Content

MENASource

May 5, 2014

Syria: No Cogent Alternatives

By Frederic C. Hof

In its May 4, 2014 editorial “President Obama and the World,” The New York Times employed a customary administration talking point in an otherwise balanced and even critical review of the president’s foreign policy stewardship, including his handling of the Syria crisis: “His critics are inconsistent in their philosophies [i.e. some want airstrikes, some want more weapons […]

Syria

MENASource

May 5, 2014

The Week in Egypt [May 5, 2014]

By Daniel Stoker

Catch up on the latest out of Egypt every week, with analysis, news updates, photos, videos, and more.

North Africa

In the News

May 5, 2014

Itani: New Diplomatic Status is a “Blow” to Assad

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center Resident Fellow Faysal Itani is quoted by McClatchy on US efforts to rebrand the Syrian opposition:

Syria

Report

May 5, 2014

Libya’s Faustian bargains: Breaking the appeasement cycle

By Karim Mezran, Jason Pack, and Mohamed Eljarh

A new Atlantic Council report examines the threats to Libya’s stability, provides a detailed mapping of the militia landscape, and details policy options for the Libyan government and its international partners. In Libya’s Faustian Bargains: Breaking the Appeasement Cycle, the authors attribute the cycle of violence, intractable political stalemate, and weakened economy to the Libyan […]

Conflict Democratic Transitions

SouthAsiaSource

May 2, 2014

This Week in South Asia: April 26 – May 2

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week. IndiaAs India approaches its final phase of voting, two isolated incidents of violence erupted in the north east and southern regions of the country.  Separatist rebels opened fire on a Muslim village this week […]

Afghanistan India
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MENASource

May 2, 2014

The Death Sentence: The Consequences of Taking the Wrong Path [Part I]

By Yussef Auf

A new chapter in the discourse of Egypt’s revolution, post-July 3rd, has seen hundreds of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood sentenced to death. With Mohamed Morsi’s removal from power, the political situation has spun out of control. What began as mere political differences has transformed into violent confrontations.  Egypt has been pulled into a cycle […]

North Africa

MENASource

May 2, 2014

A New Phase of Counterfeiting Cognizance

By Amr Hamzawy

The vast majority of Egyptians today, both men and women, are bombarded with a relentless media barrage that falsely exaggerates the seriousness and competitiveness of the upcoming presidential election and ignores the glaring truths surrounding it. The former defense minister is running for president after the military establishment intervened in politics in July of 2013. […]

North Africa

MENASource

May 2, 2014

Could a Maliki Win Hurt Democracy in Iraq?

By Ryan J. Suto

Iraqis went to the polls on April 30 to elect a new Council of Representatives, which will produce a new government and prime minister. These elections come in the face of intense sectarian violence and bring forth deeply important questions about how the government should address these and other issues moving forward.

Iraq

In the News

May 1, 2014

Slavin: Egypt Equates Political Dissent with Terrorism

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Voice of America on why the United States should speak truthfully with Egypt and why America’s dismay with Egypt’s repressive relapse should not be surprising:

North Africa

In the News

May 1, 2014

Slavin on Ambassador Crocker’s Warning

By Barbara Slavin

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin writes for Al-Monitor on an address given by former US Ambassador Ryan Crocker at the Council on Foreign Relations:

Syria

Experts

Events