Tahrir Forum

Iran’s Banking Sector Reform

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

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.

Russia in Libya, A Driver for Escalation?

By Mattia Toaldo and Tarek Megerisi

December 11, 2016

Russia’s support for Khalifa Haftar in the name of countering terrorism could instead escalate Libya’s conflict and undermine the UN-sponsored political process.

Terror Will Be a Blight on the Obama Legacy

By Rami G. Khouri

December 11, 2016

This is a bitter legacy for the past three American administrations and for all their international partners in inhuman, uncaring policies that have wrecked the lives and futures of hundreds of millions of people.

The Carthage Agreement Under Scrutiny

By Julius Dihstelhoff and Katrin Sold

November 30, 2016

Tunisia’s national unity government symbolizes political elites’ willingness to cooperate, but their fragile compromise poses risks to the democratic process.

Tunisia’s Unsteady Progress

By Francis Ghilès

November 24, 2016

Economic challenges threaten the country’s transition to democracy and constitutional government.

Battle Between Decency and Darkness

By Rami G. Khouri

November 23, 2016

The antidote to their vulgarity is for those groups they target and all other decent Americans to join forces in a great movement.

Why the Left Flopped in Morocco’s Elections

By Imad Stitou

November 23, 2016

Campaign mismanagement was a key reason for the failure of the Federation of the Democratic Left in Morocco’s elections.

Saudia Arabia and the Oil Pricing Wars of the Middle East

By Hadi Fathallah

November 20, 2016

Regional competition and the lack of a cooperation strategy with its neighbors are compounding Saudi Arabia’s inability to act as an oil price setter.