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In the past month, the Arab world has been rocked by popular uprisings that led to the exile of the president of Tunisia and are now playing out on the streets of Cairo. The Middle East – and the rest of the world – is watching to see if anger at authoritarian governments spreads and whether the region will be reshaped by the demands of ordinary citizens. Here is a look at the current political situation in other countries in the region.
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Bahrain
Leader: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, monarch since 1999
Politics on the ground: The Khalifa family has ruled since 1783 and Khalifa is set to be followed by his son, Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa. Bahrain has an elected parliament that allows the Shiite opposition to voice dissent on social issues and perceived sectarian discrimination, but it has little real power. The government regularly cracks down on Shiite opposition groups, and youth in Shiite villages often clash with police. (Source: Reuters)
More details: BBC
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Egypt
Leader: President Hosni Mubarak
Politics on the ground: Thousands of Egyptians have taken to the streets to protest against the authoritarian regime of Mubarak in the most serious challenge to his 30-year rule. Responding to mass protests, Mubarak announced that he would not run for re-election in the next presidential election in September 2011. But demonstrators are not satisfied with that claim and are demanding his ouster immediately. Repression and poverty are driving the uprising.
More information: Council on Foreign Relations
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Iran
Leader: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, re-elected president in 2009
Politics on the ground: Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saluted an "Islamic liberation movement" in the Arab world and advised Egyptians to unite around their religion and against the West. Khamenei warned them against compromising with any leader who might win Western approval and called on Egypt's army to back the protesters and "focus its eyes on the Zionist enemy" Israel. Ahmadinejad has maintained political control with a crackdown on the opposition, which took to the streets to challenge his 2009 re-election.(Source: Reuters, BBC and AP)
More information: BBC
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Iraq
Leader: Nuri al-Maliki, prime minister since 2006
Politics on the ground: Maliki struggled to control a fractious government forged of fragile alliances. But in the last two years he has emerged stronger after sending the army to fight Shiite militias and presiding over a sharp fall in overall violence. Still, Maliki has turned many former allies into foes. He bristled at criticism in 2007 from U.S. lawmakers and has difficult relations with some U.S. military officials in Iraq. He harbors evident hatred of the Saddam regime, which repressed Iraq's Shiite majority and assassinated many of his political colleagues. Many Sunnis fear Maliki has little interest in giving them a fair share of power.
(Source: Reuters)
More information: Reuters
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Israel
Leader: Benjamin Netayahu, second term as prime minister since 2009
Politics on the ground: The tumult in Egypt has plunged Israel into dismay, arousing fears that Islamic radicals, backed by Iran, are about to score another victory, as Hezbollah has done in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza — even though the anti-government protesters in Egypt are led by secular activists. Until the picture clears, Netanyahu is unlikely to rush into a deal with the Palestinians that creates even more uncertainty on his doorstep by turning over territory to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Source: AP)
More information: BBC
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Jordan
Leader: King Abdullah II, monarch since 1999
Politics on the ground: The king can appoint government officials, sign legislation into law and dissolve parliament. King Abdullah II has backed a 10-year program for political, economic and social reform. Conservative legislators haven’t supported many of the proposals, and, facing growing calls for political reform from the people over the past few years, Abdullah dismissed his government and appointed a new prime minister in January 2011. (Source: BBC)
More information: Council on Foreign Relations
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Kuwait
Leader: Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah, emir since 2006
Politics on the ground: The ruling family is struggling to keep balance among the Islamist, tribal and liberal members of the National Assembly. Kuwait is home to the region's most outspoken parliament. Recently, the competition between the executive and legislative branches of government has become more pronounced: Five governments have resigned, a sixth underwent a major reshuffle and the dissolution of parliament has become a regular feature of the political scene. However, Kuwaitis, which represent a third of the population, are loyal to the 255-year-old Sabah dynasty. (Source: Reuters and Jane’s Information Group)
More information: Jane’s Information Group
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Lebanon
Leader: Gen. Michel Suleiman, president since May 2008
Politics on the ground: Lebanon’s political landscape is divided between the Western-backed government and the Hezbollah-led opposition, which receives support from Iran and Syria. The U.S. considers Hezbollah, a Pro-Syrian Shiite political party, to be a terrorist organization. Lebanon has struggled to stay stable, particularly after a 2006 war with Israel. In January, Hezbollah forced the collapse of the government and had its nominee, Najib Mikati, appointed as prime minister to form the next government. (Source: BBC)
More information: Council on Foreign Relations
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Oman
Leader: Qaboos bin Said, monarch since 1970
Politics on the ground: Qaboos has absolute power and appoints the Cabinet. In 1992, Qaboos allowed a parliament called Majlis Shura, whose 84 members are elected by constituents in 61 districts. But the parliament only advises and has no legislative powers. There is concern about succession, as there is no heir apparent. In January, protesters marched in Muscat asking the government to stop corruption and address rising prices. Young Omanis called for political change. (Source: Reuters and The New York Times)
More details: BBC
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Palestinian territories
Leader: Mahmoud Abbas
Politics on the ground: Tension is high between the two Palestinian factions, Abbas’ Fatah party and the militant Islamic movement Hamas. Abbas is seen as a moderate who has attempted to resurrect peace talks with Israel, while Hamas, which seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, has continued its campaign of anti-Israeli attacks. Israel in turn maintains a land, air and sea blockade of Gaza. (Source: BBC)
More information: Council on Foreign Relations
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Qatar
Leader: Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, emir since 1995
Politics on the ground: Domestic reform has been Sheikh Hamad's most noticeable weak point, and it is too soon to tell if his son, Tamim, heir apparent, will tackle this issue. Parliamentary elections have been continually postponed as the ruling family has refused to give up its monopoly on power. Qatar’s 2005 constitution allows for only a partly elected parliament. The Al-Jazeera satellite TV station is based in Qatar and considered the most free and unfettered broadcast source in the Arab world. In practice, however, it rarely criticizes the ruling family. (Source: Reuters)
More information:U.S. Department of State
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Saudi Arabia
Leader: Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, monarch since 2005
Politics on the ground: The king, convalescing in Morocco, expressed support for Mubarak after the protests began. But Saudi newspapers have toned down the king's support of Mubarak after it became clear his grip on power was looking shaky. The world's largest oil exporter, which plays a pivotal role as banker for the Arab world and steward of Islam's holy sites, is coming under greater scrutiny since granting refuge to Tunisia's ousted ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. (Source: The Associated Press)
More details: New York Times
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Syria
Leader: Bashar al-Assad, president since 2000
Politics on the ground: Syrians are organizing campaigns on Facebook and Twitter that call for a "day of rage" in Damascus on Feb. 4 and 5, taking inspiration from Egypt and Tunisia. Like both nations, Syria suffers from corruption, poverty and unemployment. The nation has seen subsidy cuts for staples like bread and oil. The authoritarian president has resisted calls for political freedoms and jailed critics of his regime. He is seen by many Arabs, however, as one of the few leaders in the region willing to stand up to arch enemy Israel. (Source: AP)
More details: New York Times
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United Arab Emirates
Leader: Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan, president since 2004
Politics on the ground: Sheikh Khalifa, also the ruler of oil-rich Abu Dhabi, seat of the seven-emirate federation, is the second leader of the U.S.-allied Gulf state since it was founded in 1971. There are no organized opposition movements in the UAE, which censors many political Web sites and has cracked down on small attempts to protest this month against fuel subsidy cuts. Analysts and diplomats say Sheikh Khalifa has appeared more frail in public of late. (Source: Reuters)
More details: New York Times
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Yemen
Leader: Ali Abdullah Saleh, president since 1978
Politics on the ground: Saleh pledged not to seek another term in office in an apparent attempt to defuse protests inspired by Tunisia's revolt and the turmoil in Egypt. The impoverished country is wrestling with rebellion in the north and a secessionist movement in the south. Saleh's move posed questions about stability in a nation seen by the Obama administration as a key ally in its fight against Islamic militants. (Source: AP, Reuters)
More details: New York Times ; BBC
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