Events
The Demons Besieging Lebanon: Iran’s Tighter Grip
Hezbollah’s main strength in Lebanon is not its weaponry. Its real backbone is its popular support, which guarantees Hezbollah’s control over state institutions. Iran may be prepared to lose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, but it is certainly not ready to lose Lebanon. Now that Hezbollah’s popular support in Lebanon is waning, Iran will do whatever it takes to overcome the results of Lebanon's parliamentary elections in 2013.
Is a Diplomatic Breakthrough Possible in Baghdad?
With the threat of further sanctions looming, Iran may be more inclined to halt uranium-enrichment efforts, and this week’s meetings on the country’s nuclear program is less tense than past talks. Still, plenty of obstacles lie on the road to an agreement, not least of which is US domestic politics this election year. Wilson Center expert Michael Adler analyzes the situation.
Reformist Women Thinkers in Islamic Societies
What place does gender reform have in modern Islamic societies? A May 4 conference sponsored by the Middle East Program examined the efforts of reformist women to improve the status of women throughout the region.
Iran Election Update
The Middle East Program offers the latest news on the Iranian presidential election of June 2013, based on a selection of Iranian news sources. The Iran Election Update is a daily summary of up-to-date information with links to news in both English and Farsi. It includes the latest developments and analysis of news about the upcoming election.
Egypt Risks 'Unraveling the Revolution'
Egypt could risk an "unraveling of the revolution" amid declining voter turnout over the course of the elections and deepening political polarisation, Wilson Center-USIP Distinguished Scholar Robin Wright told BBC's Jane O'Brien.
The U.S. Department of State issues a statement regarding the recent violence in Bahrain
The State Department issued a statement on behalf of Nabeel Rajab, 2011 Ion Ratiu Democracy Award recipient and leading Bahraini human rights activist who was beaten by government forces in the capital of Manama last week.
An Assesment of the Iranian Presidential Elections
The Middle East Project at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars arranged a series of meetings on June 25 and
26, 2001, to assess the June 9 presidential elections in Iran. A number of Iranian specialists from Iran and the U.S. took part in the sessions. This publication brings together the papers presented at these meetings.
Israel Faces Reset Moment
Israel’s surprising election result gives its wing-clipped prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, an opportunity to shift to the center, to reset the U.S.-Israeli relationship, and to seek a two-state solution, writes Jane Harman.
