Yezid Sayigh

Senior Associate
Middle East Center
Sayigh is a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, where his work focuses on the Syrian crisis, the political role of Arab armies, security sector transformation in Arab transitions, the reinvention of authoritarianism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process.
 

Education

PhD, War Studies, King’s College London 
BSc, Chemistry, American University of Beirut 

Languages

Arabic; English; French

Contact Information

Resources

 

Yezid Sayigh is a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, where his work focuses on the Syrian crisis, the political role of Arab armies, security sector transformation in Arab transitions, the reinvention of authoritarianism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and peace process.

Previously, Sayigh was professor of Middle East studies at King’s College London. From 1994–2003, he served as assistant director of studies at the Centre of International Studies, Cambridge. From 1998–2003, he headed the Middle East program of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. Sayigh was also an adviser and negotiator in the Palestinian delegation to the peace talks with Israel from 1991–1994. Since 1999, he has provided policy and technical consultancy on the permanent-status peace talks and on Palestinian reform.

Sayigh is the author of numerous publications, including most recently The Syrian Opposition’s Leadership Problem (April 2013); Above the State: The Officers’ Republic in Egypt (August 2012); “We serve the people”: Hamas policing in Gaza (2011); and Policing the People, Building the State: Authoritarian transformation in the West Bank and Gaza (2011).

  • Syria’s Strategic Balance at a Tipping Point
    Article June 7, 2013 عربي
    Syria’s Strategic Balance at a Tipping Point

    The fall of the Syrian town of Qusair to Assad’s forces shows that the regime is poised to secure its position for the long term. The opposition must address its serious shortcomings.

    •  
  • Op-Ed al-Hayat May 30, 2013 عربي
    What Does the U.S. Expect From the International Conference on Syria?

    The U.S. will not openly abandon the opposition, but by involving Russia in a joint effort it blurs responsibility for accepting an outcome at the international peace conference that it has so far opposed.

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  • Article May 17, 2013 عربي
    Endgame for the Syrian National Coalition

    The Friends of Syria might not withdraw their official recognition of the National Coalition as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people anytime soon, but they are close to starting the search once again for a more credible opposition framework, preferably inside Syria.

    •  
  • Op-Ed Al-Hayat May 2, 2013 عربي
    The Friends of Syria’s Credibility Gap

    There seems to be a widening gap between what is needed in Syria and what the Friends of Syria are actually willing to do.

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  • Article April 25, 2013 عربي
    What Does Bashar al-Assad Want?

    The Syrian conflict will worsen considerably before the principal parties are ready to negotiate in earnest. At that point, the presidential election scheduled for May 2014 is likely to be the linchpin of an agreed exit.

    •  
  • Op-Ed Middle East Voices April 4, 2013 عربي
    An Arab Spring Gone Sour?

    It has become common to see instability and strife as the direct outcome of the Arab Spring. However, youth movements have so far performed better than most of their Islamist and supposedly secular and liberal competitors.

    •  
  • Paper April 3, 2013 عربي
    The Syrian Opposition’s Leadership Problem

    The Syrian National Coalition claims to be the official representative of civilian and rebel groups. However, it must empower the grassroots structures and engage political constituencies and state institutions to effectively lead the country.

    •  
  • Article March 28, 2013 عربي
    The Syrian Opposition’s Very Provisional Government

    The National Coalition took up Syria’s Arab League seat, but its victory will be fleeting if the coalition doesn't soon provide effective governance in liberated areas.

    •  
  • Op-Ed Al Monitor January 8, 2013 عربي
    Morsi and Egypt's Military

    Egypt’s new constitution has granted the Egyptian Armed Forces greater autonomy and a more formal political role than they ever enjoyed under the Mubarak regime.

    •  
  • Article December 24, 2012 عربي
    Can the National Coalition Lead Syria?

    The Syrian opposition must recognize its need for an effective political strategy capable of splitting the regime from within, bringing the Syrian crisis to a definitive resolution, and building a stable post-Assad Syria.

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More
  • June 6, 2013 Washington, D.C.
    The Changing Dynamics of the Syria Crisis

    Marathon talks among members of the main Syrian opposition group have failed to produce a consensus on rebel participation in the U.S.-Russia proposed Geneva peace conference.

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  • June 6, 2013 Beirut
    The Changing Dynamics of the Syria Crisis

    The two-year-old Syrian conflict sharply escalated in recent weeks, hence necessitating a renewed U.S.-Russian effort to find a solution to the crisis and solve inner tensions within the Syrian opposition.

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  • March 20, 2013 Beirut
    The Mythical Alliance: Russia’s Syria Policy

    Deadlock at the UN Security Council has so far dashed international hopes for finding an end to the Syrian crisis. The United States and Russia must now find a practical mechanism for implementing political transition in Syria.

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  • Panelists
    December 19, 2012 Beirut عربي
    Can the Arab States Reform Their Security Sectors?

    The Arab Spring has created challenges and opportunities for the Middle East. Transforming the security sector of Arab states currently in transition will be essential if democratic institutions are to thrive.

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  • June 22, 2012 Beirut عربي
    Egypt’s New President: Political and Economic Challenges

    Egypt’s new president will face a host of political and economic challenges, amid high expectations and aspirations from the population.

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  • June 20, 2012 Beirut عربي
    Algeria: Political and Security Challenges

    Algeria faces complex political and security challenges in both its domestic and international relations, prompting the government to consider a stronger alliance with Arab regional organizations in the name of national stability.

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  • January 18, 2012 Washington, D.C.
    Egypt's Military Custodianship

    Nearly a year after the fall of Egypt's long-time dictator, the country’s military remains in control but has promised to transfer power by July.

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  • Salem and Sayigh
    April 7, 2011 Beirut عربي Français
    Authoritarian and Security Trends in the West Bank and Gaza

    The lack of constitutional framework and governance in both the West Bank and Gaza prevents the reconstruction of the security sector in an efficient and democratic manner. This growing trend of authoritarianism threatens the ability to achieve Palestinian statehood.

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  • November 3, 2009 Washington, D.C. عربي
    “Fixing Broken Windows”: Security Sector Reform in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen

    Although important, development assistance aimed at reforming the security sectors in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen has achieved only limited results. The bulk of such aid has consisted of military training and equipment, which does nothing to ensure that security forces answer to legitimate civilian leaders.

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Source: http://carnegieendowment.org/experts/index.cfm?fa=expert_view&expert_id=412

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