September 26, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Civil War, Elections, Featured, Freedom, Government, Political transition, Protests, Public Opinion, Yemen
POMED Notes: “Sifting Fact from Fiction: The Role of Social Media in Conflict”
The United States Institute of Peace hosted a conference with several discussion panels regarding the use of social media in conflict. Each of the panels had a different focus, varying from the very technical to the more politically-oriented. The purpose of the conference was to determine if a definitive effect from social media on conflict could be discerned. For notes continue reading or click here for the PDF. Opening remarks were addressed ...
September 21, 2011
Category: Bahrain, Civil Society, DC Event Notes, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Freedom, Government, Journalism, Media, Political Parties, Political transition, Protests, Public Opinion
Egypt: Political Groups Meet with SCAF
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) held a meeting with representatives from the 47 political parties to discuss the emergency law, military tribunals, and parliamentary elections. The council decided to end the military trials of civilians, except in the ...
“Egypt Islamist Group Denied Political Party License”
The Political Parties Affairs Committee in Egypt has banned the formation of a political party by Al Gamaa al-Islamiyya, an Islamist group. Egypt’s state news agency said the committee rejected the formation of the party because it was founded on "religious ...
September 20, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Egypt, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Political Islam, Political transition
Syria: Dissidents Meet Outside Damascus
After 44 people were killed on Friday after morning prayers in anti-government protests, 200 dissidents met outside Damascus to unite key opposition figures. The meeting comes two days after Syrian opposition figures formed the Syrian National Council (SNC) to ...
State Dept. Releases International Religious Freedom Reports
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report, stating that "it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of ...
September 16, 2011
Category: Algeria, Bahrain, Civil Society, Egypt, Freedom, Iran, Iraq, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, US politics
POMED Notes:Transition in Tunisia- Analysis of the National Constituent Assembly Elections
On Wednesday, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems held a discussion with Rafael Lopez-Pintor, an IFES elections expert, which was moderated by Michael Svetlik, IFES Vice President of Programs. Lopez-Pintor spent two months in Tunisia this summer as an electoral expert for IFES. For full event notes, continue reading. Or, click here for the PDF. Lopez-Pintor began the discussion about the set-up of the electoral commission and how the electoral process is ...
Syria: Kurds Pledge Continued Support for Opposition
Kurdish leaders gathered on Monday in the Swedish parliament to affirm the Syrian Kurdish community's commitment to the opposition movement and a Syrian future without President Bashar Assad and Baathist Party rule. The gathering brought 50 participants together, including ...
September 6, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Featured, Human Rights, Kurds, Political transition, Protests, Sectarianism, Syria
Syria: Radwan Ziadeh’s Brother Arrested; More Sanctions
Yassein Ziadeh, the brother of Radwan Ziadeh who heads the Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies and is a visiting scholar at George Washington University, has been arrested by the "notorious" Syrian Air Force security forces. Yassein Ziadeh, who is ...
August 30, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Featured, Government, Judiciary, Military, Protests, sanctions, Security Sector, Syria, US foreign policy
Syria: Analysts Discuss Downfall of Assad
As Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown continues, many analysts are questioning if the regime will fall. Andrew Tabler, with the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, notes that Syria's allies are pushing for reform, but not calling for the ...
August 30, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Featured, Government, International Law, Middle Eastern Media, Protests, Syria, UN Security Council, US foreign policy
August 29, 2011
Category: Civil Society, International Law, Libya, Political transition, Rule of Law, UN Security Council, United Nations
Bahraini King Pardons Some Protesters, Calls for Unity
Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa announced a pardon for some protesters during a speech to the nation on Sunday. The King said, "there are those who are charged with abusing us and senior officials in Bahrain, we today announce ...
Libya: James Traub on the Tripoli Task Force
James Traub described the work of the Tripoli Task Force, a 70-member task force formed by the Transitional National Council (TNC) to plan for reconstruction in the capital, that oversaw a network of Libyans responsible for policing, water supply, fuel, schools, etc. Sohail Nakhoody, the former chief of staff to Aref Ali Nayed, leader of the task force and current ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said, "we had ...
Kuwaiti and Saudi Regimes “Out of Touch” with Political, Economic Realities
Writing in Foreign Policy, Priyanka Motaparthy describes the willingness of the Kuwaiti regime to prioritize stability over freedom of expression. Nasser Abul was arrested in July, accused of crimes against the state, physically abused, and indefinitely imprisoned because of ...
Syrian Opposition Council; Analysis of Assad’s Fate
Syrian opposition leaders meeting in Istanbul, Turkey moved closer to forming an opposition national council but mistrust and deep divisions have apparently stymied the process. The opposition is deeply fragmented along ideological and sectarian lines, and despite their ...
August 24, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Diplomacy, Protests, Sectarianism, Syria, US foreign policy
Libya: Analysts Discuss Post-Gadhafi Nation-Building
Writing in Foreign Affairs, James Dobbins and Frederic Wehrey discuss the prospects for post-Muammar Gadhafi nation-building. A successful transition will necessitate ensuring security, creating representative institutions, stimulating the economy, and tempering expectations. The authors conclude that the Libyan people must "translate the euphoria of their recent gains into patience and steadfastness in the months and years ahead," while the U.S. and international community "must apply the lessons of past reconstruction ...
August 24, 2011
Category: Civil Society, Libya, Multilateralism, Political transition, Security Sector, United Nations, US foreign policy
Analysis: Moving Forward in Libya, Parallels With Syria
The International Crisis Group (ICG) released a statement outlining the challenges and requirements of the Transitional National Council (TNC) as the political transition begins. ICG noted three challenges for TNC leadership and the international community: "to establish a broadly inclusive and representative transitional governing body; address immediate security risks; and find an appropriate balance between, on the one hand, the search for accountability and justice and, on the other, the ...