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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Fine Points of the Electoral System that Might Make a Difference

MENASource
Jul 12, 2025

Netanyahu’s trip to Washington ends with conflicting signals

The moment of truth may yet come when Trump’s leverage on Netanyahu, which is considerable, may not be expressed only in private settings.

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Fine Points of the Electoral System that Might Make a Difference

MENASource
Jul 17, 2025

Facing scarcity, the Gulf’s ‘smart water’ future lies in desalination

By
Hany Ghanem

Desalination-enhanced regenerative data centers can help tackle the challenges of limited water resources and the post-oil economic shift.

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

Fine Points of the Electoral System that Might Make a Difference

MENASource
Jun 26, 2025

Dispatch from Damascus: Church attack shows transition’s fragility

By
Ibrahim Al-Assil

The bombing at Mar Elias Church is more than an isolated tragedy. It is a signal that Syria’s transition remains vulnerable to sabotage.

Democratic Transitions
Middle East

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MENASource

Nov 26, 2011

Fine Points of the Electoral System that Might Make a Difference

By Michele Dunne

Cairo — Electoral systems are slippery things.  Political players often try to grab hold and point them in one direction or another to obtain an electoral advantage, and sometimes regret their decisions later—witness the famous 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, in which Fatah shaped a system to its liking only to find out it played to […]

MENASource

Nov 26, 2011

News Update: November 26, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Clashes broke out again after Central Security Forces attacked thousands of protesters staging a sit-in outside of the Cabinet building to condemn the appointment of Prime Minister Kamal Ganzouri. The SCAF announced on November 25 that each stage of the parliamentary elections will be held over two days instead of one to avoid "overcrowding and security […]

MENASource

Nov 25, 2011

Dispatch from Alexandria

By Tarek Radwan

As a Cairene surrounded by the intensity and dynamism of the second wave of mass Tahrir protests, one tends to forget that other parts of the country are fighting their own battles that, although, smaller in scale, are just as intense and significant to those residents fighting for their rights. After only three days in Alexandria, […]

MENASource

Nov 25, 2011

Is US Support for the SCAF Unconditional?

By Amy Austin-Holmes

The Egyptian street has erupted once again.  As before, people around the world are riveted by the surge of protests rocking Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, Ismailia, Mahalla, Mansoura, Suez, and elsewhere. What is particularly breathtaking about the recent events is not only the rapid spread of the uprising, but the (previously unthinkable) demand to end 60 […]

MENASource

Nov 25, 2011

To Elect or Not Elect?

By Michele Dunne

The SCAF continues to insist that parliamentary elections will begin on time November 28.  Whether that actually happens or not might be determined by the size and character of the protest that is now beginning in Tahrir.  Revolutionary groups have promised a “millioniya” (million man march); that is hard, but not impossible, to carry off […]

MENASource

Nov 25, 2011

News Update: November 25, 2011

By Mara Revkin

The SCAF has appointed 78-year-old Kamal Ganzouri as Egypt’s new prime minister. Ganzouri previously served as Mubarak’s prime minister from 1996-1999. A military source said that Ganzouri will be tasked with forming a salvation government to replace Sharaf’s cabinet, which collectively resigned last week. Protesters have overwhelmingly rejected news of the appointment, with thousands rallying […]

MENASource

Nov 25, 2011

Is Kamal Ganzouri the Answer?

By Michele Dunne

The reported SCAF appointment of Kamal Ganzouri to head a new cabinet, replacing Essam Sharaf, is one of several steps the military leadership is taking to try to quell demonstrators’ anger without meeting their main demand:  that the SCAF relinquish power now.

MENASource

Nov 24, 2011

News Update: November 24, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Members of the SCAF and High Electoral Commission announced at a press conference that parliamentary elections will be held on schedule next week, despite escalating violence. The SCAF offered "regrets and deep apologies" for the deaths of protesters but is continuing to refuse calls for an immediate end to military rule. Meanwhile, fourteen political movements […]

MENASource

Nov 23, 2011

News Update: November 23, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Protesters overwhelming rejected the SCAF’s offer to expedite the transition to civilian rule through a popular referendum. Demonstrations continued in several cities on November 23, with additional casualties reported in Alexandria, bringing the official death toll to 35. Meanwhile, a number of major political parties are reportedly considering calling on the SCAF to postpone the […]

MENASource

Nov 23, 2011

Violence Clouds Upcoming Elections

By Mohamed Elshahed

Less than five days before the first post-Mubarak elections, the situation in Tahrir Square is the worst it has been since Mubarak stepped down on February 11 earlier this year. The level of force and the brutality of the security forces surpass anything that was seen in a single incident during the 18-day uprising. The […]

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