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Jun 25, 2018

Naturalized Syrians a flashpoint for Turkish parties

By Hossam al-Jablawi

With the Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections that took place on June 24, the issue of naturalized Syrian refugees’ participation was a major point of contention. Turkish parties have divergent views on the Syrian refugee situation in Turkey, and there was an increase of public campaigns rejecting their stay in the country. A wide range […]

Syria Turkey

MENASource

Jun 18, 2018

Yemen: The battle for al-Hodeida between war and peace

By Nabeel Khoury

There are three possible outcomes to the ongoing battle for Hodeida. First, the Saudi-led coalition succeeds in ousting the Houthi fighters from airport, seaport, and city. Second, the Houthi forces succeed in thwarting the land assault, but remain surrounded from the south and the east. Third, both sides accept a UN sponsored compromise, placing airport […]

Yemen

MENASource

Jun 13, 2018

The superficial removal of Iranian troops from southern Syria

By Mona Alami

Much has been said in the last week of a possible Israeli-Russian arrangement in Syria aimed at curbing Iranian presence in strategic areas like the country’s southern border with Israel. Contradictory reports of troop movements in Qusayr by Tehran’s proxy, Hezbollah, do not change geopolitical realities: the militant group is there to primarily protect Iranian […]

Iran Syria

MENASource

Jun 8, 2018

Jordan’s austerity protests in context

By Jillian Schwedler

The protests that have spread to every corner of Jordan since May 30 are the largest since 2011. Tens of thousands have taken to the street in opposition to proposed changes to the tax code and increased prices for fuel and electricity, beginning with a call from professional associations to their members but quickly spreading […]

Macroeconomics Middle East

MENASource

Jun 7, 2018

Factbox: Jordan’s austerity protests

By Rachel Rossi, Shruti Kumar, and Aisha Han

Jordan, a key Western ally and major recipient of US aid, has recently experienced its largest protests since 2012. The ongoing protests began in May as a direct response to the new tax bill backed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which increases tax brackets, widens the tax base, and penalizes tax evaders. The IMF […]

Macroeconomics Middle East

MENASource

Jun 6, 2018

Elections in Libya: No alternative?

By Karim Mezran

Many sensible, rational, and fundamentally correct objections have been raised by members of the press, regional experts, and NGOs.

Elections Libya

MENASource

Jun 6, 2018

Turkey’s election: Anything is possible

By Aaron Stein

After sixteen years in power, Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) is facing a serious challenge from an allied opposition in the run-up to the June 24 national election. In a first, Turkish voters will head to the polls that Sunday to vote on candidates for parliament and the presidency. The election is the first […]

Elections Rule of Law

MENASource

May 29, 2018

The truth about Iraq’s democracy

By Harith Hasan

Some commentators recently celebrated the Iraqi election as a sign that democracy is taking root in Iraq’s soil. This optimistic view is justified given the bleak situation of democratic transformation in the region. Authoritarianism in the Middle East persists as the common model of governing, even in countries that witnessed popular uprisings and demands for […]

Democratic Transitions Iraq

MENASource

May 24, 2018

Is Tunisia’s glass half empty or half full?

By Karim Mezran & Erin A. Neale

The recent round of elections in Tunisia is further proof of what has been demonstrated across the region and world: that holding elections is not an elixir, but rather a first step upon which to build a strongly rooted democracy.

Democratic Transitions Elections

MENASource

May 21, 2018

Standard Arabic is on the decline: Here’s what’s worrying about that

By Hossam Abouzahr

Many warn that Standard Arabic, or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is on the decline, and some are happy to see it go. However, it is important to note the factors driving this decline, and what this means for the region. Arabs often see MSA’s decline as the failure of their nations to uphold the legacy […]

Middle East