Middle East

Poverty and Conflict in the Middle East

By Matthew Timmerman

From its outset, the self-immolation of a crestfallen Tunisian vegetable vendor, the Arab Spring was largely about poverty. Mohamed Bouazizi’s final words before igniting himself and the region were, “How do you expect me to make a living?”

Tunisia’s Political Prospects

Although Tunisia’s democratic transition has been rocky, it presents what has been called the “best hope” among the Arab transition states. Elections scheduled for later this year are important in their own right, but are also viewed as a litmus test for the future of inclusive politics. On Wednesday, July 30, 2014, Hariri Center nonresident […]

Q&A: Navigating a Faltering Transition in Libya

By Karim Mezran, Lara Talverdian, and Katherine Wolff

Violent battles in Libya’s capital have intensified over the past several weeks, with the Tripoli airport under siege and a recent decision by the US government to evacuate US embassy staff. Libya’s political transition has been overwhelmed by deteriorating security, but international attention is sporadic at best—often only responding to attacks from Islamist militias or […]