MENASource

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 […]

Top News: Egyptian Army Steps in to Demand Political Truce

Egypt’s army stepped in to a deepening political crisis on Sunday to demand that the Islamist government and its opponents settle their differences and warned that it would act to stop violence spinning out of control.

Top News: Army Ready To Save Nation From ‘Dark Tunnel,’ Defense Minister

Egypt’s army issued a sharp warning to rival political factions on Sunday that it would not stand by if opposition rallies next weekend descend into conflict and it urged politicians to forge consensus. In a statement, the head of the armed forces, Defense Minister Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said he would not allow an "attack on the will of […]

Security in Libya Becomes a Political Bargaining Chip

By Mohamed Eljarh

After nearly two years since the fall of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime in 2011, the unstable security situation has become a political bargaining chip in a wider struggle for power in post-revolution Libya.  Libya’s Army Chief Youssef al-Mangoush resigned a day after deadly clashes between anti-militia protesters and a government-sanctioned militia, one that nominally fell under […]

This Week in Egypt – June 21, 2013

By Amira Mikhail

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more. Quotes of the Week "The new NGO draft law will close the door to Europeans and Americans who want to spread immorality in Egyptian society. NGOs that aim to play in politics or that want to promote […]