Tahrir Forum

Saudi-Iran Conflict Is Not America’s Fault

February 11, 2016

Souring relations between Tehran and Riyadh, never cozy, threaten American efforts at diplomacy.

After Ramadi, Challenges Remain for Abadi

February 10, 2016

Despite the small but important military victory in Ramadi, Iraqi forces still face significant challenges fighting the Islamic State in Anbar and reining in Shia militias in Diyala and Basra.

Why Syria Peace Talks Are Doomed

By Nabeel Khoury

February 7, 2016

The Damascus regime’s military offensive could ruin already slim chances for a negotiated peace in Syria. A divided opposition and rival great powers further complicate a tricky diplomatic initiative.

Libya’s Political Stalemate

By Mattia Toaldo

February 6, 2016

Despite apparent progress toward a power-sharing agreement, Libya’s governing bodies still face problems of neutrality and representation that will hamper their ability to govern effectively.

Intriguing Opportunity and Dangers of Ground Forces in Syria

By Rami G. Khouri

February 6, 2016

This week’s most intriguing sign of things to come was the official announcement that Saudi Arabia is willing to provide ground forces to fight “Islamic State” (ISIS) in Syria.

How Can a Two-State Solution Calm Our Troubled Region?

By Rami G. Khouri

February 5, 2016

“As the wider Middle East continues to be gripped by a relentless wave of extremist terror, Israelis and Palestinians have an opportunity to restore hope to a region torn apart by intolerance and cruelty.” —Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary-General

Egypt’s Protests by the Numbers

By Amy Austin Holmes and Hussein Baoumi

January 31, 2016

Despite unprecedented repression and media censorship, Sisi has faced on average five times as many protests as Mubarak did between 2008 and 2010.

Fear Trumps Facts in This U.S. Presidential Year

By Rami G. Khouri

January 30, 2016

Fear trumps fact in American presidential primaries. This is mostly domestic emotional exhibitionism at this stage, and not genuine foreign policy-making, so we should just enjoy the show and not worry about the nuttiness.

On January 25, We Recall Beloved Egypt, and Ourselves

By Rami G. Khouri

January 27, 2016

January 25 is probably the most meaningful moment to recall the Arab uprisings of 2011, because it captures the dynamics within Egypt that ultimately shape sentiments and events across much of the Arab World. Egypt remains at once both iconic and foundational to the Arab World, in so many realms—politics, economy, culture, sports, religion, secularism, civil society, the role of the military, and, most importantly, citizen rights and the exercise of power in the public sphere. » Read more about: On January 25, We Recall Beloved Egypt, and Ourselves »

My Search for Tahrir Square

By Amr Kotb

January 24, 2016

Disillusionment with the January 25 revolution and what followed might be the first step towards a better, and more democratic, Egypt.

Full Dangers of Refugees and Migrants Are within Us

By Rami G. Khouri

January 23, 2016

How should we view and respond to the growing flow of refugees and migrants from, within, and beyond the Middle East? Is this mainly a temporary humanitarian challenge?

Egypt’s Revolution, Five Years On

By Wael Eskandar

January 23, 2016

More than ever before, it’s important to understand what we mean when we talk about the January 25 revolution.

Egypt’s Natural Gas Crisis

By Brendan Meighan

January 22, 2016

Egypt’s temporary relief from its ongoing gas crisis is the result of a lull in demand, not an improvement in industry outlook.

Finally, a Sensible—but Difficult—Path to Reduce Terrorism

By Rami G. Khouri

January 20, 2016

The main difference between the US and UN approaches is that the UN correctly focuses on addressing the underlying drivers of violent extremism and terrorism, while the US government tends to downplay or ignore those critical underlying causes.

Recalibrating Morocco’s Approach to Salafism

By Salim Hmimnat

January 17, 2016

Recognizing the political shortcomings of marginalizing Salafists, Moroccan decision-makers are making efforts to reconcile Salafism with the Sufi character of religious institutions.

2011-2016: Arab Dashed Hopes, Opened Eyes

By Rami G. Khouri

January 13, 2016

Today as then, we have no idea how disgruntled citizens will transform their fears into political acts. But we probably do know that they will do this, so for stubborn Arab regimes, this is a much more dangerous citizenry than the one of 2011.

Kurds as Peacemakers in the Middle East

By David Romano and Mehmet Gurses

January 8, 2016

Supporting Kurdish groups in Syria could empower them to play a role in resolving regional conflicts, not just in Syria but also in Iraq and Turkey.

Have the Terrorists Won in France?

By Chloé Benoist

January 7, 2016

If grand values are no longer deemed crucial or even relevant to the French government in the name of fighting terrorism, then terrorism, for all intents and purposes, has already won.

History is Being Made, but Dangers Also Lurk Ahead

By Rami G. Khouri

January 6, 2016

The best hope for the Middle East is for sensible and responsible people in all concerned lands, especially around the Gulf, to grasp the catastrophes that will engulf much of the region if current trends continue.

2015’s Dark Legacy in the Middle East

By Rami G. Khouri

January 2, 2016

The dark, sick heart of 2015 is the narrowing space across the entire Middle East for citizens to express themselves freely on issues that matter to them and their families.