Articles
Tunisia's Jebali on Traumas of Transition
Jun 19, 2013Hamadi Jebali was Tunisia’s first prime minister after the 2011 Jasmine Revolution. Often compared to Nelson Mandela, he spent 17 years in prison for his involvement with the Islamist Ennahda movement. Jebali reflects on post-revolution achievements and failures and future challenges in two interviews and a public appearance.
Syria: It's al Qaeda versus Hezbollah
Jun 14, 2013The battle for the soul of Syria has taken an even deadlier turn over the past two months. The strategic center of the Middle East is also now a battleground between Hezbollah and al Qaeda, the region’s two toughest extremist movements.
Ghannouchi: Islamists now taking on Islamists
May 30, 2013Sheikh Rachid al Ghannouchi spoke candidly about the new crackdown on Salafi extremists and other challenges Tunisia faces two years after the Jasmine Revolution. "We have to fight against this phenomenon [of extremist violence] through economic development, through the media," Ghannouchi said in Washington.
U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in Middle East
May 20, 2013Blasphemy and apostasy laws were applied in a discriminatory manner in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in 2012, according to a new report by the U.S. State Department. “These laws are frequently used to repress dissent, to harass political opponents, and to settle personal vendettas,” Secretary of State Kerry said on May 20.
Pew: Egyptians Favor Major Role for Islam in Politics
May 16, 2013At least 60 percent of Egyptians prefer democracy to any other kind of government, according to new poll by the Pew Research Global Attitudes Project. Results suggest that Egyptians want Islam to play a major role in their democracy. About 58 percent of Egyptians say laws should strictly follow Koranic teachings while 28 percent contend that laws should reflect Islamic values and principles ― but not strictly follow the Koran. Only 11 percent do not think the Quran should influence national laws.
Pew: Egyptians Pessimistic on Economy
May 16, 2013About 76 percent of Egyptians say economic conditions are bad, and 42 percent expect them to worsen in the coming year, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Global Attitudes Project. Egyptians are split over whether or not the country is better off after President Hosni Mubarak’s departure.
Lebanon’s Sheikhs Take on Assad and Hezbollah
May 10, 2013Salafis are shaking up the fragile political balance among Muslims in Lebanon. The ultraconservative Sunnis—whose religious and social models come from the 7th century—are now stealing the limelight from Sunni and Shiite movements that have dominated politics since Lebanon gained independence in 1943.
Pew: U.S. Attitudes on Islam Post-Boston
May 07, 2013The Boston Marathon bombings do not appear to have changed the public’s view of Islam. In a notable poll, about 42 percent of Americans say Islam is more likely to encourage violence than other religions, while 46 percent say Islam does not. Opinions reflected in the new survey are similar to those found in others from the past decade. But in March 2002 ― just six months after the 9/11 attacks ― only a quarter of respondents said Islam was more likely to encourage violence.
Islam’s Powerful Role in the New Egypt
May 01, 2013Islam is now playing a more powerful role in Egyptian public life more than a year after Islamist parties dominated parliamentary elections. But Egypt is not following Iran’s path toward theocracy, according to a new paper by Nathan Brown, a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Tunisia: Secular Opposition Rising
Apr 24, 2013Tunisia’s secular opposition may be a major contender in presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for late 2013, according to a new paper by Marina Ottaway, a senior scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Call of Tunisia, an alliance of secular political groups is competing for supporters. In April 2013, it was “running almost even” with the Islamist Ennahda party in public opinion polls.
