• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Marc Lynch",
    "Nathan J. Brown",
    "Jocelyne Cesari",
    "Peter Mandaville"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [
    "Arab Awakening"
  ],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "menaTransitions",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "MEP",
  "programs": [
    "Middle East"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Middle East",
    "North Africa"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy",
    "Civil Society"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Arguing Islam After the Revival of Arab Politics: Book Discussion With Nathan Brown

Polarization in the Arab world may be the result of political systems that have opened themselves up to political debate, but not given healthy ways in which to translate political debate into political outcomes.

Link Copied
By Marc Lynch, Nathan J. Brown, Jocelyne Cesari, Peter Mandaville
Published on Nov 16, 2016
Program mobile hero image

Program

Middle East

The Middle East Program in Washington combines in-depth regional knowledge with incisive comparative analysis to provide deeply informed recommendations. With expertise in the Gulf, North Africa, Iran, and Israel/Palestine, we examine crosscutting themes of political, economic, and social change in both English and Arabic.

Learn More

Source: Project on Middle East Political Science

Speaking with the Project on Middle East Political Science, Carnegie’s Nathan J. Brown discussed his latest book, Arguing Islam after the Revival of Arab Politics, with Jocelyne Cesari, a senior fellow at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Peter Mandaville, a senior advisor to the special representative for religion and global affairs at the U.S. Department of State, and Carnegie’s Marc Lynch. He argued that “the polarization we see so deeply entrenched in the Arab world . . . may not be so much the disease as the symptom. That is to say, not so much the cause but is as an effect very much of political systems that have opened themselves up to political debate, but not given very healthy ways in which to translate political debate into political outcomes.”

This discussion was originally broadcast by the Project on Middle East Political Science.

About the Authors

Marc Lynch

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Marc Lynch was a nonresident senior fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program where his work focuses on the politics of the Arab world.

Nathan J. Brown

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program

Nathan J. Brown, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, is a distinguished scholar and author of nine books on Arab politics and governance, as well as editor of five books.

Jocelyne Cesari

Peter Mandaville

Moderator: Peter Mandaville is a professor of international affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government and co-director of the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University.

Authors

Marc Lynch
Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Marc Lynch
Nathan J. Brown
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
Nathan J. Brown
Jocelyne Cesari
Peter Mandaville

Moderator: Peter Mandaville is a professor of international affairs in the Schar School of Policy and Government and co-director of the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies at George Mason University.

Political ReformDemocracyCivil SocietyMiddle EastNorth Africa

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

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Leaving Russian-Speakers Without Representation Is a Risk for Latvia

    If the Russian-speaking community in Latvia cannot articulate their interests without being seen as disloyal, they could end up embracing a pro-Kremlin agenda.

      Sergejs Potapkins

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    Putin Has Been a Hindrance, Not a Help, to United Russia’s Election Campaign

    Russia’s ruling party would have benefited from Putin appearing as its distant patron, but as an active frontman imposing his views on the public, he has done nothing but harm both the party’s election campaign and the ruling system overall.

      Andrey Pertsev

  • Peter Magyar delivers his first official speech after he was sworn into the parliament as the new Prime Minister of Hungary under the TISZA party, during today's inaugural session of the Hungarian Parliament, in Budapest, Hungary on 9 May 2026.
    Article
    How Is Hungary’s New Government Doing?

    Despite myriad challenges and occasional stumbles, the new Hungarian government is moving ahead with energy and conviction to uproot years of illiberalism and corruption and rebuild Hungarian democracy.

      Thomas Carothers

  • Photo of black smoke rising from an Iranian oil facility after an airstrike.
    Article
    The Iran War’s Climate, Environmental, and Human Security Fallout

    Understanding the climatic pain points is necessary for policymakers hoping to minimize the war’s negative environmental consequences.

      • Alejandro Rodriguez
      • Joy Arkeh
      • Sarah Yerkes

      Alejandro Martin Rodriguez, Joy Arkeh, Sarah Yerkes

  • Commentary
    Diwan
    On AI, Cairo Plays China and the U.S. Off Against Each Other

    Huawei pushed hard to enter the Egyptian data centers market, until the Americans made a better offer.

      • Angie Omar

      Angie Omar

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.