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The most challenging part of the change to civilian government in Egypt lies ahead—the country's road to democracy is far from guaranteed.
As the tenth anniversary of the Arab Peace Initiative approaches, Israel's concern that a more hostile neighborhood is emerging risks becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy if the country does not try to find a serious resolution to the conflict.
The strongest argument against an attack on Iran is that while it may set back Tehran's nuclear clock by two to three years, it would also likely resuscitate the fortunes of a deeply unpopular Iranian regime, prolonging its shelf life by another decade or generation.
While new allegations call the peaceful intentions of Iran’s nuclear program into greater question, China and Russia are unlikely to agree to sanctions they view as crippling.
The United States should remain on the sidelines as Arab countries devise new constitutions. While Washington can provide technical assistance if requested, it should allow constitution writing in the Arab world to be an indigenous process.
Unless the Islamists and liberals can find a way to coexist in Egyptian politics, Egypt risks falling into a new authoritarianism, with the military and the liberals undermining the democratic process to prevent Islamist participation.
Countries in transition have no choice but to open up their political system. Excluding and marginalizing Islamists out of fear will only strengthen their popular appeal.
In order to improve security and stability in Yemen, U.S. policy should focus on addressing the systemic sources of instability in the country.
By holding largely peaceful elections just ten months after the fall of its long-time dictator, the country credited with sparking the waves of protest that swept the Arab world is serving as an example to the rest of the region.
While recent U.S. drone strikes in Yemen have been successful, Washington can’t rely on a remote control to defeat terrorism. Improving governance and the lives of Yemenis will do more to reduce violence than drones ever will.