The Tipping Point: Transitions to Democracy in the Middle East and Latin America
The Kellogg Institute for International Studies in association with the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies released a report, “Transitions to Democracy and the Arab Spring: Does Latin America Hold Lessons for the Middle East,” that examines how insights from Latin America’s democratization experience may be relevant for the Middle East today. The symposium was divided into two panels: the first explored the domestic challenges to democratization in Latin America ...
February 8, 2012
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Category: Bahrain, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Gulf, Iran, Islam and Democracy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Political transition, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, UAE, US foreign policy, Yemen
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 ...
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 ...
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
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 ...
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
‘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
POMED Notes: Iran and Syria: A Tale of Two Crises
On Thursday, The Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a panel discussing the ongoing crises in Syria and Iran, the potential for escalation, and America’s role in the situation. Panelists included Saban Senior Fellows Robert Moran and Suzanne Maloney, and next generation fellow from The Washington Institute for Near East Policy and Syria Expert Andrew Tabler. Brookings Senior Fellow and Director of the Saban Center Kenneth Pollack ...
Revised U.N. Draft Removes Delegation of Power
U.N. Security Council may vote as early as Friday as intense negotiations take place at the U.N. Headquarters in New York. The U.S. and its Arab and European allies have reportedly made concessions concerning the text of the draft in exchange for a commitment from Russia to allow the adoption of the resolution. Western leaders discussed President Bashar Al-Assad's exile from Syria in hopes of ending the bloody conflict. Reportedly, ...
U.N.S.C. and Russia: Still Trying to Compromise
Some diplomats reported that progress was made at the United Nations Security Council (U.N.S.C.) meeting that reviewed a draft resolution to resolve the Syria crisis. The British envoy Mark Lyall Grant, though cognizant that there is still work that needs ...
Pressure Amounts on Russia at the U.N.
On Tuesday, world leaders met at the U.N. Security Council to discuss a draft resolution proposed by Morocco calling for President Bashar Al-Assad to relinquish power beginning the transition to a democracy representative of the Syrian people. Western leaders arrived intent on convincing veto-yielding Russia, who opposes the current draft revolution, of approving an Arab led initiative which aims for the formation of a unity government followed by elections. In her remarks, Secretary of State Hillary ...
Britain Warns Russia Against Blocking Security Council Vote
On Tuesday, the U.N. Security Council will take up a draft resolution calling on Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to step down and transfer power. The meeting will take place amid increasing violence which brought an end to the Arab League observation mission over the weekend. Syrian opposition, which claims to have 15,000 constituents, have been increasingly involved in violent clashes as Syrian authorities attempt to re-take control of the suburbs surrounding Damascus. Arab ...
Escalating Violence in Syria
The Syrian military launched an offensive attack in the surrounding suburbs of Damascus to attempt to regain control. Five civilians were killed on Sunday, raising the death toll to 17 in this most recent attack, and sending many ...
January 29, 2012
Category: Arab League, Featured, Political transition, Protests, Syria, UN Security Council
U.N. Gives Syria 15 Days to Comply
There is a new resolution being discussed in the U.N. Security Council that "calls on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to hand over power to his deputy and says additional measures would be taken if he doesn't comply within 15 days." ...
January 28, 2012
Category: Arab League, Featured, Political transition, Protests, Syria, UN Security Council
January 27, 2012
Category: Civil War, Featured, Freedom, Military, Protests, Syria, UN Security Council, Uncategorized
POMED Notes: Next Generation Peacebuilding and Social Change in the Arab World
On Wednesday, the U.S. Institute of Peace hosted an event highlighting the success of “Salam Shabab,” an Iraqi TV show that just premiered its first season. A screening of the final episode of the show was then followed by a brief lecture by Marsha Williams, President at Harvest Research Group and then a panel discussion with Brett Pierce, Co-Executive Producer and former Sesame Workshop Producer, Hussam Hadi, Producer of Salam Shabab, and ...
Russia Continues to Resist UN Sanctions on Syria
Russian authorities said on Wednesday they would be open to "constructive proposals" concerning proposed U.N. sanctions and have since offered to host peace talks in Moscow. Russia continues to oppose "any U.N. resolution requiring all nations to abide by unilateral sanctions imposed by the west." Sanctions submitted to the U.N. Security Council last month by the West were greeted by Russia as "one sided." Russia blames both the Syrian government and the opposition for violence, and therefore ...
Nations Seek Further Action Against Syria
Recent reports said, "a group of Western and Arab nations are seeking the expulsion of Syria from the U.N. cultural agency's human rights committee." The U.N. Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) elected Syria to two panels in November, including one ...
