NSN Middle East Update
Recent developments in transitions across the Arab world spotlight two trends: the challenges of implementing democracy, and the vital, though supportive role for the U.S. and other members of the international community in moving the transition in productive directions and saving lives. Egyptians continue to struggle with the transition to civilian rule and the place of non-governmental organizations; after decades of a secular dictatorship, Tunisia is dealing with the role of religion in democracy, with both the government and the people rejecting fringe elements; and Libya continues to confront human rights, governance and security challenges. From recovering stolen funds from former Tunisian President Ben Ali, to the role of NGOs in Libya and Egypt, to human rights monitors departing Syria and requesting UN condemnation, the international community has an important, though supportive, role in this political transition.
Egypt
Following a week of protests, Egypt’s military rulers have asked a panel of civilian advisers for suggestions about handing over power to civilians earlier than the scheduled deadline at the end of June. The protesters want an immediate end to military rule, and accuse the army of mismanaging the transition and committing human rights violations. The military has also opened a politically-charged investigation into the activities of four American-backed nongovernmental organizations. The U.S. Embassy in Cairo is giving shelter to at least two American citizens to protect them from potential arrest. Egyptian military leaders traveled to Washington for the weekend to try to smooth over tensions.
News
Egypt’s Military Seeks Advice on Early Handing of Power to Civilians
New York Times, 1/29/12
Egypt’s Military Considers Speeding Up Transition
AP, 1/30/12
U.S. Embassy in Cairo Shields 2 Americans
New York Times, 1/30/12
Commentary and Analysis
A Test for Egypt: Hearing All Voices
Michael Hanna, International Herald Tribune, 1/24/12
Support Pluralism in Egypt’s Transition
Brian Katulis, Center for American Progress, 1/27/12
A Year Later, Egyptian Neighborhood Awaits Justice
Ben Hubbard, Associated Press, 1/30/12
Syria
The government continues to target opponents in the capital’s suburbs. Meanwhile, it claims that a “terrorist group” blew up a gas pipeline in the central province of Homs, the most recent in a series of such accusations since the uprisings began. The intensifying violence led the Arab League to suspend its monitoring mission.
News
Sharp Rise in Violence Halts Monitoring by League in Syria
New York Times, 1/28/12
Syria Targets Rebels Based in Suburbs of Damascus
New York Times, 1/30/12
Commentary and Analysis
Four Reasons Why U.S. Military Intervention in Syria is Unlikely
John T. Bennett, US News and World Report, 1/20/12
Tunisia
A recent spike in attacks against unveiled women and “blasphemous” television channels by fringe conservative Salafists has resulted in widespread condemnation from citizens and the moderate Islamist government. The government, which was elected in October, also reaffirmed its commitment to free expression. Meanwhile, the role of the international community is highlighted in efforts to recover stolen funds from ousted dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
News
Thousands in Tunisia protest Islamist extremism
AP, 1/28/11
Tunisian Leaders vs the Radical Fringe
AFP, 1/28/12
Commentary and Analysis
Getting Back the Bad Guy’s Loot
Mark Vlasic, New York Times, 1/19/12
Libya
Libyan judicial police have started taking control of makeshift prisons after human rights organizations complained of rampant torture of inmates. The move comes after the UN’s top human rights official said last week that Libya’s transitional government must take control of all makeshift prisons to prevent further atrocities against detainees, and Doctors Without Borders pulled out of some Libyan cities. The Libyan civil war may have given militant groups in Africa’s Sahel region like Boko Haram and al Qaeda access to large weapons caches, according to a recent UN report, and Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim al Keib called for a regional security conference to tackle the proliferation of weapons among exiled supporters of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
News
Libya: Justice Ministry to Take Over Prisons After Aid Groups Complain of Inmate Torture
AP, 1/29/12
Libyan PM Calls for Security Meeting Over Weapons
Reuters, 1/29/12
Commentary and Analysis
‘Mission Accomplished’ in Libya? Not So Fast
Tony Karon, TIME, 1/30/12
Around the Region
After Egypt, Tunisia, Libya Overthrows, Arab Upheaval Begins to Settle
Christian Science Monitor, 1/29/12
Arabs to Davos: Invest In Us, Don’t Fear Us
AP, 1/27/12
Colin Kahl, Foreign Policy, 1/25/12
Why won’t Saudi Arabia Write Down its Laws?
Nathan Brown, Foreign Policy, 1/23/12
The Iraqi Revolution We’ll Never Know
Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Policy, 1/17/12
