In The News

Russia and Poland Seek Restored Relevance in the New Middle East

Jerzy Zdanowski June 28, 2005
Russia's role in the Middle East has always been a crucial part of its global strategy. During the Cold War, the Soviets sought allies amongst states that were alienated by the Americans. Now, Russian President Vladimir Putin is seeking to cash in on current economic and political possibilities in the Middle East. Russia is establishing important trade ties with countries like Turkey, as...

A Muslim Woman, a Story of Sex

Alan Riding June 22, 2005
The Almond, the first novel of North African writer Nedjma, has attracted media and critical attention ever since its publication in France last year. The novel is a study of sex – a topic very much off-limits to authors in traditional Arab societies, let alone the women who live within the conservative-leaning social structures. Nedjma, herself a female and a product of Muslim society, has...

In the Gulf, Women Are Not Women’s Best Friends

N. Janardhan June 20, 2005
Following in the steps of Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, Kuwait recently granted women the right to vote and hold public office. The country, however, still faces important challenges in achieving the full and equal integration of women into society. Although women in the Gulf are becoming increasingly visible in businesses, their political rights continue to be restrained by a combination of...

Change in Syria?

Mohamed Sid-Ahmed June 17, 2005
At a long-awaited regional congress this week, Syria's Baath Party met to consider political and economic reforms. The Syrian leadership has faced much criticism for many aspects of its regime. Human rights abuses, assassinations and continued intelligence operations in Lebanon, and a shutdown of participatory government are some of the charges that the international community is laying at...

For Democratic Change, Deal with Moderate Islamists

Amr Hamzawy June 15, 2005
In its push to spread democracy to the Middle East, the West has favored secular liberal movements in countries around the region as their partners of choice. These alliances make sense on an ideological level, as many Arab liberals and non-religious parties wholeheartedly espouse the Western democracy model and Enlightenment political philosophy. However, such movements tend to lack popular...

Arab Satellite Television and Democracy in the Arab World

S. Abdallah Schleifer May 13, 2005
The history of televised news in the Middle East is a checkered yet fascinating one, writes S. Abdallah Schleifer of the Foreign Policy Research Institute. Early news broadcasts relied upon a simple regurgitation of state activity – presidents giving prepared speeches, inaugurating some new public work, or returning from a trip abroad – providing little analysis or variety. Stock footage paired...

Double Vision in Beirut

Frances Z. Brown May 12, 2005
In the three months since the assassination of Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, the Middle Eastern country has seen a remarkable transformation. Large-scale and tenacious street protests resulted in the resignation of the incumbent pro-Syrian prime minister. As Western powers acclaim the "Cedar Revolution" – named after the emblem adorning the Lebanese flag, and...