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MENASource

Apr 15, 2013

Consent of the Governed: A New Middle East Political Order?

By Frederic C. Hof

Despite the grim realities we face on so many fronts in the Middle East today, there is reason to be optimistic about the long-term political trajectory of the Arab world. Arabs—especially young Arabs—are finally beginning to answer, on their own and from the ground up, the key question of the past century: what will follow […]

Middle East

MENASource

Apr 12, 2013

Jordan’s Dilemma

By Faysal Itani

Jordan has long faced economic challenges, and now a convergence of political and economic factors threatens to undermine the social contract that has historically held the kingdom together. Its sporadic embrace of promarket reforms since the late 1980s, through privatization and the monarchy’s nurturing of an urban economic elite, failed to improve living standards for […]

MENASource

Apr 12, 2013

Top News: Shura Council Approves Election Law; Al Azhar Approves Sukuk Law

By Egypt Source

The Shura Council on Thursday approved laws governing the exercise of political rights and House of Representatives elections, while Al-Azhar approved a law that would allow the country, which is struggling with a soaring budget deficit, to issue sukuk (Islamic bonds), but said some articles passed by the Shura Council must be amended. 

MENASource

Apr 12, 2013

Off the Egyptian Press: On the Cathedral Attack

By Andrew Ver Steegh

The clashes on Sunday during the funeral of four Egyptian Christians killed earlier in the weekend were condemned across the political spectrum; however, the incident has attracted attention in the op-ed pages of Egypt’s independent press primarily as another sign of the continuing political decay of the country.  Here are a few excerpts:

MENASource

Apr 11, 2013

Egypt’s President: Tweeting an Offline Nation

By Sara Labib

The recent events which took place at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbasiya left many complaining about the apparent inaction of the country’s political leadership. The perceived absence of police at the funeral held at the Cathedral last Sunday and the consequent attack on the building, resulted in uncharacteristically harsh words from the Coptic Orthodox […]

MENASource

Apr 11, 2013

Top News: Shura Council Finalises Elections Law

By Egypt Source

 On Wednesday, the Shura Council passed the two laws on the House of Representatives and the exercise of political rights, but the vote on the final approval was postponed until Thursday’s session. All that remains is for the council to hold a final vote on the complete bill. All the bill’s articles have been voted […]

MENASource

Apr 10, 2013

Qatar to the Rescue—Again!

By Mohsin Khan

The flying visit of Prime Minister Hisham Qandil to Qatar on April 9 has apparently paid off. Today the Qatari Prime Minister Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani announced that Qatar would provide an additional $3 billion to Egypt, on top of the $5 billion that has been provided since the beginning of the Arab Spring […]

MENASource

Apr 10, 2013

Top News: Egypt’s Army Took Part in Torture and Killings, Report Shows

By Egypt Source

 Egypt’s armed forces participated in forced disappearances, torture and killings across the country – including in the Egyptian Museum – during the 2011 uprising, even as military leaders publicly declared their neutrality, according to a leaked presidential fact-finding report on revolution-era crimes.   GOVERNMENT & OPPOSITION Egypt’s army took part in torture and killings during […]

MENASource

Apr 10, 2013

Women’s Rights through the Printed Word: Extending Liberal Values to Ordinary Women

By Jayson Casper

If liberal values are going to spread in Egyptian society, politics is not the answer. Women are. “The normal woman has a job, goes to market, and raises her family, but she is not part of a political party,” said Youssef Habib, editor-in-chief of the newly launched women’s magazine Lu’lu’a, or Pearl. “Most Egyptian women think […]

MENASource

Apr 9, 2013

Top News: Egypt, in Gesture to Opponents, Eyes Constitution Changes

By Egypt Source

 Egypt’s Islamist-led government has asked independent legal experts to propose amendments to the new constitution, the state news agency MENA said on Tuesday, signaling that it may be heeding concerns of the liberal and leftist opposition.