On Monday Partners for Democratic Change hosted the Society for International Development, Washington’s Middle East Workgroup for a monthly brown bag lunch entitled “An Update from Bahrain with Bahraini Human Rights Activist, Maryam al-Khawaja.” Monalisa Salib, Senior Manager, Partners for Democratic Change opened the event. Cole Bockenfeld, Advocacy Director for the Project on Middle East Democracy provided background information on events in Bahrain and introduced Maryam al-Khawaja. Notes on the event ...

In an Al Jazeera editorial, political scientist Jillian Schwedler argues against the idea of monarchical exceptionalism, highlighting increasing popular pressure on Morocco, Jordan and the Gulf kingdoms. The idea is based on two premises: that monarchies which allow some political participation can tolerate more dissent because they do not pretend to derive their legitimacy from elections; and that monarchs have greater legitimacy rooted in religious credentials. Schwedler challenges the second ...

Yemeni civilians have fled due to clashes between the army and militants suspected to be close to al-Qaeda in Abyan, a southern province, after the capital Zinjibar fell to militants last month.  On Sunday, at least 12 militants and nine soldiers were killed in three clashes between Islamists and separatists.  Outside Zinjibar, 12 militants and two soldiers were killed and five soldiers were killed in a separate attack near Zinjibar. According ...

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) released a report on Tuesday entitled "Transition in Yemen: An overview of constitutional and electoral provisions." The report outlines the constitutional framework and key actors in Yemen's electoral process, but raises some serious concerns should snap elections occur. Article 116 of the constitution stipulates elections within 60 days of the president's incapacitation. IFES identifies serious concerns with voter registration, potentially disenfranchising a large ...

As the Bahraini government lifted the emergency law protests and the suppression thereof renewed in and around Manama. Meanwhile, King Hamad Issa Al Kahlifa justified the continued presence of foreign Gulf troops as protesting the country from external threats, not anti-government protests. The renewed crackdown ensues as human rights activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawajah faces a military court trial. Top Wefaq opposition officials Sheikh Ali Salman, Ibrahim al-Marzouk, Abdel Jalil Ali ...

Anouar Boukhars, writing at the Arab Reform Bulletin, discusses the Gulf Cooperation Council's invitation to Morocco to become a member of the bloc.  Boukhars notes the diplomatic, political and economic boost membership would bring to the country, especially in light of its ongoing conflict with Algeria.  However, he states, many Moroccans oppose joining the group as they see it as an attempt by Gulf countries to forestall the reforms promised ...

Hussein Tantawi, head of Egypt's ruling military council, announced on Saturday that Saudi Arabia has pledged $4 billion dollars in aid to Egypt in the form of long-term loans and grants. Al-Ahram reports that the package will include a $1 billion deposit at the Central Bank of Egypt and $500 million in bond purchases. The announcement follows an investment promotion tour to the Gulf by Egypt's prime minister Essam Sharaf ...

On Saturday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wished Yemenis a joyous National Unity Day, called on Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh to follow through on his commitment to transfer power and declared U.S. support for  the Yemeni people.  She reiterated calls for Saleh's departure on Sunday following reports that factions loyal to the President had encircled the UAE embassy in Sana'a and refused to allow ambassadors from the United States, ...

On Friday, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hosted a hearing on the human rights situation in Bahrain.  The commission – chaired by James McGovern (D-MA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) – requested the testimony of the following individuals: Joe Stork, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa programs at Human Rights Watch (HRW); Maryam Al-Khawaja, Head of Foreign Relations Office at the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR); ...