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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Egypt’s Electoral System: A recipe for pluralism or polarization?

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.

Read More

Egypt’s Electoral System: A recipe for pluralism or polarization?

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

Egypt’s Electoral System: A recipe for pluralism or polarization?

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

Nov 13, 2011

Egypt’s Electoral System: A recipe for pluralism or polarization?

By Mara Revkin

In two weeks, Egyptians are expected to turn out in unprecedented numbers for the country’s first ostensibly free and fair elections.  But while Egypt’s rapidly proliferating parties are enthusiastically campaigning for seats in the post-Mubarak parliament, recent changes to the electoral system may have troubling implications for the political diversity and legitimacy of the next […]

MENASource

Nov 10, 2011

News Update: November 10, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Islamist groups including al-Gama’a al-Islamiyya threatened to bus in supporters from across the country to Tahrir Square for an open-ended sit-in starting Friday, November 18, to protest the draft constitutional principles issued by Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmy last week. Meanwhile, Egyptian expatriates began the online voter registration process on November 9 through the High […]

MENASource

Nov 10, 2011

Bassem Youssef Interview

By Mara Revkin and Magdy Samaan

While some seek to achieve political change through protests and elections, Egyptian YouTube sensation Bassem Youssef is determined to transform Egypt’s political landscape with comedy.

MENASource

Nov 8, 2011

News Update: November 8, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Islamist groups are calling for mass demonstrations on November 18 to protest the draft constitutional principles announced by Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi last week. Meanwhile, Sufi parties announced the formation of a coordinating committee to support Sufi candidates and their alliances in the upcoming elections, and an anonymous source close to the Church indicated […]

MENASource

Nov 7, 2011

News Update: November 7, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Alexandria’s Security Directorate rejected the applications of several candidates of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party last week, prompting a sit-in by FJP members inside the directorate building.  Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood mobilized supporters at Eid celebrations by distributing Egyptian flags bearing the party’s logo, meat and vegetables and bags of toys to children. On […]

MENASource

Nov 4, 2011

News Update: November 4, 2011

By Mara Revkin

A range of political forces are calling for mass protests on November 18 to demand a clear timetable for a transfer of power to civilian leadership and call for an end to military trials of civilians. Islamist presidential candidate Hazem Abu Saleh is backing the demonstration to demand that the military transfer power no later […]

MENASource

Nov 4, 2011

News Update: November 3, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Under intense criticism from political parties and Islamists in particular, Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmy announced amendments to Articles 9 and 10 of the controversial draft constitutional principles issued by the interim government on November 1. The amendments have removed the word “solely” from the clause guaranteeing the military’s right to manage its own affairs […]

MENASource

Nov 4, 2011

News Update: November 2, 2011

By Mara Revkin

The SCAF issued a draft set of supra-constitutional principles on November 1 at the end of a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ali al-Selmi and attended by 500 representatives of major parties and movements (with the exception of the Brotherhood and most Islamist parties, which boycotted the meeting). The principles have been heavily criticized […]

MENASource

Nov 1, 2011

News Update: November 1, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Blogger and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah was summoned to appear before a military prosecutor on November 1, sparking large-scale protests in Cairo and Alexandria, where thousands gathered to demand his release and an end to military trials of civilians. Meanwhile, the Higher Electoral Commission announced that the official campaign period for parliamentary elections will begin […]

MENASource

Nov 1, 2011

Egypt News Update: October 27, 2011

By Mara Revkin

Following the appearance of hundreds of posters supporting the presidential candidacy of Field Marshal Tantawi, an anonymous military official close to the SCAF insisted that the military council had “nothing at all to do with this campaign" and claimed that "we are committed to handing power over to civilians." As Islamist parties continue to expand […]

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