Tahrir Forum

Trump’s Wild Middle East

By Rami G. Khouri

November 16, 2016

The Donald Trump presidency could further destabilize a region already beset by war and weak states.

Egypt’s Orwellian Populisms

By Amr Hamzawy

November 15, 2016

The ruling establishment claims to defend the people even as its actions target the people.

Donald Trump’s Art of the Iran Deal

By Holly Dagres

November 4, 2016

The U.S. Republican presidential candidate is outspokenly hostile towards the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. Yet his erratic promises to renegotiate, or cancel, the deal reveal an ignorance of diplomacy.

Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Anthropology and Geology of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

By Rami G. Khouri

November 3, 2016

The always fascinating anthropology of Arab political power systems is now being joined by the early signs of game-changing geological shifting plates beneath the feet of the political beasts of the jungle.

Words of Wisdom from Another Ex-General

By Rami G. Khouri

October 27, 2016

When the Arab uprisings erupted in late 2010, the total Arab population was 348 million; today, it is 400 million. Former general John Allen calls for a Middle East ‘Marshall Plan’.

Illusions of Change in Morocco

By Sean Yom

October 24, 2016

Can the Moroccan regime indefinitely maintain the vast distance between its democratic promises versus the authoritarian status quo?

Regional Conflicts Bleed Into Yemen’s War

By Nabeel Khoury

October 20, 2016

Along with Saudi Arabia and Iran, Hezbollah and the U.S. risk being pulled further into Yemen’s civil war.

The Regional and Domestic Political Context of the Mosul Offensive

By Kirk H. Sowell

October 19, 2016

The operation to retake Mosul is part of a broader power struggle between Baghdad and Ankara over spheres of influence in northern Iraq.

Jordan Defies Expectations, Again

By Allison Hodgkins

October 19, 2016

The Hashemite kingdom muddles on towards reform.

The Limits of Fighting Corruption in Egypt

By Mohamed Abdel Salam

October 15, 2016

Hisham Geneina’s trial is a tool to deter sharing information about corruption within state institutions.

The Expanding Jurisdiction of Egypt’s Military Courts

By Sahar Aziz

October 13, 2016

As the military expands its economic activities, more public property and institutions fall under the potential jurisdiction of military courts.

Time to Explore New Responses to War Crimes

By Rami G. Khouri

October 12, 2016

It is time to explore credible and effective mechanisms that can investigate war crimes allegations by all concerned parties, no matter how powerful or wealthy they may be.

On Syria, This Is Fantasy Sports Season in the United States

By Rami G. Khouri

October 7, 2016

Why I see the public debate about Syria in the United States today as infantile.

The Iranian-Saudi Petrochemicals Competition

By Tamer Badawi

October 4, 2016

As sanctions ease on Iran, it hopes to expand its petrochemical exports, putting it in direct competition with Saudi Arabia over emerging markets.

Shutting Arab Minds and Mouths Leads to Disaster

By Rami G. Khouri

September 30, 2016

An important reason for the frailty and turbulence of the modern Arab World was highlighted this week by two events in Jordan and Oman.

The Shrinking Independence of Egypt’s Labor Unions

By Giuseppe Acconcia

September 22, 2016

Egypt’s government is trying to bring independent labor organizations under the state syndicate’s control, threatening one of the few remaining independent civil society actors.

Why $37 Billion in U.S. Aid to Israel Endangers Us All

By Rami G. Khouri

September 21, 2016

Barack Obama says in his United Nations General Assembly speech Tuesday that Israel cannot forever expect to control and colonize the occupied Palestinian territories—days after he concluded a $38 billion aid package to Israel.

Jordan’s Elections and the Divided Islamists

By Kirk H. Sowell

September 20, 2016

Jordan’s weakened Islamists are building alliances with tribal candidates to boost votes in the upcoming elections.

Populist Limits to Subsidy Reforms in Morocco

By Idriss Jebari

September 16, 2016

Despite Morocco’s apparent success in cutting energy subsidies, the government is likely to face difficulties doing the same with staple goods.

America’s Greatness and Darkness Emerge Together

By Rami G. Khouri

September 14, 2016

The wider tragedy of the past fifteen years demands of all of us greater efforts to affirm the goodness and equal rights of all people, rather than perpetuate the dangerous and arrogant fantasy of any self-appointed greatest nation on earth.