Justice Ginsburg Praises Tunisian Women in Politics
On February 4th, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg paid an official visit to the American embassy in Tunis. Ginsburg encouraged women participation in politics but haled the presence of female membership in the Constituent Assembly as they represent 25 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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
House of Representatives Introduces Resolution Praising Tunisian Elections
Representatives Chris Murphy (D-CT) introduced a resolution with David Dreier (R-CA), Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and David Price (D-NC) applauding Tunisia's peaceful "Jasmine Revolution." The resolution praised Tunisia's peaceful "Jasmine Revolution" as "the first of several movements throughout the Middle East and North Africa and inspired democracy and human rights activist throughout the region and around the world." The elections on October 23, 2011 were considered "the first competitive, multi-party democratic election of the ...
January 25, 2012
Category: Congress, Democracy Promotion, Freedom, Government, Tunisia, Uncategorized, US foreign policy, US politics
Freedom in the World 2012 Report Issued By Freedom House
Freedom House released a special edition of its annual Freedom in the World Report 2012, which details the events and developments of the Arab Spring and the monumental impact the uprisings had across the world. In what Freedom ...
Reporters Without Borders Concerned About Tunisian Press Freedom
Reporters Without Borders sent a letter to the top leaders of Tunisia's newly elected government to express concern regarding recent violence against journalists and other developments that may conflict with the principles of free expression. Reporters Without Borders ...
Tunisian Protesting Unemployment Dies After Self-Immolation
A year after that the young street vendor Mohamed Bouazizi has set himself to fire in Tunisia , which insufflated a wave of pro-democracy revolts all over the Middle East, a Tunisian man, Ammar Gharsalla, died after his self-immolation. Ammar Gharsalla was part ...
Analysis: Role of Media During Arab Upheaval
The international press organization Reporters Without Borders (RWB) released a report on the critical role of the media during the Arab spring since November 2011. The report focused on Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria and Yemen.Reporters Without Borders noticed ...
January 10, 2012
Category: Bahrain, Egypt, Featured, Freedom, Human Rights, Middle Eastern Media, Syria, Technology, Tunisia
SNC Urges “Prompt Intervention” From Int’l Community
After yesterday's massacre of some 250 people in the Jabal Zawiyeh region of Idlib, Syria, the Syrian National Council (SNC) issued a press released demanding the "prompt intervention to stop the massacres, which have reached the level of ...
December 21, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Diplomacy, Featured, Freedom, Government, Human Rights, Political transition, Syria, Tunisia
Marzouki Calls for Tunisian Jews to Return
Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki conveyed that Tunisia’s Jews are full citizens and those that had left were welcome to return during a meeting with the country’s Grand Rabbi Haim Bittan. According to the Washington Post, Tunisia presently has a Jewish ...
Deal Reached on FY2012 Omnibus Appropriations Bill
The recently-passed omnibus package for Fiscal Year 2012 includes the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. For Morocco, foreign military financing will not be appropriated until a report is submitted about steps being taken to ensure various freedoms in ...
December 16, 2011
Category: Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Featured, Foreign Aid, Government, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, US foreign policy, Western Sahara, Yemen
POMED Notes: After the Arab Spring: Challenges for Credible Elections
On Wednesday, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems held a panel discussion to discuss the current spate of post-revolutionary elections that have occurred in places like Tunisia and Egypt, and elections that are being prepared for currently in Libya. The discussion also focused on the technical hurdles that numerous countries face when planning and carrying out credible elections. All discussants but one were members of IFES including Nicolas Kaczorowski, IFES ...
December 14, 2011
Category: DC Event Notes, Egypt, Elections, Event Notes, Foreign Aid, Freedom, Government, Libya, Political transition, Tunisia
Analysis: “Tunisians Voted for Jobs, Not Islam”
Writing for Foreign Policy, Michael Robbins and Mark Tessler argue that in spite of Ennahda's strong performance in Tunisia's recent elections, statistics indicate "that Ennahda's victory was not a clear call for a more religious political system," and ...
Tunisian Constituent Assembly Set to Elect President
Tunisia's Constituent Assembly will resume its scheduled activities on Tuesday, and choosing the next president is "at the crux of the agenda." A swearing-in ceremony will follow, where the current interim president Foued Mebazaa will be charged with the transmission of power to the ...
