Project on Middle East Democracy

Project on Middle East Democracy
The POMED Wire Archives


Category: Middle Eastern Media

Iran: Protests Continue, Mousavi Fired

December 23rd, 2009 by Jason

Time reports that security forces fired tear gas and beat opposition protesters who were attending a memorial for Grand Ayatollah Montazeri today.  According to one Isfahan resident who tried to attend the memorial, “tens of thousands gathered outside for the memorial but were savagely attacked by security forces and the Basijis.” Iran’s head of police warned that there would be a “fierce” confrontation if “illegal” protests continued.

In addition to such clashes in Isfahan and elsewhere, Juan Cole cites a militia raid against the office of reformist cleric Ayatollah Yusuf Sanei in Qom, and  Gregg Carlstrom provides more details from several reformist websites. Cole argues such tactics reveal the regime’s concern “about liberalizing clergymen who might assume the mantle of Montazeri, a regime critic with impressive scholarly credentials.”

The Lede blog reports on the raid against Sanei’s office as well, while also relaying the decision of Montazeri’s family to cancel traditional mourning rituals held a week after death, which coincidentally lines up with Ashura, the Shi’ite day of mourning.  The family cited security concerns for their decision. Nonetheless, Nicholas Goldberg contends that Montazeri’s life and death show “that the revolution that was made in Qom could be undone in Qom as well.”

Meanwhile, opposition leader Mir-Hossein Mousavi has been fired from his position as head of the Academy of Arts, apparently at the request of President Ahmadinejad. In response, the vast majority of faculty members have threatened to quit in solidarity. In a comprehensive piece covering the reaction to Montazeri’s death, Michael Allen observes that both Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi “appear increasingly marginal, trying to defend or revive the Islamic Republic within a green opposition that appears more inclined to push for regime change and a more secular, democratic republic.”

Elaborating further, Mea Cyrus at Tehran Bureau argues that opposition leaders like Montazeri, Mousavi, and Karroubi “are favored by educated, secular elite only because they share a common goal: ousting Ahmadinejad and Khamenei. But until the time comes when the opposition movement is capable of producing leaders of its own, religious figures and ex-officials, dead or alive, are a good base to build upon.”

Marty Peretz believes “that the Iranian regime is trembling, trembling from fear of its own people.” In agreement, John Bolton cites three reasons for the regime’s unpopularity: the poor economy, dissatisfied youth, and ethnic discontent.  While Bolton clamors for military strikes, Nader Mousavizadeh pleads for the U.S. to not give the Iranian regime a “lifeline” by imposing harsh sanctions or undertaking military strikes, actions the hardliners in Tehran hope to provoke. Instead, the U.S. should place the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom “at the core of every policy decision.”

Tony Karon blames the current impasse in nuclear negotiations on Iran’s internal turmoil and the Obama administration’s failure to adapt its goals while imposing strict deadlines.  He concludes, “with both Obama and Ahmadinejad having been painted into corners, the deadlock is unlikely to be broken by the sanctions that are expected to be put in place in the coming months.” Finally, Laura Rozen reports on a new simulation from Tel Aviv University that corroborates a previous Harvard simulation’s conclusion that U.S. unilateral sanctions would likely backfire.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Protests, US foreign policy, sanctions | Comment »

Egypt: Moussa Won’t Run for President

December 23rd, 2009 by Jason

In an interview (Arabic) with al-Masry al-Youm, Arab League head Amr Moussa announced he will not run for president in Egypt’s 2011 elections. He explained, “The question is, is it possible? And the answer is, the road is closed.” The current constitution makes it nearly impossible for an independent candidate to run for president, and Moussa refuses to join a political party for pure “political opportunism.”

Meanwhile, President Mubarak met with King Abdullah in Riyadh today before heading on to Kuwait. They discussed the Middle East Peace Process and the Houthi insurgency in Yemen. Al-Masry al-Youm reports that the newly elected members of the MB Guidance Bureau swore fealty to General Guide Mahdi Akef yesterday. Sources within the MB suggest a new general guide will be named within two days.

Abdel-Rahman Hussein and Sarah Carr contend Egypt’s opposition groups are “blighted by internal divisions.” They observe that the Muslim Brotherhood has endured “heavy blows from the regime” as the media focused on the Brotherhood’s internal rifts. Meanwhile, Ayman Nour has been physically attacked, disbarred, and legally prohibited from running for office. While opposition groups banded together in October to campaign against the succession of Gamal Mubarak, the Kefaya movement has already withdrawn its support. Now Kefaya is left “trying to prove that it is still relevant” as it clamors for the election of an “alternative president” separate from the regime.

Babylon and Beyond delves deeper into the Muslim Brotherhood’s recent election, which resulted in a victory for the conservative faction. According to MB analyst Abdul Rehim Aly, “hard-liners couldn’t accept the presence of reformers within the group itself, so how can anyone expect them one day to have a dialogue with other people belonging to different religious and cultural backgrounds?”

Dalia Rabie explores several moral controversies of 2009, including the Ramadan arrests, the niqab ban and virginity kits, that “highlighted the conflict between Egypt’s so-called secular government and its age-old traditions.”


Posted in Arab League, Diplomacy, Elections, Human Rights, Islam and Democracy, Kuwait, Middle Eastern Media, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, Palestine, Political Islam, Saudi Arabia, Secularism, Women | Comment »

Yemen: The Need for a Broader Perspective?

December 22nd, 2009 by Jason

Time Magazine explores the potential fallout from U.S. assistance in strikes and raids against Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen. The article quotes Gregory Johnsen who warns “you can’t just go kill a few individuals and the al-Qaeda problem will go away,” especially when such attacks result in civilian casualties. As Mohammad Quhtan of Yemen’s opposition Islamist al-Islah party explains, “Al-Qaeda will be able to recruit a lot more young people, at least from the tribes that were hit.”

Instead, Johnsen repeats his call for (see our previous post) a broader American foreign policy that will undermine Al-Qaeda. He points to a Reuters article that describes how, in addition to al-Qaeda,  falling oil income, water shortages, humanitarian crises, the Houthi conflict, and a southern separatist movement all contribute to Yemen’s instability.


Posted in Middle Eastern Media, Military, Oil, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Terrorism, US foreign policy, Yemen, al-Qaeda | Comment »

Congress: Anti-American Media Bill Criticized

December 18th, 2009 by Jason

Bikya Masr reports The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) has come out criticizing a bill (see our previous post) recently passed in the House that would identify and seek to isolate international news media that broadcast “anti-American incitement to violence.”

According to ANHRI, the bill “represented a sharp additional decline on the U.S. promises to improve its poor record in civil and political freedoms locally and internationally.” Furthermore, ANHRI claims the bill violates American obligations to international treaties.  In an interview with Bikya Masr, local media analyst Hassan al-Naggar argues Congress has further “tarnishe[d] Obama’s struggling image.”

However, the article suggests Congress hopes the legislation “will create more equitable television viewing that leaves violence off American air waves.”


Posted in Congress, Freedom, Journalism, Legislation, Middle Eastern Media, NGOs, Public Opinion, US foreign policy | Comment »

Oman: Growth of Media Outlets

December 15th, 2009 by Zack

Middle East Online reports that the media scene is growing in Oman after a royal decree “heralded a new era in broadcasting, bringing to an end more than three decades of dominance by the state-owned electronic media.” The country now boasts four English newspapers and several mainstream Arabic papers and journals.  There are now three privately owned radio stations and the government is attempting to draw new investment into the broadcasting industry.

Programs on these stations cover economics, politics, culture, and sports while the “local flavour […] is of prime importance.” The article explains that “media plays an important role. It helps build public opinion, promotes national development, works as a mirror of day-to-day activities and serves as voice to the Omani citizen.”


Posted in Freedom, Journalism, Middle Eastern Media, Oman, Public Opinion | Comment »

Turkey: Subtle Shifts and Kurdish Tension

December 14th, 2009 by Zack

Claude Salhani comments that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent condemnation of Israeli action in Gaza and the AKP’s shift away from Euro-centric foreign policies “come as no surprise” in light of Europe’s continued position of stringing along E.U. accession.  For Salhani, this shift is eroding Turkey’s viability as a partner to negotiate a Middle East peace plan.

David Kenner at Foreign Policy reiterates Erdogan’s resentment towards the E.U. in a speech he gave at SAIS.  At the same time, the article sees a genuine admiration for President Obama by Erdogan for his ability to adapt quickly to Turkish dynamics.

Michael Allen writes about Erdogan’s assertion that Turkish policy is not undergoing a “reorientation from the democratic West to Eurasian and Middle East states.”  At a meeting in Washington, Erdogan downplayed reports of attacks on press freedom.  However, Allen goes on to cite recent commentary that illustrate Erdogan’s inability to tolerate criticism, his support for the Iranian elections as democratic, and the sense that Turkey has lost much of its democratic momentum.

BitterLemons-International has released its latest edition discussing the relationship between Turkey and the Kurds.  Saad Jawad traces the strained relationship between Turkey and the Kurds in northern Iraq, arguing that Turkey will not support an independent Kurdish region, perhaps to point of attacking the region and bringing Turkey into conflict with the U.S.  Ibrahim Kalin, however, notes an accelerating rapprochement between the two parties initiated by the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq.  Kalin believes the success of the newly burgeoning diplomatic ties will be determined by four principles that Turkey outlines with all of its neighbors: security for all, territorial integrity, economic integration, and deepening social relations among the people.  Lastly, Khaled Salih writes that the Erdogan government is serious about dialogue with the Kurds as part of a movement to build a strong, new vision for Turkey.  Currently, it appears the country will “likely adopt a combination of democratization and decentralization” that will recognize group identities and Salih argues that Erdogan could adapt elements from the British, Spanish, and Belgian systems in this pursuit.

In Turkey, AFP reports that Kurdish parliamentarians are debating a decision to withdraw from Parliament as the The Democratic Society Party (DTP), the largest Kurdish party, has been outlawed by the constitutional court on grounds it is linked to the PKK.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Freedom, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Kurds, Middle Eastern Media, Mideast Peace Plan, Turkey, US foreign policy | Comment »

Egypt: ElBaradei As An Independent

December 12th, 2009 by Jason

Mohamed ElBaradei, who previously indicated his willingness to consider running for the Egyptian presidency if the elections are free and fair, announced (Arabic) to al-Masry al-Youm that he would run only as an independent in Egypt’s 2011 elections. ElBaradei put an end to speculations by ruling out the possibility of him running on an opposition party platform. He stated that “entering the presidential election through a political party means I agree to the fake frame of political practices in Egypt and had granted this frame legitimacy, and that I agree to the current constitution, which lacks legitimacy because it does not allow about 95% of citizens the opportunity to run for president because political parties account for only 5% of the population.” ElBaradei added that he respects all the political parties, but as an independent man, he cannot enter the election except as an independent.
 
Meanwhile, many political forces in Egypt welcomed (Arabic) ElBaradei’s statements and demands as they described his political position as one that deserves respect and support. Ayman Nour said that “ElBaradei has the right to seek a position in the presidential race while retaining his independence, but he has no right to not seek or wait for change.” Nour added that ElBaradei’s announcement to fight for change and reform regardless of the upcoming elections makes them partners in this dream project. While Gamal Heshmat, a leader in the Muslim Brotherhood, indicated that the Brotherhood has been neutral with respect to all potential candidates because the picture is still not clear, he indicated that if the competition was between Gamal Mubarakand Dr. ElBaradei, then the “the balance will be in favor of the latter.” However, he added that ElBaradei might not be able to run in the coming elections because amending the constitution is not an option for the Egyptian regime. 
 
If ElBaradei were to run as an independent, he would need the backing of 250 elected representatives across both houses of parliament and local councils — all of which are dominated by Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party.


Posted in Egypt, Elections, Middle Eastern Media, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Parties | 1 Comment »

Iran: Gates Expects Significant Sanctions

December 12th, 2009 by Jason

Speaking in Erbil, Iraq, Secretary Gates said today that he expects the U.S. and its allies will impose “significant additional sanctions” on Iran because of Iran’s failure to follow through on negotiations. At the same time, he explained a military strike “would only buy some time, maybe two or three years.”

Danielle Pletka argues the U.S. should consider sanctions that are not just “inevitable,” but “effective” as well. Towards that end, she recommends several kinds of sanctions that will “hit hardest at the regime, and affect ordinary Iranians only incidentally.” However, Laura Rozen of Politico points to two more analyses of the recent Harvard simulation that “bode poorly for the pressure track the U.S. with support of some of its P5+1 partners is embarking on.” Nonetheless, she also notes that the simulation fails to adequately account for Europe’s role and consider an outcome between unilateral sanctions and UN Security Council sanctions.

insideIran reports that Iran’s Intelligence Minister Heydar Moslehi has launched an attack against reform-minded former president Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani. Moslehi accused Rafsanjani of espousing the views of the opposition after Rafsanjani stated last week that if the people of Iran no longer support Iran’s leaders, then they should no longer be in power.  Meanwhile, Tehran’s Prosecutor announced that of the 204 protesters arrested during Student Day, 86 have been released and fate of the remaining detainees will be decided soon. Finally, in response to Majid Tavakoli’s arrest and government-staged photo of him wearing women’s clothing, opposition-minded men have come out in support by also wearing women’s clothing.

Despite the regime’s efforts, Mir Hossein Moussavi remains steadfast. The Economist quotes him warning the regime “In the streets, you are fighting with shadows. And your ramparts are collapsing, one by one, in the hearts of the people.” The article goes on to provide a history of events that have led from the disputed election in June to this week’s Student Day Protests, explaining how the protests seem to have radicalized under the increased brutality of the regime. Drewery Dyke in The Guardian calls on the international community to nurture “what hope there is” for human rights in Iran. Dyke also analyzes how the opposition have shown “the genie is now out of the bottle and there are signs that Iran’s governmental elites will have difficulty in putting it back.”

The Los Angeles Times editorial staff joins in, calling on the West to rhetorically and morally support the reform movement while also not undermining the cause “with too close an embrace.” Responding to President Obama’s reference to “the hundred of thousands who have marched silently through the streets of Iran,” Michael Ledeen warns that ”words aren’t nearly enough. But they are essential.” Jackson Diehl, meanwhile, wishes Obama had gone further in support of the Iranian opposition in the speech.

Lastly, Tehran Bureau offers a useful guide to Iranian media and describes their reputations and slants.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Elections, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Iraq, Journalism, Legislation, Middle Eastern Media, Multilateralism, Oil, Protests, US foreign policy, sanctions | Comment »

Turkey: Questioning the Future

December 2nd, 2009 by Zack

Soner Cagaptay examines the seven years of AKP rule in Turkey for the Washington Institute.  He writes that the AKP started out as a moderate Islamist movement indifferent to Turkey’s E.U. hopes, but with European Court of Human Rights decision to uphold the Turkish ban on headscarves and the military’s failed attempt to unseat the party, the AKP has eroded its E.U. aspirations and moved towards an authoritarian regime based on orthopraxy.  The AKP has also worked to undermine liberal principles, including free speech, and continues to align itself with anti-Western and Islamist regimes, resulting in an “a la carte moralistic foreign policy.”  Cagaptay believes the AKP “demonstrates that Islamists distort Islam, re-imagining it as inherently illiberal at home” and proves that “Islamism may not be compatible with the West, after all.”

David Schenker argues that Turkey has moved away from the West and towards Syria for two reasons: first, Turkey is no longer dependent on Israel to pressure Syria into not providing a safe haven for Kurdish extremists and, second, the Islamist shift in Turkish politics has shifted the country’s foreign policy paradigm. Damascus has naturally embraced rapprochement because the new face of Turkey is more amenable and Turkey can provide an avenue to facilitate diplomatic relations with Europe.

Michael Rubin writes that PM Erdogan is the new Vladimir Putin in his disdain for the free press and Rubin laments President Obama’s decision to turn a blind eye towards journalist abuses.  Rubin, then, advertises a meeting of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Thursday morning at 10:30 on Turkey.

The Daily Star reports that Negar Azizmoradi, the head of the Iranian branch of the Rael sect, a group that rejects the “existence of any god and believe extraterrestrials created the earth,” faces deportation from Turkey to Iran, where she faces execution.

In other news, The Daily Star reports that Turkey has signed a free-trade agreement with Jordan that “is key to enhancing bilateral economic cooperation and boosting trade as well as investments between Jordan and Turkey.”


Posted in Freedom, Human Rights, Islamist movements, Kurds, Middle Eastern Media, Political Parties, Reform, Turkey, US foreign policy | Comment »

Egypt: Soccer Distracts from Politics

November 24th, 2009 by Jason

The ongoing soccer feud between Egypt and Algeria continues to simmer, as many start probing the conflict for its political implications. The Arabist quotes Al Shurouq editor Hany Shukrallah who argues (in Arabic) that social and political life in the Arab wold has weakened to such an extent that people “search for easy contests, areas in which to let loose our stored up anger and frustration and feelings of humiliation, as long as this costs us no effort, and exposes us to no punishment.”

Meanwhile, Dalia Ziada at Bikya Masr is happy that Egypt lost the match against Algeria, otherwise the Egyptians would be distracted by soccer at a pivotal point in its political history. Next year, the parliamentary elections will determine who will write the laws that will govern the all-important presidential election in 2011. It is this struggle over constitutional amendments that is “the real battle which Egyptians should pay enough attention to,” not some over-hyped sporting event that acts as a “drug of patriotism.” The question remains, however, how “to mobilize the people again to the new cause” of political reform.

Finally, Baher Ibrahim explores the recent increase in sectarian violence between Muslims and Christians in Egypt.


Posted in Egypt, Elections, Middle Eastern Media, Reform, Sectarianism | 1 Comment »

Iran: More Censorship, More Arrests

November 24th, 2009 by Jason

After apparently rejecting a nuclear deal last week, Iran signaled it could send its uranium abroad for enrichment if given “100 percent guarantees” it would be returned. However, Michael Crowley at the Plank quotes George Perkovich, who warns that nuclear negotiations cannot succeed while Iranian internal politics remains under such disarray.

Meanwhile, The New York Times reports that the Iranian regime ”appears to be starting a far more ambitious effort to discredit its opponents and re-educate Iran’s mostly young and restive population.” Among other initiatives, they have deployed Basij militia to teach the Islamic Revolution in elementary schools, the Revolutionary Guards have acquired the country’s telecommunications monopoly, and the Guards will open a news agency within the next few months. But, according to Mehrzad Boroujerdiof Syracuse University, similar “previous efforts to reinstall orthodoxy have only exacerbated cleavages between citizens and the state.” Iranian authorities have also banned the country’s largest-circulation newspaper after it published a photograph of a Baha’i temple. Approximately 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but they are often persecuted as a minority faith.

Despite these initiatives, Omid Memarian praises Frontline’s “A Death in Tehran” documentary that “exposes the Iranian government’s fierce but failed endeavors to manipulate the truth.” According to Memarian, the spread of the Internet and mobile devices represents a “paradigm shift” in communication that the Iranian government is ill-equipped to control. However, the regime can still imprison its citizens. The journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi was sentenced to five years in prison and, earlier this month, student leader Abdollah Momeni was sentenced to eight years. Furthermore, prominent reformist Mohammad Atrianfar was released on $500,000 bail after being sentenced to a six-year prison term. In response to the continued crackdown, the opposition has called for another protest on December 7th, known in Iran as Student Day.


Posted in EU, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Journalism, Judiciary, Middle Eastern Media, US foreign policy, sanctions | Comment »

Reflecting on Afghan Strategy

November 13th, 2009 by Jason

President Obama rejected accusations of dithering yesterday, insisting that he will decide on a strategy soon that will not entail an “open-ended” commitment to Afghanistan. Secretary Gates also confirmed, “we’re getting toward the end of this process.”

That process was thrown a curve ball when someone leaked confidential cables from Ambassador Eikenberry that argued against a troop increase (see our previous post).  Andrew Exum fumes that “whoever leaked these classified cables has cut the knees out from underneath the most important U.S. representative in Kabul” by poisoning the relationship between Eikenberry and Hamid Karzai (h/t Daily Dish). Michael Cohen at Democracy Arsenal contends the anger of some military officers over Eikenberry’s lack of support is ironic given that Eikenberry is doing exactly what General McChrystal’s report demands: evaluating whether we have the legitimate Afghan partner we need to succeed.

As Fred Kaplan reiterates, “if the government is particularly corrupt or incompetent, it won’t be able to build on the security wrought by a good counterinsurgency campaign, thus nullifying our success and sacrifice.” President Obama is therefore seeking ways to circumvent the central government and support provincial leaders instead.  In fact, corruption runs rampant in Afghanistan, as explained by an Al Jazeera English clip linked to by Juan Cole. But there have been success in Afghanistan as well, as a New York Times  article on the National Solidarity Program shows. The program provides direct grants to village councils for development projects instead of relying on the corrupt central government or overpriced foreign contractors.

Geoffrey Kemp in the National Interest warns that a counterterror strategy neglects the “fight for democratic universal values, such as women’s rights,” that has constituted the primary motivation for our European partners in Afghanistan.  Therefore, if President Obama “lowers the bar on reform and universal values, then many Europeans will ask what’s the point of being there?” Citing the failures of the Soviets, Deepak Tripathi insists at Cole’s Informed Comment blog that the U.S. should forgo a counterinsurgency strategy in favor of allowing the development of democratic institutions and processes, fighting corruption, encouraging the rule of law, and building modern schools. The Soviet precedent is also on the mind of Matthew Yglesias, who posted an interesting map of the Soviet “ink spots” of control just prior to their withdrawal.

Finally, Rich Lowry at the Corner warns against the President micromanaging the Afghan war: “no plan so finely tuned from on high is going to survive its first contact with reality.” Instead, the president should support a “dumb” Afghan strategy and let the implementers be “savvy and adaptive.”


Posted in Afghanistan, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Multilateralism, Reform, Secularism, Taliban, US foreign policy, US politics, al-Qaeda | Comment »

Embracing Karzai?

November 10th, 2009 by Jason

Despite recent reports that President Obama was nearing a decision to deploy approximately 30,000 more troops, Meteor Blades at the Daily Kos explains that National Security Advisor Jim Jones denied the reports as “absolutely false.” Richard Cohen argues the U.S. must either surge or revert to counter-terrorism operations, as any middle ground would be not enough to win and just enough to lose. Max Boot urges President Obama to “embrace Karzai and give him some pointers while nudging him in a more reformist direction.” According to Boot, Karzai especially needs to learn how to act as a wartime president, as Prime Minister Maliki learned to do in Iraq.

Tom Hayden asks whether it is worth sending our soldiers to fight and die for a corrupt, unpopular Afghan regime. Furthermore, Hayden suggests that U.S. officials are not so much annoyed by corruption, but by Karzai’s willingness to negotiate with the Taliban before NATO can bargain from “a position of strength.” Any American willingness to negotiate with the Taliban hinges on their rejection of al-Qaeda. Juan Cole cites a recent Al-Jazeera interview in which Afghan militant Gulbadin Hikmatyar criticizes Usama Bin Laden as proof of a schism between al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Furthermore, Cole reasons that if the Taliban controls 10-15 percent of Afghanistan and there are only 100 al-Qaeda members in the country, then “neo-Talibanism does not imply the return of al-Qaeda.”


Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Taliban, Terrorism, US foreign policy, al-Qaeda | Comment »

Will ElBaradei Run?

November 9th, 2009 by Jason

Mohamed ElBaradei announced he would consider running for president if he had “written” guarantees of a “free and fair election.” However, Article 76 of the Egyptian constitution requires a candidate to receive 250 signatures from both legislative houses and local councils to run for president, a nearly insurmountable task given the ruling party’s dominance in parliament.

Meanwhile,  an Egyptian police officer has been sentenced to five years in prison for torturing a mentally disabled suspect this summer. However, Ayman Nourwarned that in these kinds of cases, “officers are sent to prison for short periods and they are reinstated in their jobs right after their release.” Nour was recently banned by the Egyptian government from traveling to the United States, leading the U.S. to urge Cairo to reconsider its decision.

The Arabist points to an article by Hossam Tammam on the Muslim Brotherhood, in which he avoids the typical moderate versus conservative dichotomy and instead describes a schism between “inward-looking vs. outward-looking” groups. According to Tammam, the current Supreme Guide Mahdi Akef’s attempts to bridge the divide between these groups began to crumble after internal squabbles during the MB’s attempt to formulate a coherent party platform in 2007. As the conservatives gained more influence after the 2008 internal council elections and the arrests of reformist MB leaders, Akef began an active attempt to balance their influence with the failed appointment of Essam El-Erian to the Guidance Bureau. Now, Akef is no longer viewed as a neutral arbitrator between the two camps. Tammam predicts that reformist MBs may grow increasingly disenchanted with the conservative leadership, but “the deeper effect of the crisis will be see in greater organisational and ideological rigidity.”

Finally, the Egyptian NileSat and the Saudi-managed Arabsat satellite companies have stopped broadcasting Iran’s Arabic-speaking news channel, the World. Officially, the broadcasts were stopped because the companies received complaints that the World was airing material against the region’s religious and political values. However, according to Amro Hassan at Babylon and Beyond, some sources believe the cancellation has more to do with the Sunni Arab world’s fear of meddling by Iran in their internal affairs.


Posted in Egypt, Elections, Iran, Islamist movements, Journalism, Middle Eastern Media, Muslim Brotherhood, Saudi Arabia, US foreign policy | Comment »

The Green Wave Surges

November 5th, 2009 by Jason

Reports continue to filter in about yesterday’s protests on the anniversary of the American embassy takeover in 1979. Juan Cole suggests that, by protesting on this day, the opposition are “implicitly likening the government of Khamenei to that of the shah […] his regime is not less internally repressive.” NiacINsight has posted comprehensive summaries of the day’s events by the opposition website Green Freedom Wave (translated by the New York Times Company).

In addition to the protesters who were beaten by a baton-wielding militia, at least 12 people were arrested, including a university student, an AFP reporter and several members of the Office for Consolidating Unity (Tahkim Vahdat) as reported by Tehran Bureau. In addition, the reform cleric Mehdi Karroubi joined the protests, but was forced to retreat after a teargas attack sent his bodyguard to the hospital.

Read the rest of this entry »


Posted in Congress, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Journalism, Judiciary, Middle Eastern Media, NGOs, Political Parties, Public Opinion, US foreign policy, US politics, sanctions | 1 Comment »

Change Lebanon’s System?

October 30th, 2009 by Jason

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri once again failed to reach a deal to create a cabinet. Michel Aoun is now insisting on receiving either the Justice Ministry or the Public Works and Transportation Ministry if he gives up the coveted Telecommunications Ministry. However, MP Walid Jumblatt, who currently controls the Public Works and Transportation Ministry, rejected the suggestion of a trade. Meanwhile, Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir declared “weapons and democracy cannot coexist, nor can the majority and the minority meet in one government.”

In addition, the Lebanese watchdog organization Maharat criticized the media’s coverage of this summer’s elections yesterday. According to a report issued by the organization, the media failed to reach minimum standards of objectivity and balance, as required by law.

Osama Gharizi contends in The Daily Star that ”if you want national-unity government in Lebanon, change the electoral system to one of proportional representation.” Currently, Lebanon operates under a majoritarian bloc vote system where the winning party earns the prerogative to form a cabinet of its choosing. However, the opposition is arguing that, because it won the popular vote in the previous election, they should have a share in government. But Gharizi dismisses such a demand as “anathema” under the current system. Instead, he suggests moving to a proportional vote system which “is usually preferred for countries with multiple confessions or ethnicities, like Lebanon, since it alone can guarantee that all groups, or parties that represent those groups, will be represented in Parliament and the Cabinet.”

Rima Merhi argues in The Christian Science Monitor that “Washington only sees Hezbollah as a military wing backed by Syria and Iran. To make any headway, the U.S. must acknowledge the diversity of Hezbollah’s supporters and move beyond the group’s military side to appreciate the religious, political, economic, and social ties that connect Hezbollah with its supporters.” The Daily Star  reports that a Hezbollah delegation asked the Interior Minister Ziyad Baroud to extend greater government control over the southern suburbs of Beirut, a traditional Hezbollah stronghold.


Posted in Elections, Hezbollah, Iran, Islamist movements, Lebanon, Middle Eastern Media, Political Islam, Political Parties, Reform, Sectarianism, Syria, US foreign policy | Comment »

Turkish and Israeli Tensions

October 23rd, 2009 by Zack

The Daily Star is running a report that Turkey’s public broadcaster (TRT) has removed scenes of Israeli violence against Palestinians from a television series after it caused a diplomatic row with Israel.  While the producer says the series does not incite hatred of Israelis, the first episode of “Separation: Palestine in Love and in War” portrayed Israeli forces shooting innocent Palestinian civilians, insulting and ridiculing them.

At the same time, Turkey has withdrawn from joint military exercises with Israel.  Yoav Stern at SyriaComment is arguing that Turkey has shunned Israel in favor of building stronger ties with Syria and Simon Tisdall argues that Israel is underestimating Turkey’s resentment over the Gaza situation and therefore risks losing its strongest regional ally.


Posted in Diplomacy, Israel, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Turkey | Comment »

Struggle for Human Rights in Iran

October 16th, 2009 by Jason

Laura Rozen reports the October 19th meeting of IAEA, the October 25th IAEA inspection of Qum, and a follow up meeting with the P5+1 and Iran all loom large in the coming weeks. Moving forward, Patrick Clawson identifies three key issues for negotiations: “Iran’s nuclear clock, creating transparency through verification, and resolving the fundamental issues between Iran and the international community.” He warns that negotiations should not last indefinitely and the Iranian regime may view negotiations as an opportunity to crack down on the opposition movement.

Meanwhile, the House passed the Iran Divestment bill 414-6 yesterday. If passed into law, the bill will allow state and local governments to divest funds from companies who conduct more than $20 million of business a year with Iran’s energy sector. Despite broad congressional support, many people, including Iranian opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, worry the sanctions will only harm the Iranian people.

Read the rest of this entry »


Posted in Elections, Freedom, Hamas, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Iran, Legislation, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Neocons, US foreign policy, US politics, Women, sanctions | 1 Comment »

Censoring Moderate Arab Voices

October 14th, 2009 by Daniel

Cynthia Schneider and Nadia Oweidat argue in an essay on CNN’s website that liberal and moderate Arab voices are being shut out by censors. Contrary to popular belief, there are many Arab writers critical of religious extremism and supportive of moderation, women’s rights, and political liberalization. These voices are not heard because of governments across the Middle East destroy the books and block the websites they do not want their subjects to read. They call on the Obama administration not to “spoon-feed” democratic messages to the Middle East through programs like al-Hurra, but to condemn censorship and allow moderate Arab voices to be heard.


Posted in Egypt, Journalism, Middle Eastern Media, Secularism, US foreign policy, Women | Comment »

Quelling Dissent in Egypt

September 28th, 2009 by Zack

Agence France Presse reports that 16 members of the Muslim Brotherhood were arrested over the weekend, bringing the total number of jailed MB to 250.  Mohammad Habib, second-in-command of the Brotherhood, believes that the arrests are “another attempt by authorities to distance the Muslim Brotherhood from Egyptian political life.”

Lee Smith at the Weekly Standard laments the recent campaign against editor and analyst Hala Mustafa for meeting with Israel’s envoy to Egypt, Shalom Cohen, to discuss a possible symposium.  Smith charges that the “boycott of the Zionist enemy” that the Egytian press syndicate adopted in 1983 is a “paranoid” attempt to resist all forms of normalization with Israel.

Michael Totten has published an article with Commentary Magazine about the intellectual and social persecution Egyptian playwright Ali Salem faced after he traveled to Israel in 1994 to “rid himself of hatred” and to better understand the value of peace between the two countries.  Totten attributes Salem’s experience to an inherent Arab preference for conflict over peace.

In releated news, Joseph Mayton at The Media Line reports on the development of Ana TV, part of a new moderate Islamic media syndicate founded by IslamOnline.  Ana TV seeks to present a more balanced interpretation of Islam aimed at younger viewers.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Israel, Journalism, Middle Eastern Media | Comment »