Content

In the News

Jan 19, 2014

Slavin: Iran Nuclear Deal Takes Effect

By Barbara Slavin

Barbara Slavin writes on Iran’s implementation of the recently-finalized interim nuclear deal for Al Jazeera America:

Iran

MENASource

Jan 18, 2014

Official Results: 98.1 Percent Vote in Favor of Egypt’s New Constitution with 38.6 Percent Voter Turnout

By EgyptSource

Several days after polling stations closed on January 15, the High Elections Commission announced the results of the 2014 constitutional referendum, which took place over a period of two days. On January 18, Nabil Salib, head of the High Elections Commission announced voter turnout, and the number of votes in favor and against the constitution. 

North Africa Political Reform
An Antonov An-124 with two Sukhoi Su-27s

NATOSource

Jan 17, 2014

Russia Steps Up Military Aid to Syria’s Assad – Sources

By Jonathan Saul, Reuters

In recent weeks Russia has stepped up supplies of military gear to Syria, including armored vehicles, drones and guided bombs, boosting President Bashar al-Assad just as rebel infighting has weakened the insurgency against him

Drones Russia

SouthAsiaSource

Jan 17, 2014

This Week in South Asia: January 11 -17

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.Pakistan The Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies issued a report citing 687 sectarian killings in the country last year, a 22% increase from 2012, and expressed concerns for regional spillover. These statistics are particularly concerning […]

Afghanistan India

MENASource

Jan 17, 2014

Known Unknown: Why the Egyptian Referendum is a Black Box

By Matthew Hall

Voting for the Egyptian Constitutional referendum concluded Wednesday but it will be impossible to learn the actual outcome. Yes, on Saturday the High Electoral Commission will announce the official results, but the severely limited state of domestic and international electoral observation precludes independent verification of government assertions. This is a serious concern for an election […]

North Africa Political Reform
REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

New Atlanticist

Jan 17, 2014

Egypt’s Constitutional Vote: Not a Free Pass for Army Rule

By New Atlanticist

Last week’s constitutional referendum in Egypt yielded a lop-sided result that recalls the non-democratic elections of the decades before the Arab Spring of 2011. Election officials say 98 percent of voters approved the constitution proposed by the military-backed government. Egyptian lawyer Hafsa Halawa cautions against a conventional wisdom that sees this result as a success […]

North Africa Political Reform

In the News

Jan 17, 2014

Slavin Joins NPR on Iran’s Role at Syrian Peace Talks

South Asia Center Senior Fellow Barbara Slavin joins NPR’s Morning Edition to assess Iran’s role at the Syrian peace talks in Geneva.

Iran

In the News

Jan 16, 2014

Kroenig Talks Iran Deal and New Sanctions

By Matthew Kroenig

Brent Scowcroft Center Senior Fellow Matthew Kroenig talks with CBC News’ Lang & O’Leary Exchange about the Iranian nuclear deal and the possibility of new sanctions should talks around a comprehensive deal collapse.  Watch the interview here (begins at 36:30). Watch the interview here (begins at 36:30).

Iran

MENASource

Jan 16, 2014

The Turnaround of the Egyptian Economy in 2014

By Mohsin Khan

Since January 2011, the Egyptian economy has been in a steady downward spiral. During the past three years economic growth averaged an anemic 2 percent per year, inflation was in double-digits, and the unemployment rate went from 9 percent in 2010 to over 13 percent in 2013. Finally, foreign exchange reserves of the Central Bank […]

North Africa

In the News

Jan 16, 2014

Itani Talks Hariri Assassination Tribunal

By Faysal Itani

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Fellow Faysal Itani joins BBC World News to discuss the trial of four men accused of carrying out the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri:

Middle East

Experts

Events