Middle East

Slavin: Former Radicals Are Now the Moderates We Need

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes in the New York Times‘ Room for Debate that the United States should reconsider its decision to deny a visa to Iran’s newly appointed ambassador to the UN, Hamid Aboutalebi:

Iran

MENASource

Why Assad’s Foothold in the Golan Will Endure

By Daniel Stoker

During the three years of war across the border in Syria, periodic reports have surfaced claiming that the Druze population in the Israeli controlled Golan Heights is inching closer to turning against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Syria

MENASource

Egypt’s Presidential Elections: Washington and the Western Camp [Part IV]

By Nader Bakkar

Since June 30, the United States has faced an escalating crisis in its strategic relationship with Egypt. A lack of trust in key parties involved in the country’s transition has caused a great deal of confusion and hesitancy in Washington towards Egypt and its upcoming presidential elections, which are less than two months away.

Elections North Africa

New Atlanticist

Mideast Diplomacy Looks Bleak but Alternatives are Worse

By Barbara Slavin

The Obama administration has certainly had better weeks in Middle East diplomacy. The Israeli-Palestinian talks appear to be collapsing in a fit of finger-pointing, and Syria increasingly resembles a slow-motion Rwanda. Only Iran negotiations continue to progress, albeit with obstacles looming as the parties approach a mid-summer deadline for a long-term nuclear agreement.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Tunisia’s Promise and Strategic Potential

By Lara Talverdian

After a year of heightened tensions, growing divisions, and two high-profile assassinations, Tunisians launched a national dialogue that culminated in the adoption of a progressive constitution in January 2014.

North Africa

MENASource

Corruption in Construction: Egypt’s Failing Infrastructure

By Amira Mikhail

As Egypt’s political failure continues to permeate various sectors—the economy, health system and security—decades of poor management and little accountability have led to the failing of a key sector: Egypt’s real estate market. The recent spate of collapsing buildings reveals an infrastructure that is literally shaking at its core.

North Africa

New Atlanticist

Amid Europe’s Crisis, Danger Signs From Egypt

By James Rupert

As the United States and Europe (and the Atlantic Council) grapple with the crisis over Russia’s attacks on Ukraine, danger signs rise like signal flares from the Middle East. The latest reminder at the Council is an essay by Aziz El-Kaissouni, a political analyst and former Reuters correspondent in Cairo.

North Africa

MENASource

Egypt’s Terrorism a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

By MENASource

Without a doubt, Egypt faces difficult times with constant attacks on security and military personnel, installations, and outposts. With democratic development on the backburner, the military-backed interim government has turned to increased authoritarian repression to stamp out political dissent and revive the old sense of normalcy—but normalcy in Egypt is not stability.

North Africa

Experts

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Fellow

Nic Adams

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Akeel Abbas

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Human Rights

Millennium fellow

Hussein Al Baya

Partner, Wildcard

Millennium Leadership Program

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

Millennium fellow

Saeed Al Nazari

Secretary General, Great Arab Minds

Millennium Leadership Program

Education Middle East

Fellow

Osamah Al Rawhani