Middle East

The Reinstatement of Egypt’s Police Force

By Sarah El-Rashidi

As Egyptians took to the streets in widespread protest against ousted president Mohamed Morsi’s regime, a peculiar sight graced the demonstrations. Rather than facing off with Egypt’s police force, Egyptians marched side by side with uniformed officers. Policemen passed out bottles of water, as their colleagues were carried on the shoulders of anti-Morsi protesters. While […]

This Week in South Asia: December 7-13

Commentary from the South Asia Center on the most relevant news from the region, and suggested “must-read” analyses from the week.

MENASource Discussions: Moving Beyond Yemen’s Political Paralysis [Video]

By MENASource

On the sidelines of an Atlantic Council symposium on Yemen’s economic challenges, which discussed the findings of a new report on the topic, Yemen’s Economic Agenda: Beyond Short-Term, Danya Greenfield interviewed three Yemeni experts

Syria: Extremism as a Force for Good

By Frederic C. Hof

Karl Rove, onetime senior advisor to President George W. Bush, reportedly told an interviewer, “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality.” Substitute the word “speak” for “act” and one has the reality-creating corollary of the Obama administration.

Gulf Nations Announce Joint Military Command

By KUNA and Defense News

In a big step forward to consolidate Gulf joint security, Arab Gulf leaders agreed Wednesday on the establishment of a joint military command and police.

Sahar Aziz Speaks to EgyptSource about Egypt’s New Draft Constitution [Video]

By EgyptSource

In a series of short videos, Dr. Sahar Aziz, Associate Professor at Texas A&M  University School of Law, spoke to EgyptSource about Egypt’s new draft constitution. Aziz highlights key negative and positive changes in the 2013 draft constitution, as well as commenting on the ramifications of an interim government issuing legislation in light of the […]

Nathan Brown Speaks to EgyptSource about Egypt’s New Draft Constitution [Video]

By EgyptSource

In a series of short videos, Dr. Nathan Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University spoke to EgyptSource about Egypt’s new draft constitution. Dr. Brown highlights how the 2013 draft constitution differs from its predecessor, comments on the role of state instutions and the judiciary in the draft, and finally […]

Building a better US-Gulf partnership

By Richard LeBaron

A new Atlantic Council issue brief, “Building a Better US-Gulf Partnership,” contends that the United States and its Gulf partners must prioritize and build on their shared interests in light of ongoing erosion of ties, and a fundamental gap in expectations about the US role in the region and its commitment to security for the […]

Congress Avoids Clash on Iran Sanctions But Road Ahead Uncertain

By Barbara Slavin

Congress appears poised to give the Barack Obama administration some early Christmas gifts as it finishes its work for the year. A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House and Senate on Tuesday reached a budget compromise that, if passed by both bodies, would avert the threat of another government shutdown in early 2014. Meanwhile, a […]