Tahrir Forum

One Step Forward for Lebanon’s Elections

July 13, 2017

While the new Lebanese electoral law introduces a few reforms, it entrenches sectarianism and favors big parties and established politicians.

U.S. Role in Resolving Qatar Crisis Grows

By Rami G. Khouri

July 13, 2017

All parties in the Qatar crisis are learning important lessons about the business of statecraft, which will benefit them all in the long run.

Understanding Sectarianism in the Middle East

By Ussama Makdisi

July 12, 2017

Sectarian violence in the Arab and Muslim worlds is exacerbated by the role foreign powers play in the region, as well as local power rivalries.

Changing Criminal Policies

By Rami G. Khouri

June 21, 2017

The current group of global leaders seem only able to perpetuate destructive, often criminal, public and private policies that generate the fear, hate, and violence they seem unable to understand or counter.

Michel Aoun’s Double Game

By Bachir El Khoury

June 21, 2017

Lebanon’s president navigates the treacherous waters of the cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

1967 War’s Real Legacy in Egypt

By Tarek Osman

June 18, 2017

The defeat in the 1967 war with Israel deeply altered Egypt’s position in the Arab World.

Arab World’s Sorry State

By Nabeel Khoury

June 15, 2017

The Qatar crisis reflects a deeper rot.

Final Battle for the Arab World

By Rami G. Khouri

June 14, 2017

It might be useful to step back from examining any one conflict and instead simply try to identify larger historical and political patterns that help us understand the players and the issues at stake.

What Is Qatar’s Real Threat to Saudi Arabia?

By Rami G. Khouri

June 7, 2017

Citizens’ freedom, rights, justice, and dignity seem to be the threats that frighten Saudi Arabian and other Arab autocrats, and these must be minimized at any cost, it seems.

The Battle over Al-Azhar

By Mariam Ghanem and Nathan Brown

June 6, 2017

The effort to curb the Islamic institution’s autonomy has stalled, for now.

A Decisive Year for Iraqi Kurds

By Mohammed A. Salih

June 5, 2017

The risks are high, but an independent Kurdish state is within reach of a fractious leadership.

Three New Trends in Iran’s Politics

By Shireen T. Hunter

May 31, 2017

The country’s ruling establishment, guardians of the 1979 Islamic revolution, confront a changing society.

Empty Promises in Riyadh

By Nabeel Khoury

May 29, 2017

The Trump administration pageant moves to the Middle East.

Turkey’s Turn toward Russia

By Pinar Tank

May 24, 2017

Despite tensions over Syria, Turkey is increasingly turning to Russia to secure its foreign and domestic policy needs.

Trump’s Middle East Fantasies

By Rami G. Khouri

May 17, 2017

Based on the outlines of Trump’s apparent goals, all his goals are rehashed versions of past policy failures.

Five Ghosts That Haunt the Arab World

By Rami G. Khouri

May 11, 2017

To understand the messy state of the Middle East today, look toward its past.

Saudi Arabia’s Post-Oil Future

By Hala Al-Dosari

May 9, 2017

The story behind Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdelaziz Al-Saud’s vision to take the country into the future

Iran Is a Paper Tiger

By Shireen T. Hunter

May 8, 2017

From Riyadh to Washington, international leaders overestimate the power of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Will Israel Reciprocate Hamas’ Gesture towards Peaceful Coexistence?

By Rami G. Khouri

May 3, 2017

Israel has not offered any such signals, and remains defiant of the international consensus of the UN Security Council that its colonial settlements must end and it must share Jerusalem.

Convergent Authoritarianisms in Egypt and Turkey

By Jannis Grimm

May 2, 2017

After Turkey’s constitutional referendum, it is increasingly apparent that its government is exhibiting similar authoritarian tendencies to Egypt since 2013.

Tahrir Forum

A Blog on Middle East Transformation