Tahrir Forum

Lebanon’s Maronites and Le Pen

February 26, 2017

Lending support, however symbolic, to France's far right leader could tarnish the position of Lebanon's Christians, and by extension the country's image in the Arab World.

Some in the West Acknowledge Role in Arab Suffering

By Rami G. Khouri

February 22, 2017

A report released by the London-based Transparency International (TI) suggested Western powers should learn lesson from the past.

Tunisian Security Forces Rock the Vote

By Sharan Grewal

February 21, 2017

Granting Tunisian security forces suffrage provides police unions greater leverage over politicians, diminishing prospects for security sector reform.

The Wrongful Blackballing of Salam Fayyad

By Daniel C. Kurtzer

February 16, 2017

The Trump administration has blocked the former Palestinian prime minister from a new diplomatic post.

The Attack on Civil Society Outside Cairo

By Amy Austin Holmes

February 15, 2017

Since President El-Sisi has taken office, an unprecedented government crackdown has rendered large parts of the country without any independent human rights groups.

Iran’s Small Hand in Yemen

By Mareike Transfeld

February 15, 2017

Iranian support for the Houthis has been marginal and does not shape their decision making as much as local alliances and conflict dynamics do.

Trump’s Threat to Arab-Israeli Peace

By Ofer Zalzberg

February 13, 2017

U.S. policy threatens to undo not only the two-state solution, but stable relations with Israel's Arab neighbors.

Monday was a rough day for moral clarity in the Middle East, but our region’s terrible de-coupling of political acts from both moral standards and legal constraints or consequences has not happen suddenly.

Iran’s Banking Sector Reform

By Tamer Badawi

February 6, 2017

While the Rouhani administration tries to find the right balance of financial reforms, the banking sector challenges continue to hamper sustainable economic growth.

The Shark from Rafsanjan

By Holly Dagres

February 5, 2017

The death of Iran's former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani continues to affect the country's political scene.

Lebanon’s Short-Sighted Refugee Policy

By Benedetta Berti

February 2, 2017

Despite the inherent challenges of finding a long-term solution to Lebanon’s refugee crisis, its focus on short-term responses could worsen social and political cleavages and foster new forms of marginalization.

The American and Arab Uprisings Converge

By Rami G. Khouri

February 2, 2017

The single big difference between this American uprising and the Arab one six years ago to the week almost, is that Americans can use available means of political dissent and legal challenge and restraint that live in their political governance system. Arabs had and have no such avenues open to them.

Art of War in Egypt

By Maged Mandour

January 29, 2017

Egypt’s massive military purchases to build its air power may be aimed at repressing an anticipated urban uprising that resembles Syria’s.

Lopsided Struggle for Power in Morocco

By Maâti Monjib

January 26, 2017

The conflict over Morocco’s cabinet formation is a struggle for power between the PJD and the palace.

Will Trump and El-Sisi Avert a Proven Disaster?

By Rami G. Khouri

January 25, 2017

I think we should all be very worried about the tone and direction of Trump’s apparent views on how the United States should pursue its relations with Egypt.

Tunisia’s Fledgling Gulf Relations

By Youssef Cherif

January 18, 2017

Tensions persist between Tunisia and its former ally the UAE, but Tunisia hopes renewed ties could balance out its current dependence on Qatar.

Trump, Kushner, and the Anti-Establishment Circus

By Rami G. Khouri

January 11, 2017

The Jared Kushner appointment is controversial and even shocking to many, but to Donald Trump it is the epitome and the heart of what he and America are all about.

Terrorism and Resistance

By Rami G. Khouri

December 23, 2016

The wave of terrorist attacks in 2016 has clear roots in the violence of military-driven foreign policies.

The Fall of Aleppo

By Nabeel Khoury

December 19, 2016

Syrian rebels are unlikely to rebound from defeat anytime soon, while Iran and Russia stand to gain immensely.

Aleppo Shakes Arab World’s Foundations

By Rami G. Khouri

December 16, 2016

Western impotence in Aleppo and the Syrian civil war, and the approaching victory of the Russian-Iranian alliance, is another sign of sweeping changes in the region's political order.

Tahrir Forum

A Blog on Middle East Transformation

Lebanon’s Maronites and Le Pen

Some in the West Acknowledge Role in Arab Suffering

Tunisian Security Forces Rock the Vote

The Wrongful Blackballing of Salam Fayyad

The Attack on Civil Society Outside Cairo

Iran’s Small Hand in Yemen

Trump’s Threat to Arab-Israeli Peace

Why Our behavior Matters

Iran’s Banking Sector Reform

The Shark from Rafsanjan

Lebanon’s Short-Sighted Refugee Policy

The American and Arab Uprisings Converge

Art of War in Egypt

Lopsided Struggle for Power in Morocco

Will Trump and El-Sisi Avert a Proven Disaster?

Tunisia’s Fledgling Gulf Relations

Trump, Kushner, and the Anti-Establishment Circus

Terrorism and Resistance

The Fall of Aleppo

Aleppo Shakes Arab World’s Foundations