Publications
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Op-Eds/Articles
The Importance of Power-Sharing in Arab States: Lessons from Switzerland?
A national coalition government, such as the one in Switzerland, could allow the Arab world to include a wide cross-section of parties and groups in a power-sharing government that would increase the sense of security and participation for all.
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Web Commentary
Hope for Direct Talks?
With little chance for a breakthrough in Israeli–Palestinian direct talks, the best hope for the Middle East is a regional approach that secures peace between Israel and the entire Arab world.
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Op-Eds/Articles
By Overthrowing Regional Order, US Unleashed a Genie
The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq profoundly changed the politics of the Middle East, leading to an increase in Sunni-Shiite tension across the region and providing an opportunity for both Iran and Turkey to spread their influence and take a stronger role in regional relations.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Turkey's Silent Crisis
Rising tensions between the Turkish government and the country’s Kurdish minority influence every aspect of political and cultural life in the country and threaten U.S. interests in the entire region.
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TV/Radio Broadcast
Go Regional
A regional approach to the conflict between Israel and Palestine would ensure that all parties involved have the ability to make painful compromises and still achieve a viable agreement.
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Web Commentary
Palestinian-Israeli Direct Talks: The Case for a Regional Approach
While the conditions necessary for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement do not exist today and further negotiations between the two parties are unlikely to change the situation, a regional settlement is both possible and desirable for both sides.
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Op-Eds/Articles
5 Minutes With Benjamin Netanyahu
In considering Israel’s response to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Prime Minister Netanyahu must set aside personal animus and consider the nature of Iranian politics and the character of the regime in Tehran.
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Op-Eds/Articles
How Arab Governments Resist the Trend to Democracy
The current regimes in the Arab world are resisting democratic change because of firm security measures maintaining the status quo and ineffective, incapable, and insular opposition movements.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Don't Cut Off Lebanon's Aid
Cutting aid to the Lebanese army is counter to U.S. interests and could result in a weakening of the Lebanese government and military, empower Hezbollah and strengthen Syrian and Iranian influence in Lebanon.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Attacking Iran: The Last Thing the U.S. Administration Wants to Do
Aside from the improbability and imprudence of a U.S. attack on Iran, it would also be a major political misstep for the Obama administration.
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Web Commentary
Relative Calm Before a Stormy Lebanese Fall
The impending release of the findings of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and Hezbollah’s allegation of Israeli involvement in the 2005 assassination of Rafic Hariri threaten to ignite a political crisis and deepen sectarian fissures in Lebanon.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Between Berlin and Beirut
This article discusses xenophobic attitudes in the Arab world, which were evident throughout the celebration of the results achieved by the German national team at the World Cup. It also calls for an honest self assessment and for a serious review of the wrong readings of the other.
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Web Commentary
A Calming But Indecisive Summit in Lebanon
The visit of Saudi King Abdullah and Syrian President al-Assad to Lebanon was a rare display of cooperation, but it yielded no real progress on a compromise over the upcoming results of the special tribunal, an issue that threatens to tear Lebanon apart.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Turkey-Egypt Relations
While areas of cooperation between Egypt and Turkey are numerous, Egypt has not entirely reconciled itself to Ankara’s larger ambitions in the Middle East.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Dead on Arrival? The Limited Impact of the Muslim Brotherhood's Political Participation
Despite the Muslim Brotherhood's original reluctance to embrace political participation, the organization’s parliamentary representation has grown exponentially in recent assemblies, and its participation in politics has grown in tandem.
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Op-Eds/Articles
Morocco's Economic Model Succeeds Where Others Fail
Morocco has made impressive headway reducing poverty over the last decade. It remains far from a perfect model, but policy makers in other Arab countries can learn from its success.
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Web Commentary
Leaving Iraq?
After seven years, the United States is in the final stages of exiting Iraq. Only 50,000 U.S. troops will remain by the end of August, but the country is far from stable as political squabbling keeps the country gridlocked, the economy is in shambles and violence is once again rising.
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Web Commentary
Do Arab States Assist or Obstruct Development?
Arab countries have made progress since the mid-20th century in a number of basic development goals; however, entrenched authoritarianism has obstructed sustained human development and domestic pressure for reform has been effectively muzzled by incumbent regimes.
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TV/Radio Broadcast
U.S. Senate Resolution Urges Political Change in Egypt
A recent U.S. Senate resolution that addresses human rights and civil liberties in Egypt is meant to pressure the regime ahead of upcoming elections, but it is symbolic and not binding.
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Carnegie Paper
The Arab State: Assisting or Obstructing Development?
Although full democracy in the Arab world remains a distant goal, broader participation in the political process, with a marked effect on human development, can be achieved.