With curated multimedia series focused on hard hitting issues such climate change as well as current events, MENASource seeks to explore all facets of life in the region as affected by political, security, economic, and cultural issues.

Of particular focus and interest are the minorities, women, and the youth populations across the region and how they are affected by the changing environments.

The views expressed in MENASource are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Atlantic Council, its staff, or its supporters.

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News Update: December 16, 2011

MENASource
Sep 19, 2025

How Israel’s strike on Doha is forcing a Gulf security reckoning

The Gulf monarchies have displayed strong unity at a time when rethinking twenty-first-century Gulf security is no longer optional.

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News Update: December 16, 2011

MENASource
Sep 19, 2025

Snapback sanctions threaten to further derail Iran nuclear deal hopes

By
Rob Macaire

Now would be the best time for the West to negotiate a deal with Iran—but snapback sanctions threaten a derailing into further confrontation.

Economic Sanctions
Iran

News Update: December 16, 2011

MENASource
Sep 17, 2025

In landmark Syria elections, women still face electoral hurdles

By
Marie Forestier 

As the indirect electoral process begins, Syrian officials could take several steps to increase women’s chances in this process.

Civil Society
Democratic Transitions

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Content

MENASource

Dec 16, 2011

News Update: December 16, 2011

By Mara Revkin

At least 173 “Occupy Cabinet” protesters were injured and two more killed as they clashed violently with military police trying to disperse a sit-in outside of the Council of Ministers Building. After protesters refused to vacate Qasr al-Aini Street, security forces used force to break up the sit-in with rocks and fire houses.

MENASource

Dec 15, 2011

Food Poisoning Claims Reflect Continued Mistrust of the Military

By Mara Revkin

New accusations of deliberate food poisoning at an anti-government demonstration reflect continued mistrust of the military, which saw its approval rating plummet from 90 percent last July to 43 percent in late November, despite assurances by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) that it will transfer power back to civilians after a presidential […]

MENASource

Dec 15, 2011

In Search of an Economic Vision: An Analysis of the Key Parties’ Platforms

By Hanaa Ebeid

Like most revolutions, Egypt’s uprising was fueled by economic grievances. Widespread frustration with several parallel phenomena — the authoritarian regime’s hijacking of the economy, state- sponsored corruption, mounting inequality, monopolism and cronyism — brought together diverse segments of society in shared discontent.

MENASource

Dec 15, 2011

News Update: December 15, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Most polling stations have closed after the second round of parliamentary elections. Final results are not expected until December 17 or 18, but the Freedom and Justice Party’s Secretary General, Saad al-Katatny, is already predicting that the party will retain its lead from the first round.

MENASource

Dec 14, 2011

News Update: December 14, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Voting is in progress in nine governorates for the second stage of parliamentary elections, in which 3,387 candidates are competing for 180 seats. There were widespread reports of illegal campaigning outside of polling stations and scattered fights between supporters of rival candidates, particularly members of the Brotherhood’s FJP and Salafi Nour Party.

MENASource

Dec 14, 2011

Anatomy of Egypt’s Salafi Surge

By Mara Revkin

As newcomers to the formal political arena, Egyptian Salafi parties are the dark horse of Egypt’s parliamentary elections.

MENASource

Dec 13, 2011

News Update: December 13, 2011

By Mara Revkin

3,387 parliamentary candidates are competing in the second round of voting this week. Representatives of the Revolution Continues Alliance, which includes six parties along with the Revolutionary Youth Coalition, say that the alliance learned from its losses in the first round and is staging a more organized and better-staffed campaign this week.

MENASource

Dec 13, 2011

Second Stage of Elections Brings Out Tri-polar Competition

By Tarek Radwan

Egypt’s political factions are preparing their supporters for a second round of voting in the post-Mubarak democratic parliamentary elections scheduled to take place on December 14th and 15th. According to the Egyptian Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics, approximately 18.8 million Egyptians from Giza, Ismailiya, Sharqiya, Menoufiya, Suez, Beheira, Beni Suef, Aswan, and Sohag will have the opportunity to […]

MENASource

Dec 12, 2011

News Update: December 12, 2011

By Mara Revkin

The SCAF’s newly appointed advisory council issued its first statement on December 11 and affirmed that only the parliament has the right to select the members of a committee that will draft the new constitution. SCAF member Major General Mukhtar al-Mullah suggested last week that the advisory council would provide input on the committee’s members. […]

MENASource

Dec 12, 2011

The Transparency Paradox: When Freedom of Information Endangers NGOs

By Mehrunisa Qayyum

Non-Egyptian activists and policy wonks are too heavily focused on the electoral politics of the Islamist Freedom and Justice and Nour parties. Many are still trying to come to terms with the fact that the Arab awakening has indeed elevated a variety of voices, some of which are less appealing to Western audiences than others. But in […]

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