Understanding Arab Political Reality: One Lens Is Not Enough

{
  "authors": [
    "Amr Hamzawy"
  ],
  "type": "other",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "democracy",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "DCG",
  "programs": [
    "Democracy, Conflict, and Governance",
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "North Africa",
    "Egypt",
    "Lebanon",
    "Palestine"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy"
  ]
}

Other

Understanding Arab Political Reality: One Lens Is Not Enough

Mass demonstrations in Lebanon, joint protest rallies of Egyptian Islamists and liberals against the Mubarak regime in Egypt, and municipal elections in Saudi Arabia are just as much features of the current situation as are cease-fire declarations by Palestinian resistance movements and multiparty negotiations for forming a coalition government in Iraq.

By Amr Hamzawy

Published on Apr 6, 2005

We are witnessing unusual scenes in the Middle East. Mass demonstrations in Lebanon, joint protest rallies of Egyptian Islamists and liberals against the Mubarak regime in Egypt, and municipal elections in Saudi Arabia are just as much features of the current situation as are cease-fire declarations by Palestinian resistance movements and multiparty negotiations for forming a coalition government in Iraq.

About the Author
Amr Hamzawy is a senior associate at the Carnegie Endowment, and a noted Egyptian political scientist who previously taught at Cairo University and the Free University of Berlin. His research interests include the changing dynamics of political participation and the prospects of democratic transformation in the Arab world, with special attention both to Egypt and the Gulf countries.

About the Author

Amr Hamzawy

Director, Middle East Program

Amr Hamzawy is a senior fellow and the director of the Carnegie Middle East Program. His research and writings focus on governance in the Middle East and North Africa, social vulnerability, and the different roles of governments and civil societies in the region.

Recent Work

Commentary
Iran Is Pushing Its Neighbors Toward the United States
- Amr Hamzawy
Paper
U.S. Peace Mediation in the Middle East: Lessons for the Gaza Peace Plan
- Amr Hamzawy, Sarah Yerkes, Kathryn Selfe

Political Reform Democracy Middle East North Africa Egypt Lebanon Palestine

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 Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center

Commentary
Diwan
Syria Skirts the Conflict With Iran
In an interview, Kheder Khaddour explains that Damascus is trying to stabilize its borders, but avoiding war isn’t guaranteed.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
An Extension Under Fire
The decision of Lebanon’s parliament may look exceptional, but in reality it is not.
Issam Kayssi
Commentary
Diwan
Firepower Against Willpower
In an interview, Naysan Rafati assesses the first week that followed the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran.
Michael Young
Commentary
Diwan
What Is Israel’s Plan in Lebanon?
At heart, to impose unconditional surrender on Hezbollah and uproot the party among its coreligionists.
Yezid Sayigh
Commentary
Emissary
Bombing Campaigns Do Not Bring About Democracy. Nor Does Regime Change Without a Plan.
Just look at Iraq in 1991.
Marwan Muasher

Understanding Arab Political Reality: One Lens Is Not Enough