MENASource

As the MENA region continues to be the epicenter of news headlines, the Atlantic Council’s MENASource is a hub for thought-provoking and hard-hitting analyses about the latest trends, ideas, and debates. This online publication provides fast reactions and in-depth commentary on breaking news and key regional topics by a diverse team of experts and contributors.

Content

MENASource

Jul 10, 2013

Profile: Hazem el-Beblawi, Egypt’s Interim Prime Minister

By Amira Mikhail

Since Mohamed Morsi’s ouster on July 3, the Egyptian political debate has centered on the appointment of the interim prime minister. Many names were floated over the last few days including, National Salvation Front leader Mohamed ElBaradei, founding member of the Social Democratic Party, Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, and former finance minister Samir Radwan. The Salafi Nour […]

MENASource

Jul 10, 2013

Top News: United States ‘Cautiously Encouraged’ by Timeline for Egypt Vote

In a press briefing on Tuesday, the United States said it was "cautiously encouraged" by a timeline proposed by Egypt’s interim rulers for elections to replace ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. Washington also again walked a fine line on the issue of whether it would brand the military takeover as a "coup"—a move that under US law […]

MENASource

Jul 10, 2013

Top News: Syrian Naval Base Explosion Points to Israeli Raid

Foreign forces destroyed advanced Russian anti-ship missiles in Syria last week, rebels said Tuesday—a disclosure that appeared to point to an Israeli raid.

MENASource

Jul 10, 2013

A Holistic Approach to Security in Libya

By Karim Mezran

With the arrival of Ambassador Deborah Jones last month in Tripoli to assume the months-vacant ambassadorial post, there is a newfound opportunity to reinvigorate the relationship between Libya and the United States. Reports indicate that she received a warm welcome from the Libyan government and people who are eager to elevate their country’s engagement with […]

MENASource

Jul 9, 2013

What I Really Want Out of the US-Egypt Relationship

By Phoebe Farag Mikhail

The flurry of media, activist, and policy-maker attention about the use of the word ‘coup’ with regards to the groundbreaking events in Egypt over the past few days is, in part, linked to how its legal definition affects Egypt’s relationships with other countries. If the United States determines that the Armed Forces’ removal of former […]

United States and Canada

MENASource

Jul 9, 2013

Top News: Egypt’s Constitutional Declaration Issued; Interim Prime Minister Named

Egypt’s interim president Adly Mansour issued a constitutional declaration that will remain effective until the end of the ongoing transitional period, which will last for least six months. He also named liberal economist and former finance minister Hazem al-Beblawi as prime minister in a transitional government, appointed former UN nuclear agency chief Mohamed ElBaradei as deputy to the […]

MENASource

Jul 9, 2013

Top News: Egypt’s Interim President Issues Constitutional Declaration, Appoints Prime Minister

MENASource

Jul 9, 2013

Lebanon’s weakening political order

By Faysal Itani

The aftermath of the recent violence in the Lebanese city of Sidon has revealed much about the Lebanon’s worrying political evolution. Although these trends have been gradual and subtle, they pose significant threats to US policy in Lebanon by undermining efforts to empower pro-US Sunni politicians and prevent the spread of Sunni radicalization from Syria. […]

MENASource

Jul 9, 2013

Gulf and United States Need to Get Act Together on Egypt

By Richard LeBaron

Although it is convenient to place the entire blame on the Muslim Brothers for the sad state of the Egyptian economy, it will not solve the problems ahead. Since the Egyptian revolution, the international community has failed to provide the kind of political and economic support to Egypt that would prevent it from becoming a […]

MENASource

Jul 8, 2013

Would an IMF Program Have Saved Morsi?

By Mohsin Khan

The disintegrating Egyptian economy is cited by most observers as one of the important factors in the massive protests in Tahrir Square that led to the military intervention and removal of Mohammed Morsi on July 3. The generally-accepted view is that the Morsi government which took power in July 2012 had not been able to […]