Senator McCain Discusses Protest Movements Across the Middle East
April 25th, 2011 by Naureen
In an interview with The Cairo Review of Global Affairs, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) expressed his belief that the U.S. should resume its leadership of NATO operations in Libya, recognize the Transitional National Council as the “legitimate voice of the Libyan people,” and arm the rebels lest the situation turns into a stalemate which empowers al-Qaeda or Muammar Gadhafi‘s regime. He also called on President Barack Obama to formally declare that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has lost his legitimacy as a ruler by slaughtering his own people. However, he cautioned against calls for regime change as failure to secure regime change could hurt the United States’ credibility. He also stated his opposition to direct U.S. involvement in Syria noting that he does not see a way for the U.S. to help the opposition in any way other than through expressions of solidarity with the protesters.
Discussing Egypt, Senator McCain stressed the importance of ensuring a successful transition in Egypt given the regional importance of the country. He expressed his belief that the Supreme Military Council under the leadership of General Mohamed Tantawi has handled the transition “very well so far.” The Senator also expressed his concern over the situation in Yemen where it is unclear what will come next. McCain also noted the different situations and complexities in the various protest movements across the Middle East and also noted the impact it has had in places like China and Russia.
Posted in al-Qaeda, Bahrain, Civil Society, Corruption, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, EU, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Jordan, Libya, Military, Morocco, NATO, Protests, Reform, Syria, Tunisia, United Nations, US foreign policy, Yemen, Youth | Comment »
Prospects for Democratic Transition in Tunisia and Egypt
April 25th, 2011 by Naureen
Alfred Stepan, writing at Democracy Digest, discusses whether Tunisia and Egypt will successfully transition into democracies. Stepan optimistically states that Tunisia will successfully transition to a democracy this year noting the fact that the military is not complicating the transition, that the civilian-led interim government has engaged in interactive negotiations about the democratic rules with virtually all major actors, and that a Constituent Assembly is being formed and will step down following the formation of a government. Additionally, he notes that the Constituent Assembly, which is free to choose the system of government, will likely form a parliamentary government following the model of post-communist European countries. Stepan also points to the inclusion and moderation of Al-Nahda as a reason for the success of Tunisia.
Looking at the case of Egypt, Stepan states that while democratization is probable in the long term, the country does not have the “especially favorable conditions we find in Tunisia.” He points to the fact that every president in Egypt’s history has been military officer and the role of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) in the transition period as a hindrance for democratic development. He also states that the U.S. emphasis on maintaining strong relations with the army, which receives $1.3 billion of the total $1.5 billion of U.S. aid to the country, may also hurt the the transition.
Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Islam and Democracy, Military, Protests, Reform, Tunisia, US foreign policy | Comment »
Libya: Rebels Sign Contract with DC PR Firm
April 25th, 2011 by Ali
The National Transitional Council has signed up with the Harbour Group, a well-connected DC-based public relations firm, according to Justice Department records. The firm, which is working pro-bono, aims to gain US recognition of the rebel council, in addition to encouraging US humanitarian aid to Libya and freezing the assets of Libyan ruler Muammar Gadhafi in order to pay for that aid. To this end, Harbour will “help prepare speeches, press releases and op-eds, contact reporters and think tanks and develop a website and social media for the council.”
The contract is currently under Justice Department review. While the article declares, “Unrest in the Middle East has led to more business for K Street,” citing recent deals with the Bahraini government, among others, Harbour professes different motives. According to Richard Mintz, Harbour’s managing director, “It’s the right thing to do.”
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Foreign Aid, Libya, Technology | Comment »
Debating the Wisdom of Foreign Support for the Arab Spring
April 25th, 2011 by Ali
Two pieces on the Foreign Policy website situate the Arab Spring in political-historical perspective and argue over the wisdom of foreign intervention. The first, an interview with University of Massachusetts professor Gene Sharp, whose writings have been hailed as manual for nonviolent resistance in Eastern Europe and the Arab world, says “the U.S. should stay out of these situations completely,” arguing “[p]eople have to learn how to do it themselves.”
In a separate op-ed, however, Washington Post columnist and author David Ignatius argues that foreign support and strong leaders have been a necessary, even if not sufficient, condition of successful revolutions: “even with the genius of America’s founders and the backing of France, Americans still made a mess of things initially with their first constitution, the Articles of Confederation.” Drawing on this and other historical examples, Ignatius argues that diplomatic support and aid to Egypt and Tunisia’s transitions are imperative (though, he is skeptical of the trajectories in Syria, Libya and Yemen). Both authors, coincidentally drawing on the shared example of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense, agree that while media technology serves as a linchpin to revolutions, the trigger lies more in the message being communicated.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Protests, US foreign policy | Comment »
Analyst Notes The New Age of Pan-Arabism
April 22nd, 2011 by Naureen
Writing at Foreign Policy, Parag Khanna notes the new age of Pan-Arabism that is characterized by societies demanding good governance and an inclusive political process. He states that the anti-authoritarian revolutions are “truly borderless” following Al Jazeera’s shaming of Arab autocrats — with the exception of Bahrain — and young activists training together across the region. Khanna also highlights the Arab League’s backing of a no-fly zone in Libya and considerations of peacekeeping forces for Palestine and Lebanon as “examples of a meaningful transnational Arab political sphere coming into being.” Khanna states that “the next great step toward a new Arab renaissance will come through physically overcoming the region’s arbitrary political borders” following the model of the European Union which has moved towards investing in cross-border infrastructure. He states that the Gulf countries could easily finance projects such as the Palestinian Arc project and trans-Arab transport corridors.
Posted in Arab League, Bahrain, Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, EU, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Gulf, Gulf Cooperation Council, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Protests, Qatar, Reform, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Youth | Comment »
Sec. Clinton and Former Sec. Kissinger Discuss U.S. Foreign Policy and the Middle East
April 22nd, 2011 by Naureen
Speaking on Charlie Rose series, “Conversations on Diplomacy,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger discussed U.S. diplomatic efforts. Clinton highlighted the the new challenges facing U.S. foreign policy as the focus shifts away from state-to-state relationships to networks and multilateral relations and organizations. She also noted the implications of new technologies and new media. Kissinger noted the “huge changes” in state structure taking place across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Even amongst all these changes, the United States continues to remain a dominant power in the world that countries across the world turn to for leadership and aid. Clinton stated however, that “one of our biggest foreign policy challenges right now is to get our own house in order…we have to consolidate our own economic and political position in order to be able to continue to influence events in the future.”
Discussing the “Arab Spring,” Secretary Kissinger stated that the revolutions are still unfolding, as such we must be cautious of being overly optimistic. He noted, however, that we must not be too hasty in judging the outcome of the uprisings based on the proclamations of a few and ensure real transitions occur. Clinton noted that it is U.S. interest “to see a peaceful, stable transition to a more representative form of government in which institutions are able to democratize over time.” She also noted the lack of economic growth and development in the region as a reason for the people’s frustrations. Clinton and Kissinger also discussed the threat of Iran and the country’s hope to take advantage of the instability in the region. Kissinger also stated that the situation in Libya is peripheral to the events in the broader Middle East.
Posted in Civil Society, Corruption, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Gulf, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Jordan, Libya, Military, NATO, Protests, Reform, Syria, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Yemen | Comment »
Senator Rockefeller Calls for U.S. to Leave Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya
April 21st, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, during a visit to the Charleston Gazette, Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) called for increased scrutiny of the military budget and for the U.S. to immediately end operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya. “We should be out of Iraq this year altogether,” he said. “We are not going to win. It is not in the cards. Many Asian countries have a totally tribal culture. It is the same thing in Afghanistan, Libya and Yemen.”
Posted in Afghanistan, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Foreign Aid, Iraq, Libya, Military, US foreign policy, Yemen | Comment »
Libya: Expats, Western Leaders Release Policy Statement Amid Worsening Ground Conditions
April 19th, 2011 by Ali
The North American Libyan Conference released a statement supporting the Transitional National Council, thanking the United States and Canada for their “support of the Libyan people,” calling for regime change and a democratic, united Libya with Tripoli as its capital.
In a joint op-ed piece last Friday, U.S. President Barack Obama, French President Nicholas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron reaffirmed they and their NATO allies’ duty under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, i.e. to protect civilians (and not to remove Qaddafi by force). They added, “But it is impossible to imagine a future for Libya with Qaddafi in power.” Having thus interpreted regime change as adherent to their mandate, the leaders spell out what they view as the logical next step: “Then a genuine transition from dictatorship to an inclusive constitutional process can really begin, led by a new generation of leaders.” The missing middle step is the “[Gadhafi] regime has to pull back from the cities it is besieging, including Ajdabiya, Misurata and Zintan, and return to their barracks.” The United Nations has verified the deaths of 20 children in Misurata.
Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Libya, Multilateralism, NATO, US foreign policy | Comment »
The Gulf: Quiet Front of the Arab Spring?
April 19th, 2011 by Ali
Blake Hounshell writes that Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have largely escaped the regional wave of protests, in part, due to high growth and per capita income. Even Saudi Arabia and Oman have seen more dissent in his assessment. The other reason for this quietude is that both countries have seemed unwilling to brook dissent. This is ironic given their support for the Arab Spring through their media outlets, as well as diplomatic, humanitarian and military assistance.
POMED board member Shadi Hamid argues that the Arab Spring has shaped more coherently the policy of the Gulf Cooperation Council which was previously “less than the sum of its parts.” Early on, Qatar and the UAE appeared opposed to Saudi Arabia, which championed stability in the region. However, the specter of Iran among these countries’ Shia’ populations has drawn them more tightly together. However, Hamid leaves open the possibility that Qatar could become part of a non-alignment axis–along with Tunisia and Turkey–in the midst of a cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Posted in Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Gulf Cooperation Council, Middle Eastern Media, Military, Multilateralism, Protests | Comment »
Adelman Calls for Congressional Cuts to Foreign Aid Budgets
April 19th, 2011 by Kyle
Writing at Foreign Policy, Ken Adelman, asserts that support for the U.S. foreign assistance budget is misguided and that arguments in support of these programs become “shallower” upon closer investigation. He argues that: “Four of the largest U.S. foreign-aid recipients today — Egypt, Israel, Pakistan, and Afghanistan — all take contrary positions on issues of critical importance to the White House.” Adelman also criticizes a recent article by Joseph Nye, stating that Nye’s argument over the relationship between foreign aid and the U.S.’s ability influence decisions in these countries is “unclear at best.” He cites Israel as an example as “Israel, rebuffs Washington constantly, on momentous issues of peace,” and is also the “No. 1 recipient of U.S. aid.” Adelman argues that countries initially view foreign aid with gratitude, but eventually with “entitlement.” On the issue of development assistance, Adelman believes that the top recipients of U.S. foreign assistance have not “developed all that much” and if they did it “could be due to other factors.” In closing he argues that the U.S. “soft power” namely the State Department has failed to effectively fund “modern-day freedom fighters” in Libya, Iran, Syria and Egypt.
Posted in Afghanistan, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Israel, Libya, Reform, Syria, US foreign policy | Comment »
Cables Say U.S. Supported Syrian Opposition
April 19th, 2011 by Ali
Previously undisclosed Wikileaks cables say that the U.S. State Department has been funding Syrian opposition groups and related projects since 2006. The cables show that the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based group of Syrian exiles and liberal Islamists, received $6 million from the U.S. The movement is affiliated with a satellite television network, Barada TV.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner said he could not speak to the content of allegedly classified cables. When asked if the U.S. seeks to undermine the Syrian government, he said the U.S. is supporting civil society and democratic institutions in Syria, and is it the Assad regime that perceives this as a threat. He also said that the U.S. is not continually funding the Movement for Justice and Development in any way. When asked if the U.S. is providing bandwidth support to help Barada TV bypass Iranian attempts to block it, Toner said he would to get the details of the exact “technical assistance we’re providing them.”
Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Syria, US foreign policy, US media, Wikileaks Cables | Comment »
POMED Notes: “Foreign Policies of Emerging-Market Democracies: What Role for Democracy and Human Rights?”
April 18th, 2011 by Anna
On Thursday, April 14th and Friday, April 15th, the Managing Global Order project at the Brookings Institution and the International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy hosted a conference on the foreign policies of emerging-market democracies and their efforts to advance human rights and democracy. The conference, called “Foreign Policies of Emerging-Market Democracies: What Role for Democracy and Human Rights?,” featured leading experts on Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and multilateral affairs. Samantha Power, special advisor to the president and senior director for multilateral affairs and human rights at the National Security Council, provided commentary during a lunch keynote address on the administration’s efforts to work with the emerging democracies. In the conference’s final panel, Larry Diamond of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University moderated a discussion featuring Thomas Carothers, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Robert Kagan, Senior Fellow at Brookings; and Moises Naim, Senior Associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
For POMED’s full notes, continue reading below. Or, click here for the PDF.
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Posted in DC Event Notes, Democracy Promotion, Event Notes, Foreign Aid, US foreign policy | Comment »
POMED Notes: HFAC Hearing on Middle East Transitions
April 18th, 2011 by Ali
On Wednesday, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia held the first in a proposed series of hearings entitled, “Shifting Sands: Political Transitions in the Middle East.” Testimony was given by a panel featuring, Elliott Cohen, Ph.D, Professor of Strategic Studies at The Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, J. Scott Carpenter, Keston Family Fellow at Washington Institute for Near East Policy, and Michael Makovsky, Ph.D, Foreign Policy Director at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Statements and questions were issues by Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH), Ranking Member Gary Ackerman (D-NY), Brian Higgins (D-NY), and Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA). Other committee members in attendance were Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), and Theodore Deutch (D-FL).
Continue reading below, or click here for the pdf.
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Posted in Civil Society, Committee Meetings, Congress, Congressional Hearing Notes (House), Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Islam and Democracy, Multilateralism, Neocons, Protests, US foreign policy, US politics | Comment »
POMED Notes: CSID Conference on Egypt and Tunisia
April 18th, 2011 by Ali
On Friday, the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID) held their 12th Annual Conference under the theme “Tunisia’s and Egypt’s Revolutions and Transitions to Democracy.” CSID President Radwan Masmoudi opened the conference by giving special attention to discerning real and fake stability and development in Egypt and Tunisia.
The first panel, chaired by George Washington University Visiting Scholar and Program Committee Chair for the event, Radwan Ziadeh, was entitled “The Jasmine Revolution’ and Transition to Democracy in Tunisia: Why and How?” Jaloul Ayed, the Tunisian Minister of Finance, opened the panel following a brief introduction by Tunisian Ambassador Mohamed Saleh Tekaya.
Continue reading below, or click here for the pdf.
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Posted in Civil Society, DC Event Notes, Diplomacy, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Islam and Democracy, Judiciary, Multilateralism, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Islam, Political Parties, Protests, Public Opinion, Reform, Sectarianism, Secularism, US foreign policy, US politics, Youth | Comment »
Summary and Highlights of FY11 Appropriations Act
April 17th, 2011 by Cole
Last Thursday, April 14th, Congress passed H.R.1473, the FY2011 bill which will fund the federal government through September 30th. The bill, which is $78.5 billion less than the President’s FY2011 request, includes $39.9 billion in cuts from FY2010 levels. House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) lauded the bill: “Never before has any Congress made dramatic cuts such as those that are in this final legislation.” Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) stated: “The final compromise legislation negotiated with the House of Representatives contains significant spending reductions, but protects the vital economic and security interests of the United States.” House State and Foreign Operations ranking Democrat Nita Lowey (D-NY) praised the budget deal as an improvement over H.R.1: “Presidents and leaders of both political parties have recognized that our national security is a three-legged stool of defense, diplomacy, and development. The Republican budget blueprint would effectively chop two of these legs at the knees.”
For POMED’s full summary and highlights of the FY11 bill continue below, or click here for a PDF.
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Posted in Congress, Foreign Aid, Legislation, US foreign policy | Comment »
Effects of U.S. Democracy Promotion in the Middle East
April 15th, 2011 by Kyle
Writing for The New York Times, Ron Nixon, argues that U.S. democracy building campaigns in the Middle East, ”played a bigger role in fomenting protests than was previously known.” Nixon highlights a number of individuals and groups in Egypt, Bahrain, and Yemen who have received training and support from U.S. organizations such as the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, and Freedom House. Although these organizations provided support to the region, Nixon concludes, “No one doubts that the Arab uprisings are home grown.” Stephen McInerney, Executive Director of POMED, added that the U.S. democracy assistance community did not initiate the uprisings, but helped develop “skills” and “networking” for groups that led protests across the region. He concluded, “that training did play a role in what ultimately happened, but it was their revolution.” Nixon also chronicles the contentious relationship that U.S. democracy promotion organizations have had with regimes across the region.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Foreign Aid, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Egypt: Economic Policy Recommendations for the Transition
April 13th, 2011 by Ali
Michele Dunne at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace co-authored an article with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty President Jeffrey Gedmin in which they explore the economic exigencies and expectations facing Egypt and the implications for its democratic transition. They have found that Egyptian civil society leaders are strongly in favor of European style social democracy. However, the country faces a severe debt crisis and a bloated bureaucracy which has actually grown by one million since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak. Short of economic shock therapy, the two recommend that the West provide debt relief in tranches that reward milestone in democratic development, as well as free trade agreements with the US and EU (short of ascension). They conclude that the Egyptians will eventually have to embrace austerity and highlight economic success stories to prevent a post-revolutionary funk.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Freedom | Comment »
POMED Notes: Senate SFO Hearing on USAID’s FY 2012 Budget
April 12th, 2011 by Ali
On Tuesday, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs held an open hearing to discussFY2012 budget appropriations to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Committee —Chaired by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and with Senators Ronald Johnson (R-WI), Mark Kirk (R-IL) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) in attendance – requested the testimony of Dr. Rajiv Shah, USAID Administrator.
For full notes, continue below. For pdf version, click here.
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Posted in Civil Society, Congressional Hearing Notes (Senate), Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, Legislation, US foreign policy, US politics | Comment »
New FY2011 Budget Bill Released
April 12th, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, Congress released H.R.1473, the FY2011 bill which will fund the federal government through September 30th. The bill, which is $78.5 billion less than the President’s FY2011 request, includes $39.9 billion in cuts from FY2010 levels. House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) lauded the bill stating, “Never before has any Congress made dramatic cuts such as those that are in this final legislation.” Senate Appropriations Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) stated: “The final compromise legislation negotiated with the House of Representatives contains significant spending reductions, but protects the vital economic and security interests of the United States.”
Under the bill, the funding level for the State Department and Foreign Operations totals $48.3 billion, a $504 million reduction from FY2010 levels and $8.4 billion less than the President’s FY2011 request. However, it represents an increase over the proposed cuts in H.R.1, which sought to reduce the State and Foreign Operations budget by $3.8 billion. The bill freezes most of the spending near FY2010 levels. It also makes available up to $250 million for democracy and development assistance in Egypt and asks that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton submit a spending plan with a “comprehensive strategy” to promote these two goals. The bill requires a report by Clinton on the progress of Egypt’s political transition and preparations for free and fair elections, but notably shifts this a requirement from Egypt’s foreign military financing, as proposed in the Senate’s version of the FY11 bill in March, to its economic assistance. Also compared to the March Senate version, the bill omits $5 million in democracy assistance to Tunisia and also prohibits appropriating foreign military funding to Yemen in addition to Bahrain, unless waived by the Administration. It also notes that funds appropriated under the State and Foreign Operations heading may be made available to support other democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa.
To see the full list of cuts to various programs click here.
Posted in Bahrain, Congress, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Jordan, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Yemen | Comment »
POMED Notes: “Reform and Development in Egypt: U.S. Goals and Priorities”
April 7th, 2011 by Ali
On Thursday, the Middle East Institute (MEI) hosted Hady Amr, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Middle East Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Thomas Garrett, Vice President for Programs at the International Republican Institute (IRI), to discuss “Reform and Development in Egypt: U.S. Goals and Priorities.” The event was moderated by Kate Seelye, Vice President at MEI.
For full notes, continue below. For pdf version, click here.
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Posted in DC Event Notes, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Islam, Political Parties, Protests, US foreign policy, US politics, Women's Rights | 1 Comment »
