The United States and its Arab partners overemphasize political Islam to the detriment of other anti-authoritarian trends in the Arab world. The Taliban’s return in Afghanistan shouldn’t further entrench this belief.

Tunisia’s transition to democracy has not prevented a wave of violent extremism. Radical jihadist ideas and socioeconomic frustrations are still present in society and must be tackled.

Parliament has moved on church-building in Egypt, but it is unlikely to be enough.

For years, there has been debate on the extent to which Islam is compatible with the principles of democracy. Recently, the debate has shifted to a more productive question: when do religious actors decide to support a democratic transition process?

Five years after popular protests toppled the regime of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia continues its transition toward democracy and has established a political dialogue that has been recognized by the international community.

Political developments in the Arab region have led to the strengthening of ethnic, religious, or racial identities at the expense of citizenship, and in some countries to armed confrontation. Is a state built on the principle of citizenship still possible?

Peaceful Salafi political parties are losing strength in Egypt and Tunisia while the popularity of Salafi-jihadi movements aiming to build an Islamic state by force is increasing.

The Tunisian government and other political and religious actors need to work together on a de-radicalization strategy that brings reform to both the political and the religious spheres.

If the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood wants to maintain its coherence, the leadership has to balance the concerns of the popular base with the ways of the old guard.

Five years after the outbreak of the Arab Spring, the uprisings have failed to fulfill the people’s aspirations for democracy, freedom, and social justice.