Egypt: New Pew Poll and Prospects for Liberal Factions
April 26th, 2011 by Ali
The Pew Research Center published a poll on Egypt’s political outlook on Tuesday, offering the “first credible” statistical insight of the political trends in post-revolutionary Egypt. Researchers conducted personal interviews with 1,000 Egyptian adults between 24 March and 7 April. Generally, the poll shows a highly favorable view of the military, and split support for the Muslim Brotherhood, the April 6 Movement and Ayman Nour’s Al-Ghad party. The New York Time’s coverage of the poll highlighted the optimism most Egyptian feels about the trajectory of the country. In contrast, Ahram Online, focused on the more than half of Egyptians who do not want to keep the peace treaty with Israel or maintain an Israeli embassy in the country, as well as the mere 36 percent of Egyptians who believe Coptic Christians should be able to freely practice their religion. Haaretz’s analysis emphasized that college-educated Egyptians are more likely to support the peace treaty than the working class.
A recent Financial Times op-ed underscores worries about Egypt’s liberal bloc, “Unfortunately, much of the energy of liberal Egypt seems to be focused on pursuing the old regime rather than preparing for the future.” The April 6 Movement announced its withdrawal from the Revolutionary Youth Coalition (RYC), citing the coalition’s interference in the movement’s internal affairs. April 6 seeks to create a comprehensive umbrella coalition that can participate in parliamentary elections.
Posted in Civil Society, Egypt, Islamist movements, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Youth | Comment »
Turkish President Says Future of Arab Spring Depends on Middle East Peace Agreement
April 22nd, 2011 by Ali
Turkish President Abdullah Gul, in a New York Times op-ed, argued that a comprehensive agreement between Israel and the Palestinian authority is necessary for regional security and democratic consolidation in the wake of the Arab Spring. Gul’s presumes that a reliable peace and stable regional democracies are complimentary, given that the “plight of the Palestinians has been a root cause of unrest and conflict in the region and is being used as a pretext for extremism in other corners of the world;” and because “[h]istory has repeatedly shown that a true, fair and lasting peace can only be made between peoples, not ruling elites.” The hypothesis linking the the Palestinian question with stability in a post-revolutionary Middle East has been rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though supported by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Gul proposed that Turkey “facilitate” negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis while conceding the chief mediating role to the United States. He toted Turkey’s mediation credentials while implicitly acknowledging the recent cooling in Turkish-Israeli relations, “Turkey’s track record in the years before Israel’s Gaza operation in December 2008 bears testimony to our dedication to achieving peace.” He acknowledged Turkey’s own stake in regional peace and stability in its eagerness to facilitate negotiations. Turkey’s geo-political interests in the region were underscored in an Al Hayat op-ed which described Syria as pulled between the influences of Anakara and Tehran.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests | Comment »
Ambassador Verveer To Travel to Egypt, Israel, West Bank
April 14th, 2011 by Naureen
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanie Verveer will travel to Egypt, Israel and the West Bank from April 15th through April 22nd. During her visit, the ambassador will meet with government officials, political party representatives, civil society leaders and the media to discuss the need for inclusion of women in the political process and their role as peace builders. She will also meet with business leaders, youth organizations and women’s NGOs to highlight their women’s empowerment initiatives.
Posted in Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Freedom, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, NGOs, Palestine, Protests, Women, Women's Rights | Comment »
Palestine: Statehood or Elections?
April 11th, 2011 by Ali
The IMF and World Bank will present reports at a Palestinian Authority donors conference in Brussels this week in which they pronounce Palestinian institutions ready for statehood. This underscores Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s running two-year promise to pronounce a Palestinian state by September of this year at the UN General Assembly. In spite of progress, the report cites the repercussions of stalled negotiations as an obstacle to continued growth.
Israeli President Shimon Peres argued that the UN should not “impose a Palestinian state on Israel” if it cannot guarantee Israel’s security. Two months ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared that reconciliation with Gaza would be a prerequisite to elections. However, Elliott Abrams argues that a unity government with Hamas will undermine peace negotiations, and hence the drive for statehood.
Posted in Elections, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine | Comment »
Israeli President Calls for Support of Region’s Democratic Transitions
April 8th, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, Israeli President Shimon Peres called on the international community to support a democratic transition in Syria along with the democratic youth movements across the broader Middle East. He also stated that Israel was ready to give up the Golan Heights, as part of a peace deal with Syria, if the country would break ties with Iran and Hezbollah. He called for a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as “a means of supporting and aligning with the wave of revolutions sweeping the Arab world.” Peres also welcomed the opening of political space in Egypt after acknowledging the role Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak played in the peace process. Speaking on the situation in Jordan, however, Peres called for the international community to support King Abdullah II stating, ”He is a responsible leader who is trying to serve his people.”
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Freedom, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Israel, Jordan, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests, Reform, Syria | Comment »
Kerry Condemns Violence in Syria, Hopes Assad Will Set Schedule for Political Reform
March 29th, 2011 by Naureen
During an interview with Jackson Diehl of The Washington Post, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) stated that he had contacted senior Syrian officials to demand an end to the killing, “I delivered as strong a message as I can that they have to avoid violence and listen to their people and respond. Obviously the way the government has behaved is unacceptable. Sixty-one people killed is terrible, its abhorrant behavior.” Kerry stated that he hopes that Syrian President Bashar Al Assad will outline steps for political liberalization during his speech in front of the Syrian Parliament tomorrow. ”If he responds, if he moves to lift the emergency law, to provide a schedule for a precise set of reforms and a precise set of actions….we might begin to question whether something different is happening,” Kerry said. He also said that calls for U.S. intervention and sanctions are premature and stated that the ouster of Assad could lead to a power vacuum that could hurt the peace process.
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Freedom, Human Rights, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests, Reform, Syria | Comment »
Former Governor Tim Pawlenty Calls on Obama to Recall Ambassador to Syria
March 29th, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R), speaking on the Hugh Hewitt Show, called on President Barack Obama to recall U.S. Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford and criticized his handling of unrest there: “President Obama made the mistake of sending an ambassador to Syria, legitimizing that country and his regime in ways that I don’t think are appropriate. Recall the ambassador.” Pawlenty also argued that U.S. interests in Syria are stronger than those in Libya and called on Obama to communicate a stronger message on Syria and ramp up sanctions.
Posted in Diplomacy, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests, Reform, Syria | Comment »
POMED Notes: “Sen. John Kerry on U.S. Policy Toward the Middle East”
March 17th, 2011 by Alec
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) delivered a speech at The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, on U.S. foreign policy toward the Middle East in light of the recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt and continued unrest and protests across the entire region. Marwan Muasher, vice president of studies at The Carnegie Endowment introduced Senator Kerry and made brief remarks about the current unrest in the region.
For full notes, continue below. For pdf version, click here.
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Posted in Arab League, Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Event Notes, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Journalism, Judiciary, Legislation, Libya, Middle Eastern Media, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Islam, Political Parties, Protests, Reform, Terrorism, Tunisia, Turkey, US foreign policy | Comment »
POMED Notes: ““Assessing U.S. Foreign Policy Priorities and Needs amidst Economic Challenges in the Middle East”
March 10th, 2011 by Kyle
The House Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia held an open hearing on U.S. policy in response to the political unrest across the Middle East as well as to discuss the economic issues facing the region, the committee – chaired by Congressman Steve Chabot (R-OH) and with ranking member Congressman Gary L. Ackerman (D-NY) in attendance – requested the testimony of two individuals: Jeffrey D. Feltman Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and Mr. George A. Laudato Administrator’s Special Assistant for the Middle East at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
For full notes continue below, or click here for pdf.
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Posted in Civil Society, Congress, Congressional Hearing Notes (House), Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Elections, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Multilateralism, North Africa, Palestine, Protests, Reform, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, US foreign policy | Comment »
POMED Notes: “Revolution in the Middle East: A Trip Report by Senator John McCain and Senator Joseph Lieberman”
March 6th, 2011 by Kyle
On Thursday the Brookings Institute hosted an event focused on the recent trip of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) to the Middle East entitled: “Revolution in the Middle East: A Trip Report by Senator John McCain and Senator Joseph Lieberman.” The event was opened by Strobe Talbott, President of the Brookings Institute and moderated by Robert Kagan, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute.
For full notes, continue below. Click here for pdf.
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Posted in al-Qaeda, Bahrain, Civil Society, Diplomacy, Egypt, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Hezbollah, Human Rights, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mideast Peace Plan, Muslim Brotherhood, North Africa, Palestine, Political Islam, Protests, Reform, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Yemen | Comment »
Historic Change Demands Historic Policy
February 23rd, 2011 by Kyle
Fareed Zakaria, writing in The Washington Post, believes that the revolutions that are taking place across the Middle East cannot be looked at individually because “this is really a seismic shift and will in time reverberate throughout the region.” Zakaria asserts that this is the first time in nearly a millenia that the Arab people “are taking charge of their own affairs.” Zakaria believes that America has shifted its policy on the Middle East drastically due to a realization that support for the regions dictators breeds terrorism and that U.S. power in the region is waning due to over-extension through war and the continued Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that both Bush’s “freedom agenda” and Obama’s quieter work of supporting freedom but making clear that it is not forced have been effective in helping to perpetuate change in the region. Due to the nature of the events the Obama administration has had to handle these uprisings individually but Zakaria asserts that the time has come for the United States to have a clear policy to address “a Middle East that is in the midst of this historic change.”
Posted in Diplomacy, Freedom, Human Rights, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Protests, Reform, Terrorism, US foreign policy | Comment »
POMED Notes: “After Mubarak: What do the Egyptian People Really Want?”
February 18th, 2011 by Kyle
On Wednesday, the Middle East Institute hosted an event focused on the public opinions of Egyptians in the wake of Mubarak’s fall from power, entitled, “After Mubarak: What do the Egyptian People Really Want?” The Middle East Institute hosted two speakers; Steven Kull, Middle East public opinion expert and director of the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, along with, Shibley Telhami, the Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Saban Center of the Brookings Institution.
For full notes, click here for pdf. or continue below.
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Posted in Diplomacy, Egypt, Human Rights, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, Protests, Public Opinion, Reform, Sectarianism, US foreign policy | Comment »
U.S. Agrees to Rebuke Israel in Security Council
February 17th, 2011 by Naureen
On Tuesday, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Susan E. Rice informed Arab governments that the U.S. will support a U.N. Security Council statement reaffirming that the council “does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity.” Colum Lynch writing at the Foreign Policy blog, Turtle Bay, states that this was a move aimed at avoiding the prospect of having to veto a stronger Palestinian resolution which call the settlements illegal. Palestinians have, however, rejected the U.S. offer after a meeting of Arab representatives on Wednesday and plan to press for a vote on its resolution on Friday, which will likely be vetoed. Lynch argues, however that this marks the U.S.’s “willingness to seek a way out of the current impasse, even if it requires breaking with Israel.” In exchange for “scuttling the Palestinian resolution,” the U.S. will support the council statement, consider supporting a U.N. Security Council visit to the Middle East and commit to supporting strong language criticizing Israel’s settlement policies in a future statement to be drafted by the Middle East Quartet. According to council diplomats, the U.S. shift in rhetoric comes as the 14 other members prepare to support the Palestinian resolution.
Addressing a question on the settlement statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stated, “Our focus is on doing what is best to advance negotiations between the parties that will lead to a two-state solution…we are working with our partners in the Security Council, with our friends in the region, to find a consensus way forward that is consistent with our overall approach.”
Posted in Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, United Nations | Comment »
Egypt: “Mubarak’s Interests Are Not America’s”
February 8th, 2011 by Kyle
Saad Eddin Ibrahim, writing in The Wall Street Journal, believes that the United States and other Western leaders have been “duped” by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and must seek an immediate democratic transition. Saad discusses how Mubarak has misled his people and the international community into believing that he is the only answer for stability in Egypt and the region. Saad states that: “He has accomplished this feat by systematically eliminating—through intimidation, torture and imprisonment—all potential alternatives to his leadership.” Saad argues that Mubarak’s economic policies and his work with the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict has not brought greater prosperity to the people of the Middle East, but instead has only served the interests of those close to his regime. Saad states that the West must, “continue to make it clear that they will not be deceived any longer by Mr. Mubarak” and that Western Governments “must lean on the Egyptian military and support the rapid emergence of a transitional government that will pave the way to free and fair elections fully supervised by the judiciary.”
Posted in Egypt, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Possible Outcomes of Egypt’s Protests
February 1st, 2011 by Naureen
Writing at Democracy Arsenal, Joel Rubin discusses possible scenarios that could play out, as a result of the protests in Egypt. First, he states that Gamal Mubarak‘s political ambitions have been effectively curtailed, given protesters clear resentment of the National Democratic Party and the fact that the “military didn’t want him.” His “crony friends,” Rubin says, are also on their way out of the country. Rubin also argues that Mubarak’s biggest concession, of making Omar Suleiman vice president, will likely mean a crackdown on Islamists and states that the future loyalty of the Army remains unclear. Given that the Army is our closest ally in Egypt after Mubarak, it may be very good for the U.S., but its independence from the Egyptian government and economy may cost us as we strive to keep the peace and stability in the country. And while Congress “has the power of the purse,” voting to cut funding to Egypt will “eliminate rapidly dissipating American influence in Egypt,” especially given that the military is “the only respected institution in that country — and one that we know well — and likely the one that will be central to it for years to come.”
Rubin also states that the chaos in Cairo will “beget repression elsewhere in the region.” Regimes in the region will likely follow the Iranian model, where government crackdown “snuffed out the Green Movement,” which will undoubtedly have negative repercussions for the U.S.’s reputation abroad. Rubin also argues, that Israel will likely withdraw support for the Middle East peace as they are scared “to take any more risks anytime soon on a peace deal with another Arab autocrat.”
Posted in Egypt, Foreign Aid, Iran, Mideast Peace Plan, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, Protests, Reform | Comment »
Turkish and Israeli PMs Voice Support for Egyptian Protesters
February 1st, 2011 by Kyle
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his cautious support for the protesters in Egypt, encouraging, “the advancement of free and democratic values in the Middle East.” Netanyahu also stated: “Israel believes that the global community must demand that any Egyptian government preserve the peace treaty with Israel.” This claim came in the context of a broader appeal to the protesters if they succeed, to maintain Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel. This comes from the fear of the possibility of radical elements assuming control, which Netanyahu believes would be “a blow to peace and democracy.”
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, gave explicit comments in support of the Egyptian protesters stating: “We hope that these incidents come to an end as soon as possible, without leading to great suffering, and that the people’s legitimate and sensible demands are met.” Erdogan went further asserting: “Our greatest wish in Egypt and Tunisia is that reforms are implemented as soon as possible, but also that peace and security are established.”
Posted in Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Egypt, Islamist movements, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Protests, Turkey | Comment »
January Marks Shift in Issues Central to the Middle East
February 1st, 2011 by Kyle
Elliott Abrams wrote at his blog that the opportunity for Gamal Mubarak to succeed his father has passed. He states: “Efforts to cram him into that position would give rise to public discontent far greater than we are seeing already,” thus succession in Egypt is uncertain. Abrams also highlights that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict issue is no longer central in the Middle East in light of recent uprisings across the region, stating, “What unites these events is their relationship to the democracy deficit and to internal social and economic problems, not to Israel.”
Posted in Egypt, Israel, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Protests | Comment »
POMED Notes: “A Statesman’s Forum with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh”
January 26th, 2011 by Alec
The Brookings Institution hosted a forum on Monday with moderator Martin Indyk, former U.S. ambassador to Israel and Vice President and Director of the Foreign Policy program at Brookings and featured speaker Foreign Minister Nasser S. Judeh. Martin Indyk made brief introductory remarks acknowledging the presence of the ambassadors from Morocco, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority in the audience.
To read full notes continue below, or click here for pdf. For full audio, click here.
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Posted in DC Event Notes, Israel, Jordan, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine | Comment »
POMED Notes: “Towards A Palestinian State : Is Institution Building Succeeding?”
September 29th, 2010 by Anna
On Wednesday, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the United States Institute of Peace co-hosted a panel discussion titled “Towards a Palestinian State: Is Institution Building Succeeding?” The discussion was moderated by Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, a Program Officer in USIP’s Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution. The panelists were Nathan Brown, a Nonresident Senior Associate of the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment, Neil Kritz, the Senior Scholar in Residence in the Center for Mediation and Conflict Resolution at USIP, Ghaith Al-Omari, Advocacy Director at the American Task Force on Palestine, and Howard Sumka, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Middle East for USAID.
For the full notes, continue reading below. Or, click here for the PDF.
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Posted in DC Event Notes, Events, Foreign Aid, Hamas, Judiciary, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties, Public Opinion, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »
Palestine: Hamas-Fatah Reconciliation Best Response to Israel’s Moratorium End
September 27th, 2010 by Anna
According to Deutsche Press-Agentur, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal stated today that reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas will be the best response to the end of Israel’s moratorium on settlement building in the West Bank. In his view, internal Palestinian reconciliation will give negotiators the necessary clout in peace talks with Israel. He called on Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to pursue that reconciliation, and also to make good on his threat to walk out on peace talks if the construction moratorium expired. Abbas has so far not announced whether he will continue to participate in the talks.
Meshaal has been meeting with Fatah’s Azzam al-Ahmad in Damascus (where Meshaal lives in exile), and indicated today that full reconciliation between the two factions may come soon. He said that “serious and real steps” have been taken towards ending divisions, and the two sides plan to meet again in Cairo in the coming weeks.
Posted in Hamas, Mideast Peace Plan, Palestine, Political Parties | Comment »
