It’s What Happens After Jordan’s Elections That Really Matters
Jordan’s recent parliamentary elections were notably free of widespread fraud and registered a respectable 56% voter turnout rate.1 Yet, the technically clean vote belies deeper structural flaws-an emasculated parliament that disproportionately represents rural tribal loyalists and an entrenched culture of tribalism-that impede progress toward a genuine multi-party democracy. As Jordan grapples with significant economic challenges […]
Op-ed by Ellen Laipson featured in Bloomberg
Ellen Laipson’s op-ed, “Economic Ties Can Save Africa’s Arab Spring,” was featured in Bloomberg. Click here to see read the piece.
Innovative Startups Present New Promise for Arab Transitions
By Que’Nique Mykte’ Newbill and Dina Shahrokhi – Innovative startups, driven by young entrepreneurs, continue to thrive in the Middle East even amidst the evolving challenges in the region’s transitions. Many of these auspicious ventures adapt existing technology to their local context. Other young enterprises have developed new technologies that hold promise for the global […]
Prospects for Greater Economic Integration in the Maghreb
“Prospects for Greater Economic Integration in the Maghreb“with Ghazi Ben Ahmed, General Secretary-General, the Club de Tunis On November 26th, Pathways to Progress: Peace, Prosperity and Change in the Middle East sponsored a roundtable discussion on prospects for Maghreb economic integration with Ghazi Ben Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Club de Tunis, a newly-established Tunisian think-tank. Ben […]
How Morsy’s Fall Empowers Islamists
In overthrowing Mohamed Morsy, Egypt’s military, the judiciary, and the secular-minded revolutionaries in central Cairo just extended the political life spans of Islamists across the Middle East. The Muslim Brotherhood, once at the vanguard of worldwide Islamist political and social movements, failed miserably in their year in power. Most likely, President Morsy’s term in office would have […]
Why Syria may be the catalyst for Jordan’s “Arab Spring”
By Que’Nique Mykte’ Newbill – Syrian spillover increasingly poses a serious risk of broader instability in Jordan. Jordan’s closed political environment coupled with significant economic challenges and increased security-related threats constitute a precarious situation for the kingdom. In particular, King Abdullah’s refusal to implement meaningful reforms while stifling deepening social unrest puts Jordan on an […]
Ellen Laipson publishes op-ed in Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee) on Syria
Ellen Laipson authored an opinion-editorial in the Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI) about the crisis in Syria. Click here to read the op-ed.
A New Spring in the Middle East? The Emerging Nuclear Energy Renaissance
By Marianne Nari Fisher – The Middle East North Africa (MENA) Nuclear Construction Conference was hosted by the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey in late September 2012 in Dubai. This recent political and commercial congregation demonstrates the serious intent of these Middle Eastern states to move forward with nuclear energy programs. Governing bodies […]