MENASource

In Response to US Ambassador Anne Patterson

By Dina Guirguis

US Ambassador to Egypt Anne Patterson delivered a speech on June 18 at the headquarters of the Ibn Khaldun Center, a venerated non-governmental organization in Cairo, “to set the record straight” on the US government’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood. Patterson defended US support of Egypt’s government, emphasizing its “elected nature.” While she expressed an […]

Top News: Egypt’s Military Redeploys Across Country Days Ahead of Mass Anti-Morsi Protests

Egypt’s military on Wednesday brought in reinforcements of troops and armor to bases near Egyptian cities ahead of June 30 protests planned by the opposition to force the Islamist president out, security officials said.  

Egypt’s Sisi Threads the Needle

Egypt’s army has gone to great lengths to distance itself from the political arena since President Mohamed Morsi wrested power from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) almost a year ago. Eighteen months of SCAF-rule left the army’s reputation tarnished with accusations of human rights abuses on the part of the military itself, […]

An ICC Intervention for Syria?

By J. Trevor Ulbrick and Kip Hale

 Syria’s relentless civil war has taken a dramatic turn for the worse. The White House recently declared that Syrian government forces had used chemical weapons multiple times against rebel forces, a war crime in and of itself. Militias loyal to Bashar al-Assad have stepped up massacres of civilians and prisoners of war perceived as allied […]

Top News: Egyptian Government Faces Blame in Mob Sectarian Killing

Egypt’s government promised "exemplary punishment" on Monday after the mob killing of five Shiite Muslims near Cairo raised fears of wider sectarian bloodshed at a time of grave national crisis. But Shiite minority leaders and the liberal opposition accused the government itself, dominated by the Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, of whipping up sectarian anger over […]

A “No Drama” Leadership Transition in Qatar

By Richard LeBaron

It’s rare good news in the Middle East when a 61-year old leader hands over power to a 33-year old successor. Regardless of the specific timing and motives behind the abdication by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, this peaceful and voluntary departure from the throne […]

Top News: Tunisia’s Army Chief Retires Amid Criticism

Setting the Stage for Violence and Madness

By Amr Hamzawy

 Would-be heroes and villains–and they are legion in Egypt these days–continue to set the social and political stage for violence and senseless civil strife as they marginalize the democratic demand for early presidential elections. The would-be heroes and villains on the religious right–from the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis to organizations with a history of violence–are […]