RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, February 10, 2012, The Washington Post
Daniel Byman outlines challenges for the international community in dealing with Syria. Arguing that the United States may have more at stake in Syria than other global actors, Byman outlines recommendations for U.S. policy moving forward. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, February 09, 2012, The Daily Beast
Bruce Riedel argues that should Israel conduct military strikes against Iran, it will also need to prepare for retaliation from Hezbollah in Lebanon. With the recent increases in Hezbollah’s military capacity, says Riedel, such a strike could prove very costly to Israel. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Salman Shaikh, February 09, 2012, Foreign Policy
After a recent trip to the Herzliyah Defense Conference in Tel Aviv, Salman Shaikh discusses Israel's reaction to the Arab awakening. Shaikh writes that Israel must encourage the current evolution of Arab politics for long term stability in the region. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC
One year after President Hosni Mubarak stepped down, democratic elections in Egypt have given Islamists a majority in Parliament; constitutional changes will have to be debated and decided; the division of power among Parliament, the presidency, and the military will have to be resolved; and the Egyptian economy will have to be put back on a growth trajectory. On February 8, Foreign Policy at Brookings and NBC’s Meet the Press hosted a panel discussion to assess the implications of the Egyptian revolution at its first anniversary. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Gwenn Okruhlik, February 08, 2012, Foreign Policy
After the February 2 parliamentary elections in Kuwait, which empowered a loose Islamist-tribal coalition of opposition candidates, political upheaval may continue in the country during the upcoming months. Gwenn Okruhlik examines political and ideological tensions surrounding the election and offers several insights into the future of Kuwaiti parliamentary politics. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Suzanne Maloney, February 07, 2012, The Brookings Institution
At the one year anniversary of Egypt's revolution, much uncertainty remains. Suzanne Maloney writes that the international community should bear Iran's post-revolutionary experience in mind as it seeks to persuade Egypt’s interim authorities to steer their country’s course in a responsible fashion. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Omar Ashour, February 07, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Omar Ashour discusses three challenges that will determine the success or failure of Egypt’s democratic transition: reforming the security sector, decreasing the military’s reserved domains of power, and channeling the energy of street activists. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, February 07, 2012, The Brookings Institution
One year after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, Bruce Riedel writes on Egypt's transition from revolution to governance. As Egypt continues to set the standard for Arab politics, Riedel argues that the United States must intensify engagement with all of Egypt's political parties. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Shadi Hamid, February 07, 2012, The Brookings Institution
As protests against the military continue in Egypt, Shadi Hamid examines how the relationship between the Egyptian and U.S. governments has changed in the year since Hosni Mubarak lost power, arguing that the military is increasing anti-American sentiment to build popular support. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Marvin Kalb, February 07, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Governments around the globe have often decried the influence of “foreign devils” on their societies. Marvin Kalb examines the latest crop of accusations from Russia and Egypt, and questions whether, in the age of social media, such claims continue to hold water. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, February 06, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Daniel Byman writes that success of democracy in Egypt is still in question one year after the fall of Hosni Mubarak’s regime. According to Byman, the United States should continue to encourage the Islamists toward moderation rather than supporting a reactionary military regime. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Shadi Hamid, February 06, 2012, CNN.com
Shadi Hamid says with Russia and China vetoing the U.N. Security Council’s resolution against Syria, despite support from the Syrian population for international aid, the civil war there will only intensify. Hamid argues that the international community must plan how to best end the stalemate. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, February 02, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
While regimes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya eventually fell during the Arab awakening, the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad has clung to power with grim resolution. The regime has slaughtered its people and ignored pressure from domestic, regional and international actors. Meanwhile, Iran has viewed the Arab Spring as a mixture of opportunity and threat, all the while resisting fierce international demands to end its nuclear enrichment program. On February 2, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a discussion to assess the ongoing crises with Syria and Iran, the potential for escalation, and America’s role in the situation. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, February 02, 2012, Foreign Policy
Without international intervention, Daniel Byman argues it is likely that Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad will remain in power. Byman outlines recommendations for U.S. and allied intervention plans. Read More