Turkey Calls for Formation of a Coalition to End Violence in Syria
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu called for an international coalition to be formed in order to stop Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s deadly crackdown from escalating any further. Davutoglu stressed that “clear and decisive statements” needed to be delivered to the Syrian regime from the broader international community. Davutoglu is scheduled to meet with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Washington to discuss alternative measures. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met with ...
Arab Uprising Impact’s on Press Freedom
In its 10th annual press freedom index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) assessed the evolution of press and media freedom after one year of turmoil in the Arab world. RWB noted "The transitions that have begun are not necessarily leading towards more ...
Bahrain Shuts Out Media as Anniversary Approaches
Bahrain has denied visas for multiple journalists who requested to be in the country for the February 14 anniversary of the uprisings. Denied media outlets include the New York Times, BBC, Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and Al Jazeera. Several of the correspondents were vocal on ...
February 8, 2012
Category: Bahrain, Featured, Freedom, Government, Human Rights, Journalism, US foreign policy
Anniversary Approaches Bahrain as a “Gathering Storm”
On Monday, Human Rights First released the report Bahrain: The Gathering Storm, detailing the deterioration situation in Bahrain. With the escalating attacks against civilians, continued reports of torture in custody, and Bahrain government denying entry for human rights observers, the report anticipates further unrest. February 14 marks the year anniversary of protests in Bahrain, and Brian Dooley, the author of the report, predicted the day to be filled with "large rallies expected to be mounted by ...
Members of Congress Oppose U.S. Military Sale to Bahrain
Twenty-one members of Congress co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to "express our opposition to the Adminstration's decision to move forward with the sale of a limited number of military items and services to Bahrain.” The members "believe that any such ...
Report: The Militia Challenge in Libya
In a report released in mid-December, 2011, the International Crisis Group analyzes the "significant problem" posed by militias in Libya after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. The report recommends that Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) work with local authorities ...
February 7, 2012
Category: Democracy Promotion, Elections, Featured, Government, Libya, Military, Political transition
Does Economic Growth Affect Democratic Transition?
American political scientist Jay Ulfelder challenged the so-called “cardinal principle of empirical democratic theory” alleged by democratization scholar Larry Diamond. Diamond proposed that “hard economic times” translate to “hard times for democracy.” Ulfelder’s recent study concluded that this might not be the case necessarily. Ulfelder used the findings of his study to dispel complaints from senior officials in Egypt, warning that cutting U.S. aid to Egypt at this time would “transform a peaceful revolution ...
After Veto, Countries Seek New Solutions for Syria
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has made statements about working toward an end to the violence in Syria after visit to Damascus, saying "President Bashar al-Assad is committed to ending all violence in his country." Despite Russia's veto of the ...
Yemen Prepares for Presidential Elections
Yemen is preparing for the February 21st Presidential elections part of the agreement proposed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (G.C.C.) that ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and planned the transfer of power. The country begun a campaign to encourage Yemenis to vote for the ...
February 7, 2012
Category: al-Qaeda, Elections 2012, Featured, Gulf Cooperation Council, Political transition, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
U.S.-Led Sanctions Begin in Iran
Yesterday, President Barack Obama's executive order, implementing a new round of sanctions against Iran, took effect. Late last year, Congress passed a bill seeking to intensify pressure on Iran's economy, including the central bank, and allowing US institutions ...
POMED Notes: The Syrian Crisis: Internal Dynamics and International Policy
On Monday, The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) hosted a discussion concerning the Syrian Crisis in light of the recent failure of the draft resolution by U.N. Security Council (UNSC). The panel featured Senior Fellow for Regional Security at IISS Emile Hokayem, Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy Dana Allen, and Senior Fellow for Land Warfare Brigadier Ben Barry. The discussion was chaired by Adam Ward, Director of Studies ...
February 6, 2012
Category: Event Notes, Events, Gulf Cooperation Council, Syria, UN Security Council
February 6, 2012
Category: Congress, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Foreign Aid, Muslim Brotherhood, Political transition
Violence in Homs, Politicians Respond
Today, Syrian forces assaulted the city of Homs, killing 50 people. With more than 200 people killed over the weekend one activist called this "the most violent bombardment in recent days." Catherine al-Talli, a member in the Syrian National Council, said the 50 killed were "mostly civilians" and that "the regime is acting as if it were immune to international intervention and has a free hand to use violence against ...
A Week of Violence in the Moroccan City of Taza
Last week, in the northeastern city of Taza, local media reported clashes between demonstrators and security forces. The tensions started on January the 4th, when students organized protests to claim social and economic grievances. However, the demonstrations turned into clashes. On Wedensday, February 1st, ...
Rival Palestinian Movements Reach Agreement
On Monday, leaders of the rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas announced an end to the political stalemates which has divided the two movements in the past. The agreement announced from Doha, Qatar called for the formation of a unity governemnt led "initially" by Western-backed Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the subsequent election of a cabinet made up of independent technocrats. Leader of the Hamas movement Khaled Meshaal said that the Palestinians and Hamas "were happy with ...
Egypt Brings Charges to NGO Workers
Egypt announced it is prosecuting 43 people, including 19 Americans, in criminal court on charges of illegal foreign funding. The government has accused the NGOs of providing funds to opposition protestors, and despite a promise that equipment would ...
Russia and China Veto Causes International Outrage
Russia and China vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution that condemned the ongoing violence in Syria and supported the Arab League's plan to end the crackdown. The vote, which shortly followed the massacre in Homs that
February 5, 2012
Category: Civil War, Featured, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Syria, UN Security Council
Bahrain Tense as Anniversary Approaches
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights released an update about the health of the activists and prisoners who are now approaching their sixth day of the hunger strike. Human Rights Defender AbdulHadi Al Khawaja was hospitalized on the second day ...
‘Massacre’ in Homs While U.N. Risks Russia Veto
On the day citizens were commemorating the 1982 Hama massacre, Assad's forces cracked down on the city of Homs, killing an estimated 220 people and injuring hundreds more. The forces shelled the residential areas of the city with tanks, ...
Ashton Calls for ‘Supporting the Arab Awakening’
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton published in the New York Times a piece calling for the support of the "emerging democracies" in the Arab world. Ashton reckoned that democracy can be "'turbulent ...
February 3, 2012
Category: Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Jordan, Libya, Political transition, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen