Egypt’s new draft constitution. Dr. Brown highlights how the 2013 draft constitution differs from its predecessor, comments on the role of state instutions and the judiciary in the draft, and finally […]

Saving Syria’s Children

By Frederic C. Hof

Last night on December 11, 2013 Ambassador Frederic C. Hof delivered opening remarks at the US premier of BBC’s Panorama film Saving Syria’s Children hosted by the Embassy of the United Kingdom.

Getting to Zero in the Middle East

By Bilal Y. Saab

As Syria dismantles its chemical weapons infrastructure and Iran places verifiable limitations on its nuclear program for the next six months and potentially longer, an opportunity for further progress on the elusive goal of ridding the Middle East of all weapons of mass destruction (WMD) presents itself. While old challenges remain and new ones have […]

Syria: Geneva and the Alternative to the Assad Regime

By Frederic C. Hof

If the Geneva peace conference scheduled for January 22, 2014 features a credible proposal by the Syrian opposition for a transitional governmental alternative to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, the conference itself can contribute to the end of corruptly brutal clan rule in Syria.

Top News: Second Judging Panel Withdraws from Brotherhood Trial

By EgyptSource

A second panel of judges has withdrawn from the trial of Muslim Brotherhood leaders accused of inciting the killing of protesters. The defendants refused to recognize the court, dubbed it “void” and “illegitimate,” and chanted “down with the military rule.” 

Syria: Kerry’s Chance for a Pivot to Humanitarian Access at Geneva

By Matthew Hall

January 22, the latest in a long string of dates penciled-in for Geneva II, is six weeks from today. Hotel rooms are being booked in Montreux, Russian and Iranian ministers are meeting to plot their game plan, and the opposition Syrian National Council has agreed—under great duress and with several preconditions—to attend the peace talks.

Yemen’s Economy Needs Action Now

By Danya Greenfield & Stefanie A. Hausheer

On the heels of a major attack against Yemen’s defense ministry last Thursday, it is easy to focus on the dire security situation and the connection between the current political stalemate in the National Dialogue with the uptick in violence and attacks on government officials and institutions.

Key Questions on Egypt’s Upcoming Constitutional Referendum

As Egypt prepares to go to a constitutional referendum in January, details have begun to emerge on party positions on the constitution, security measures for the referendum, and who will be monitoring in Egypt’s polling stations. With the final draft of the constitution submitted to interim president Adly Mansour, he has 30 days to call […]

Top News: Clashes in Egypt between students and police for the third day

By MENASource

A security official says police have fired tear gas to prevent students of Egypt’s Islamic al-Azhar University from taking protests outside their campus, in the third straight day of unrest there. Student spokesman Mahmoud Salah said the students organized a strike Tuesday in solidarity with university staff who he said was beaten by security in the […]