A major shift is taking place in the way decision-makers in the U.S. and major European countries view the political role of Islamic movements in the Arab world and also in the way they regard the perils such movements pose for Western interests.
Reform is a politically charged issue in the Middle East. Carnegie experts force us to recognize the reality of conflicting interests and the limitations of external actors to bring about political reform, while drawing lessons on how to make international democracy promotion more effective.
Increasing pressure from the UN Security Council on Iran's nuclear program, while making clear the benefits to Iran of engaging in negotiations, is the only effective strategy to resolving the Iran nuclear dispute diplomatically.
Lebanon is threatening to come undone in the coming days. The international community, and particularly the United States, need to focus urgently on Lebanon. The crisis in Lebanon deserves the most urgent and intense attention at the highest international political levels
The critical moments of the general congress of Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) came when the delegates voted on amendments to the party’s bylaws and on new leadership bodies. The votes served as evidence that the NDP has been sufussed with supporters of Gamal Mubarak and the modernizing agenda he represents.
Recently the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood issued a draft of its first ever political party platform, making major strides toward a comprehensive public policy program espousing freedom of expression and pluralistic politics - ideals that were previously immaterial to Islamist discourse in Egypt. While the Brotherhood remains a movement without a political party - barred by the Egyptian government and a constitutional prohibition against parties based on religious preferences - the movement's new party platform gives policymakers and experts plenty of reason to take notice.
The Muslim Brotherhood's draft party platform sends mixed signals about the movement's political views and positions. Although it has already been widely circulated, the document does not yet have final approval from the movement's guidance bureau.
The United States must alter its democracy promotion strategy, which has been unconstructive and counterproductive, and make clear that it has no intention of undermining Iran's territorial integrity. A move away from democracy promotion, however, should not signal indifference to human rights abuses.