Project on Middle East Democracy

Project on Middle East Democracy
The POMED Wire Archives


Category: Democracy Promotion

Do Not Neglect Tunisia

February 25th, 2011 by Naureen

J. Scott Carpenter, writing in Foreign Policycalls on the Obama Administration to be more proactive in its aid to Tunisia. “If Tunisia doesn’t succeed, no other country in the region can,” Carpenter says, citing the fact that Tunisians are well educated, largely middle class, practice moderate Islam and do not suffer from ethnic or sectarian tensions.  The Obama administration’s “neglectful approach…risks wasting these positive factors…and contributing to an unnecessary security vacuum in an already tense region.”  Carpenter argues that if the Tunisian economy were to collapse, “all bets for a successful democratic transition are off, “although it should be able to recover from the current short-term instability, if given the proper amount of aid.  He states that U.S. action on this front has thus far been deplorable and calls on Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to lead a trade delegation to participate in an April conference being planned by the interim government.  He also says that the Millennium Challenge Corporation needs to outline steps necessary for Tunisia to qualify for entry and for a U.S. trade representative to signal readiness to restart trade negotiations as soon as a new government is in place.  He also calls on the U.S. to make at least $50 million available immediately for democratic institution building and for the State Department’s Middle East Partnership Initiative to take the lead in this effort.


Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Foreign Aid, Reform, Tunisia, US foreign policy | Comment »

Libya After Gadhafi

February 24th, 2011 by Naureen

As protests continue to escalate in Libya, The New York Times asks experts what the international community can do and what difficulties lie ahead in a post-Gadhafi Libya.  President of the American University in Cairo Lisa Anderson asserts that Gadhafi will leave “a legacy of lawlessness and mistrust in Libya that will be very difficult to surmount” as the regime has thwarted the development of stable institutions and civil society.  Multilateral intervention may be necessary, she states.  Chairman of the department of political science and geography at the University of Texas at San Antonio Mansour O. El-Kikhi agrees with Anderson, but is optimistic given popular support for the 1951 constitution and the development of local committees to the maintain peace and necessary services.  He calls on the West to provide Libyans with necessary non-military goods.  Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, echoes Anderson and states that unlike Egypt and Tunisia, “Libya seems destined for a complete change in orientation” which is “likely to be slower, more uncertain and more violent.”

Ronald Bruce St John, author of several books on Libya, states that the creation of functioning and effective social and political institutions will take time and also notes the importance of tribes in creating a provisional government.  He calls on the Administration to stress its full support for Libyan protesters.  Noman Benotman, analyst at the Quilliam Foundation and former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, also notes the importance of tribal structure and the need to incorporate elements formerly close to the Gadhafi regime to help manage a democratic transition.  He calls on the West to “support the Libyan people while not interfering in their choices.”  Duke University professor of public policy and political science Bruce W. Jentleson argues that with Gadhafi willing to shoot civilians, a military intervention by coalition forces may be necessary.  Journalist Lisa Goldman states preconceptions about leadership and conditions necessary for civil society and democracy are being challenged as a provisionary government has been formed in the eastern Libya by tribal leaders who are willingly sharing power with the youth leaders.


Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Islam and Democracy, Libya, Multilateralism, Protests, Reform, Tunisia, US foreign policy | Comment »

Egypt’s Protest Movement Analyzed

February 24th, 2011 by Naureen

The International Crisis Group’s latest report looks at the popular protest movement in Egypt and its impact on the broader Middle East. The report states that the success of the Tunisian uprising played a critical role in pushing Egyptians to initiate their own movement and also discusses how post-Mubarak Egypt will largely be shaped by the features that characterized the uprising. The report states that a tug of war between the popular but unorganized opposition and the entrenched military, who sought to protect its own interests and hopes to control the pace and scope of change, will likely continue.  It also asserts that as the process moves, “from the streets to the corridors of power,” opposition rivalries are likely to re-emerge and the absence of empowered representatives or an agreed upon agenda will harm its effectiveness. Additionally the report states that the Muslim Brotherhood does not have majority support and will likely invest in long-term strategies as its message, “will resonate widely and be well served by superior organization.” However, as its political involvement deepens it will have to contend with internal tensions between generations.

The report also provides recommendations to Egypt’s military council and current power-brokers to help steer the transition and calls on Western powers to provide economic assistance and avoid “attempts to micromanage the transition”  or “react too negatively to a more assertive, independent foreign policy.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, Protests, Reform | Comment »

Tunisia Is A Model For the Region

February 22nd, 2011 by Naureen

On Monday, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) stated, “The revolution in Tunisia has been very successful and it has become a model for the region. We stand ready to provide training to help Tunisia’s military to provide security.”  Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) also lauded the role of the Tunisian military and condemned the violence in Libya, “The Tunisian military played a constructive role…but the military in Libya has been against the people. That is unacceptable.” Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also stated that Tunisia has an opportunity to provide a positive model for countries seeking reform, “if it can avoid pitfalls on the path to elections.” He calls on the interim government to make constitutional changes and set up institutions to ensure the rule of law for the election: “It is very important that these processes are entertained in a way that everybody in this society can believe in and have trust in.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Elections, Military, Reform, Tunisia, Turkey | Comment »

Clinton Announces Reprogramming of $150 Million of Aid to Egypt

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Following a classified meeting with senators, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that the U.S. will reprogram $150 million for Egypt to help support the country’s democratic transition and assist with their economic recovery. She also announced that Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns and senior White House advisor on international economics David Lipton will travel to Egypt next week to consult with their Egyptian counterparts on how the U.S. can most effectively deploy our assistance in line with their priorities. During the meeting, government officials also discussed the lessons of events in Egypt and the Middle East, the need for the United States to remain fully engaged around the world, and the negative consequences of cuts in H.R.1, the continuing resolution on FY2011 funding,  will have on national security.  Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General James E. Cartwright added, “Everybody sees the soldier out there in Iraq and Afghanistan, but with every soldier, there is an element associated with either the State Department, our diplomatic corps, USAID. And they’re absolutely essential.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid | Comment »

The U.S. Must Support the Green Movement

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Writing in The Washington Post, Ray Takeyh argues that the only way the U.S. can hope to change Iran’s behavior is to empower the Green Movement.  Russia and China are unlikely to agree to more economic sanctions and the Arab states preoccupied with their own revolutions will be reluctant to participate in efforts to isolate Iran.  Additionally, the military option is no longer feasible, Takeyh states, as it would likely “radicalize the Arab populace just as forces of moderation and democracy seem ascendant.” The Middle East, he states, is undergoing a momentous transformation that is absent of any ideology but rather speaks to people’s frustrations over repression and corruption.  The Green Movement which began in 2009 was “a harbinger of this new epoch,” he says, as it highlights the opposition’s success to de-legitimize the theocratic regime as “a significant portion of the population” contemplates “life beyond the parameters of clerical despotism.” The disenchantment of the populous is also “mirrored by the steady stream of defecting regime loyalists” which may point to inability of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to enforce rule by fear. The challenge for the U.S., Takeyh states is to find ways to connect with the Green Movement and points to the model of Eastern Europe where the West covertly funneled assistance to dissidents through institutions like churches and labor unions.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Iran, Islamist movements, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »

Congressman Filner Introduces Resolution on Iran

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

On Tuesday, Congressman Bob Filner (D-CA) introduced H.Res.94, a resolution calling for “an end to violence, arrests, torture, and ill treatment perpetrated against Iranian citizens as well as the unconditional release of all political prisoners in Iran.” The resolution also calls on the Administration to condemn human rights violations in Iran and “support the Iranian people’s endeavors towards democracy” by ending the “selective approach to Iranian opponents who struggle for democracy and human rights” and removing the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran from the State Department’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, as the Iranian government uses it as pretext for cracking down on dissidents and opposition  members. It also calls for the President to impose sanctions on Iran as well as on any individual or entity associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and for the President to persuade U.S. allies and other countries to enact appropriate measures preventing Iranian banks and financial institutions involved in nuclear activities and backing terrorist groups from accessing the international monetary system. The resolution has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.


Posted in Congress, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Protests, sanctions | Comment »

Obama Administration Worried Egyptian Military Not Doing Enough

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Paul Richter, writing in the Los Angeles Times, reports that the Obama administration is concerned that the Egyptian military’s plans to reshape the government “may fall short of producing its promised democratic overhaul” given the military leadership’s failure to lift the emergency law and dismiss the old cabinet, as well as its condensed schedule for constitutional reform and elections which may not provide enough time for political parties to organize.  While the army is a respected institution that safeguards stability, it is more inclined toward the status quo and protecting its commercial interests, Richter writes. Egypt’s protest movement also seems worried by the army’s increased authority.  POMED Executive Director Stephen McInerney, who has served as an informal advisor to the White House and has been in regular contact with Egyptian groups and activists states, “Groups that have been skeptical are becoming a little bit more skeptical” and that the administration is ”clearly pleased with some steps, and want to be supportive publicly. But they do have concerns.” The administration has been privately applying “friendly but steady pressure” on Egyptian leaders to ensure the transition does not lose momentum and that promises to make irreversible changes towards democracy are upheld.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Military, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »

State Department Launches Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Wednesday marked the launch of the U.S. State Department’s launch of Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society.  Under Secretary for Political Affairs William J. Burns opened the event by stating: “In recent weeks, we have been awed by the power of committed citizens to effect change in their societies.  We’ve borne witness to a remarkable triumph of human spirit and human courage in Cairo and in Tunis. ”  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton echoed his remarks and also expressed U.S. support for democratic change stating: “Our support for democracy and human rights is not about siding for or against either governments or citizens. This is about standing up for universal principles and for those in and out of government who support them.”  Clinton also discussed the use of diplomatic channels “to engage with civil society as a cornerstone of our diplomacy,” stating that “the transition to democracy is more likely to be peaceful and permanent when it involves both the government in power and the broad cross-section of the governed.”  She said that the Strategic Dialogue will focus on issues like governance, accountability, democracy, human rights and women’s empowerment.  USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah also discussed the agency’s new approach to development which prioritizes democratic governance and its desire to continue to work with and support civil society organizations.

Sherif Mansour, a prominent Egyptian activist, also made a statement calling for the U.S. aid package to Egypt to reflect the administration’s commitment to civil society.   He criticized the State Department for conceding to “pressure from the Egyptian government to cut down funds for democracy and to make it only available for government-approved NGOs.”


Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Protests, Reform, Tunisia, US foreign policy | Comment »

Why Bahrain May Be Next

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Writing in the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof argues that Bahrain is a reminder that “authoritarian regimes are slow learners.” The Bahraini government, he states, has failed to learn the lessons of Tunisia and Egypt that the use of violence will “undermine the legitimacy of the government.”  Kristof states that while at first the protesters were demanding the release of political prisoners, an end to torture and less concentration of power in the al-Khalifa family that controls the country, the violence against protesters have led to calls for the overthrow of the ruling family with some calling for a British-style constitutional monarchy, where King Hamad would reign without power, and others calling for the ouster of the king. “All of this puts the United States in a bind,” Kristof says, as Bahrain houses a U.S. navy fleet and has been considered a model in the region by U.S. government officials, who maintain close ties to the al-Khalifa family.  Kristof calls on the U.S. to be cautious of that “our cozy relations with those in power won’t dull our appreciation that history is more likely to side with protesters being shot with rubber bullets than with the regimes doing the shooting.”


Posted in Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Human Rights, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »

Writing A New Political Narrative in the Middle East

February 17th, 2011 by Naureen

Writing at The Huffington Post, Lebanese-American political analyst and POMED board member Randa Slim argues that the events in Tunisia and Egypt have “dealt a heavy blow to old myths about democracy and political transformation in the region” and have constructed a new political narrative for the regime with four major themes emerging.  The recent uprisings in the Middle East demonstrate that democracy is not a Western concept. In the past the region has seen democracy in two forms: imposed by the West as in Iraq and the “lip-service democracies of most Arab governments, repressive and corrupt.” We are now seeing a third form emerge in which democracy is “the right of the people to live their lives, and decide their fate without heavy-handed control by a police state.”

These uprisings also show us that real change can come through non-violent means and that a regime which emerges through peaceful uprisings will have “more authenticity and credibility” than those in Iran, Syria and Lebanon.  It is also clear that these movements are not Islamist in nature and while Islamists will have “a seat at the table,” moving forward, leaders of both the Ennahda movement and Muslim Brotherhood have announced that they will not seek to gain presidency or majority seats in parliament. These movements were about governance and spurred by the people’s frustrations over corruption, unemployment and poverty and desire for good change and participation in the decision-making process.  Now, Slim says, the  hard work of nation-building begins; she calls on the West to help these “stories end well.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Freedom, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Muslim Brotherhood, Protests, Reform, Tunisia | Comment »

POMED Executive Director Interviewed on the Role of MEPI in Egypt

February 16th, 2011 by Alec

POMED Executive Director, Stephen McInerney, was interviewed on Tuesday by Lisa Mullins on Public Radio International’s The World about the role of the United States’ Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) in funding Egyptian civil society groups and the influence this had on the protest movement.

For full audio, click here.  Download the mp3 here.

On democracy and governance assistance to Egypt in comparison to military aid:

“Proportionally, support for democracy assistance is in the neighborhood of 30 million dollars annually, through a variety of different accounts in Egypt, which is quite small.”

The role of MEPI funds on the protest movement:

“It has played some role in helping, kind of, support and sustain some of the young organizations that have wanted to be more politically active.”

“The protest movement is overwhelmingly indigenously Egyptian, and I think we would have definitely seen this protest movement emerge without any U.S. support or any U.S. involvement.”

“Some of the actors who have been involved with the protest movement have been more effective and more organized, connected, and networked than they might have been without our support.” 


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Foreign Aid, POMED, US foreign policy | Comment »

Rice Says Democracy in Egypt Is In America’s Interests

February 16th, 2011 by Alec

In an op-ed piece for The Washington Post, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Riceargues that the primary lesson from Egypt for other Middle Eastern governments is that they should “accelerate” long delayed political and economic reforms. Rice also indicates that the reform process is not reversible and that attempts to reverse course after initiating such reforms will eventually build up into a situation that resembles Egypt’s revolution.  She goes on to say that although the Muslim Brotherhood does in fact represent the “most organized” opposition force in Egypt, in accordance with democratic principles, they should be forced to defend their own political and economic vision for the country before ordinary Egyptians in free and fair elections. Looking at the examples of Hamas and Hezbollah, Rice argues that extremists struggle when faced with the tasks of governance.  Dismissing popular parallels in the West between Egypt and 1979 Iran, Rice declares that Egypt’s institutions are stronger and its secularism deeper.  Ultimately, long term U.S. interests are better served by promoting democracy in Egypt rather than holding on to the false stability of authoritarianism, she says.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, US foreign policy | Comment »

Iran: Senators Call for Special Human Rights Monitor

February 16th, 2011 by Kyle

On February 15th, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and 23 other Senators submitted a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calling for the creation of an independent U.N. human rights monitor on Iran when the U.N. Human Rights Council convenes this March. Sighting the numerous human rights abuses that have occurred in Iran especially in response to the democratic uprising in late 2009 the letter states:“Establishing an independent U.N. human rights monitor charged with monitoring and reporting on Iran’s human rights violations is an important effort to provide some protection for Iran’s human rights and democracy movement.”

Jamal Abdi, National Iranian American Council Policy Director supported this effort stating: “Iran’s destiny can only be decided by the Iranian people, but as human rights violations continue in Iran, the international community must be loud and clear that universal rights must be respected.”


Posted in Congress, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, US foreign policy, United Nations | Comment »

Bahrain: CNN Video Coverage of Protests

February 16th, 2011 by Kyle


Posted in Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Human Rights, Protests | Comment »

Mikhail Gorbachev Calls for a Democratic Future in the Arab World

February 15th, 2011 by Kyle

Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, in a recent op-ed for the International Herald Tribune, supported the Egyptian people and argued that the only way forward for the Arab World is through democracy. He addressed the concerns of Islam’s role in Egypt’s future, but stated, “democratic processes and genuine socioeconomic achievements in countries like Turkey, Indonesia and Malaysia offer optimism.” Gorbachev addressed the apparent “bargain” that Arab regimes have struck with their people exchanging freedom and human rights for economic growth, which has since created a disconnect between the people and their rulers. He believes that the events in Egypt have serious implications across the region and that Arab leaders must take heed: “One needs to muster courage for real change, because power without accountability cannot last. This is what hundreds of thousands of Egyptian citizens, whose faces we’ve seen on television, stated loud and clear.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements | Comment »

Egypt: Tareq al-Bishry to Head Constitutional Change Committee

February 15th, 2011 by Kyle

Egypt’s Supreme Military Council has vowed to re-write the constitution within 10 days and put it up for a referendum within 2 months. A Constitutional Committee has been created with the task of overseeing this process. Tareq al-Bishry, a retired judge and strong supporter of an independent judiciary in Egypt, has been named as the head of this committee. Al-Shurouk newspaper has reported that the committee consists of “approximately ten” members, and it lists 5 of those members (other than el-Bishry): Atef al-Banna,  a liberal who is a former member of the Wafd Party; Sobhi Salah, former Brotherhood Member of Parliament; and three judges with experience on the Supreme Constitutional Court: Maher Sami Youssef, Hatem Bagato, and Hassan Badrawi. Another POMED contact states that Mohammed Hassanein Abdelaal has also been named to the committee who, along with Youssef, was also on the constitutional committee announced by Omar Suleiman prior to Mubarak’s departure. 

The committee has received popular support due to al-Bishry’s track record in promoting democratic reforms. However, many have criticized the committee due to the over-representation of Islamist and Muslim Brotherhood figures, the apparent absence of any women or Christians and the lack of transparency in the process or criteria in the selection of this committee.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Reform | Comment »

Clinton Applauds the Egyptian People and Chastises the Iranian Regime

February 15th, 2011 by Kyle

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a recent interview with  Al Jazeera, addressed the recent overthrow of Hosni Mubarak: “The Mubarak era is over. There is a new effort that is just beginning, and I think it is an – it’s important that the United States be seen as supporting the transition to democracy, and that is where we stand.” When asked about the current status of the military run government and the presence of former Mubarak supporters within this group, Clinton urged the Egyptian people to stay steadfast in their movement for change and that they must take part in the transitional process.

In another recent interview with Al Arabiya, Secretary Clinton applauded the Egyptian people for their ability to bring about political change without the interference of external forces.  She stated, “This was all about the Egyptian people, and I think the Egyptian people themselves made it clear that they wanted no violence, they wanted their human rights respected, and they wanted a transition to democracy.” When asked about Iran’s support for Egypt, Clinton responded: “We’ve seen this ironic hypocrisy coming from the Iranian regime that was trumpeting what was going on in Egypt and is now oppressing their own people.”


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Iran, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »

Egypt: Supreme Council Of The Armed Forces Releases Communique, Meets With Youth Opposition

February 14th, 2011 by Naureen

In a televised statement on Sunday, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces announced that it will suspend the constitution and dissolve the parliament in order to pave the way for new presidential and parliamentary elections in the future.  The communique also stated that the Supreme Council would maintain control of the government for a six-month interim period, during which the head of the council, Mohamed Tantawi, would represent Egypt both domestically and internationally.  In the short-term, the council has approved a committee for assessment of constitutional amendments.  The council has called on all workers’ unions and professional groups to return to work so as not to further damage the country and  warned that anyone attempting to cause Egypt to fall into “chaos and disorder” will not be tolerated.

The group also met with representatives from youth groups responsible for planning the January 25th revolution, including Wael Ghonim.  During the meeting, the council stated a new constitution would be drafted in ten days to be put forth a referendum within two months.  While youth groups have expressed their optimism, they also cautioned that its too early to judge whether the military will follow through on its guarantees to establish true democratic reforms, especially given its refusal to dissolve the current cabinet and the generals’ decision to announce their road map for political reform without any input from the political opposition. On Monday, the “Coalition of Youth Revolutionaries” called on the military to dismiss the cabinet and form a new “government of technocrats” within one month.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Military, Protests, Reform, Unions | Comment »

POMED Notes: “After the Uprisings: U.S. Policy in a Changing Middle East”

February 11th, 2011 by Naureen

On Thursday, the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) hosted a discussion on recent and ongoing events in Tunisia and Egypt and their influence on U.S. relations with the region’s governments and people and what steps the U.S. government can take to support democratic transitions in Egypt and Tunisia. POMED Executive Director Stephen McInerney made opening remarks and introduced panelists: Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow at Hoover Institution at Stanford University and founding co-editor of the Journal of Democracy; Tom Malinowski, Washington Director at Human Rights Watch; and Mona Yacoubian, Special Adviser at the Center for Conflict Analysis and Prevention, United States Institute of Peace. 

To read full notes continue below, or click here for pdf.

Read the rest of this entry »


Posted in Algeria, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Event Notes, Events, Freedom, Human Rights, Islam and Democracy, Jordan, POMED, Protests, Reform, Tunisia, Yemen | Comment »