Programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Libya

Content

MENASource

Oct 7, 2013

Former President Morsi’s Legal Liability for Incitement to Violence

By Ryan J. Suto

In early September, former Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and others in the Muslim Brotherhood were charged under Egyptian domestic law with incitement to the murder of protesters in December 2012. Egyptian authorities have provided no details of the evidence against him. However, Morsi and the Brotherhood were responsible for several other instances of incitement during […]

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 7, 2013

Fireworks and Blood Mark Egypt’s Victory Day

By Marwa Farid

The commemoration of the fortieth Anniversary of the Sixth of October Victory, this year, is bittersweet. It has been sweet for the general population, celebrating the day with festivities, and activities organized by the army in the squares and skies of Egypt. Yet, a good day turned sour as events unfolded and clashes broke out […]

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 3, 2013

Elections in Libya Will Signal Progress on Constitution

By Duncan Pickard

The General National Congress (GNC) of Libya made significant progress in the country’s slogging transition to democracy in July when it passed an electoral law to govern the elections of a sixty-member constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.

Libya

MENASource

Oct 2, 2013

An Eye on Egypt’s Amended Constitution: Military Articles

Continuing EgyptSource’s constitutional coverage, in this installment we look at the articles relating to the military, namely the debate over military trials in the constitution, the appointment of the minister of defense, and the armed forces’ budget. Keep up with all of EgyptSource’s constitution roundups  here.

North Africa Political Reform

MENASource

Oct 1, 2013

Tamarod: A Mild Rebellion

By Rana Muhammad Taha

In late April, a group of unknown young Egyptian men announced the formation of a campaign against former Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi and his regime. Today, that same group, Tamarod, or ‘Rebel,’ is one of the military-backed interim regime’s most ardent supporters.

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 1, 2013

Not My Brotherhood’s Keeper: The Fallacy of Crushing Egypt’s Chief Islamist Group

By Amro Ali

By the time philosopher Hannah Arendt penned the words in her 1970 work On Violence: “The means used to achieve political goals are more often than not of greater relevance to the future world than the intended goals,” a generation of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood transitioning into the Anwar Sadat era were reeling from the “means” […]

North Africa

MENASource

Oct 1, 2013

Decentralization in Libya

By Duncan Pickard

Questions of decentralization pervade policy debates in Libya. After decades of harsh and highly centralized rule under Muammar Qaddafi, policymakers, scholars, and civil-society activists are contemplating how to unpack state authority to empower cities and regional development.

Libya

MENASource

Sep 30, 2013

Top News: FJP Deputy Sets Conditions for Dialogue; Presidential Advisor to Meet with Former MB Members

By EgyptSource

In a video aired by Al Jazeera on Sunday, Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) Vice President Essam al-Erian has called for dialogue on condition that those “who led the coup” admit their wrong doings and reinstate deposed President Mohamed Morsi.

North Africa

MENASource

Sep 30, 2013

Islamic Law in the Libyan Constitution: Beyond “A” and “The”

By Duncan Pickard

The debate about the role of Islam in new constitutions in Libya, Tunisia, and Egypt has begun with the formulation of the role of Islamic sharia in lawmaking: should Islamic sharia be the source, the principal source, or a source among sources of legislation?

Libya

MENASource

Sep 29, 2013

This Week in Egypt – September 29, 2013

By Amira Mikhail

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

North Africa

Experts