RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khalil Al-Anani, August 19, 2008, Daily News Egypt
Khalil Al-Anani tackles the question of America’s commitment to democracy promotion, and he questions the strength of that commitment, especially when it comes in conflict with American strategic interests. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khalil Al-Anani, August 14-20, 2008, Al-Ahram Weekly
Khalil Al-Anani considers the question of the internal practice of democracy among Islamist groups in the Arab world. He concludes that Islamist parties often demonstrate a greater respect for democratic practice than secular and liberal parties. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, July/August 2008, The National Interest
Think that state sponsors of terror are pulling all the strings? Think again. Daniel Byman details how countries like Iran and Syria may play a big role in the terrorism underworld, but they’re quickly losing control over rogues that bite the hands that once fed them. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Carlos Pascual, August 2008, The Brookings Institution
The next president of the United States will inherit 130,000 to 150,000 troops in Iraq amidst a fractured state of Iraqi politics. Carlos Pascual suggests that the next U.S. president should seek the help of the United Nations to broker a political settlement in Iraq that breaks through this Gordian knot. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khalil Al-Anani, August 12, 2008, Daily Star Egypt
Khalil Al-Anani writes about the recent coup in Mauritania and about its ramifications for the Arab world. He argues that the country’s recent political history is proof of the need for the broader region to commit to democracy as the best means of achieving political balance and economic prosperity. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Washington, DC
Turkey’s Constitutional Court recently struck down an attempt to outlaw the Justice and Development Party (AKP). This court case had been described by international media as a battle between the secular and devout sides of Turkey’s national “soul.”The Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted three of Turkey’s most astute political observers for a discussion of the court ruling and its implications. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tamara Cofman Wittes, July 2008, Journal of Democracy
Brookings expert Tamara Cofman Wittes writes that the usual division of Islamists into “moderate” and “extremist” categories is less helpful than a threefold classification that suggests a distinct policy approach toward each group. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Tamara Cofman Wittes, July 30, 2008, Middle East Strategy at Harvard
Tamara Cofman Wittes writes about her recent article in the Journal of Democracy where she outlines three distinct categories of Islamism. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Khalil Al-Anani, July 29, 2008, Daily News Egypt
Khalil Al-Anani writes about the legitimacy of Egyptian leadership and living standards in the country. He argues that new leaders can rebuild legitimacy by embracing reform and opening up. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Hady Amr, July 25, 2008, Gulf News
Hady Amr discusses the current mood in Malaysia, a predominantly Muslim country, and its people's reaction to the U.S. presidential race. Amr states that, in their view, Malaysians are looking forward to the return of U.S. leadership which uses all facets of diplomacy instead of force to assert power in the world. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
The Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a policy forum luncheon in conjunction with Search for Common Ground on July 23, 2008. The Saban Center welcomed three members of Search for Common Ground’s US-Syria Working Group, including featured speaker Ahmad Samir al-Taki, director of the Orient Center for International Studies in Damascus and consultant to the Syrian Prime Minister. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kenneth M. Pollack, July 13, 2008, The New York Times
Kenneth Pollack explores the idea that profits from record high oil prices may lead to a new era of diversified economies and employment in the Middle East. Pollack believes the idea is incorrect, because even though there is more money coming in, it is not being spent where it is most needed. Read More
VIDEO
Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Stephen P. Cohen, July 11, 2008
Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Quershi, the foreign minister of Pakistan, discussed his nation's foreign policy and the U.S.-Pakistani relationship in the context of challenges including peace in the Middle East, combating terrorism and stabilizing Afghanistan.
PAST EVENT
Friday, July 11, 2008
12:30 PM to 1:30 PM
Washington, DC
As Pakistan emerges from tumultuous national elections and continues to address tensions on its western frontier, the nation faces several domestic and foreign policy challenges—and opportunities—in the months ahead. On July 11, the Brookings Institution hosted Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the foreign minister of Pakistan, for a discussion of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Read More