Q&A
- +1
Amr Hamzawy, Andrew Leber, Eric Lob, …
{
"authors": [
"Marwan Muasher"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center"
],
"collections": [
"Arab Awakening"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"programAffiliation": "MEP",
"programs": [
"Middle East"
],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Middle East",
"North Africa",
"Egypt",
"Gulf",
"Levant",
"Maghreb"
],
"topics": [
"Political Reform"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
Arab Spring or Middle East Chaos?
The age of ideology in the Arab world is drawing to a close.
Published on Jun 29, 2014
Source: Aspen Institute
Speaking on a panel discussion at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Carnegie’s Marwan Muasher joined Anne-Marie Slaughter, Steve Clemons, and George Mitchell to discuss the situation in Syria, Iraq, and the broader Middle East. Muasher argued that the age of ideology in the Arab world is coming to a close and that those who are able to show results will succeed. “We cannot talk about the region in terms of ethnic purity or religious purity,” he said. “If we are to talk about a Middle East that is prosperous and stable, we have to talk about pluralism and inclusion, not exclusion, exclusionist policies, or exclusionist countries.”
Muasher argued that that Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) has been able to secure military victories because it’s operating in an environment that felt marginalized. “If we have a political process in which everybody feels included, ISIS will be far less effective than they are today.”
“The Arab world cannot remain hostage to political elites who are governing through a system without any checks and balances or to the radical Islamists who are threatening the cultural and political diversity of society,” he contended. “Those who want a pluralistic discourse have to work for one.”
About the Author
Marwan Muasher
Vice President for Studies
Marwan Muasher is vice president for studies at Carnegie, where he oversees research in Washington and Beirut on the Middle East. Muasher served as foreign minister (2002–2004) and deputy prime minister (2004–2005) of Jordan, and his career has spanned the areas of diplomacy, development, civil society, and communications.
- The Myriad Problems With the Iran Ceasefire
- The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf TiesCommentary
Marwan Muasher
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Snubbed by United Russia as Elections Loom, Medvedev Looks Condemned to Eternal ObscurityCommentary
Medvedev’s defeat in the battle for the position of speaker appears to signal that the long process of his marginalization in Russian politics has passed the point of no return.
Andrey Pertsev
- A New Patrimonialism is Undermining Syria’s TransitionCommentary
Syria's transition promised a fresh start. But are old habits of power making a comeback? This analysis looks at the warning signs and what it will take to build a more accountable state.
Sima Beitinjaneh
- In the Middle East and North Africa, America and China Converge More Than They DivergeArticle
Middle powers in the region will keep hedging between Washington and Beijing. It’s in the great powers’ interests to play along.
Amr Hamzawy, Kathryn Selfe
- The West’s Climate Colonialism in the Greater Middle EastCommentary
There is a disturbing structural parallel between the old global energy economy and the new green transition.
Angie Omar
- New Syria, Old Lebanon: Absence of the StateCommentary
Any move by the United States to make good on Trump’s suggestion that Washington persuade Damascus to confront Hezbollah militarily would have catastrophic consequences.
Kheder Khaddour
