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NSN Middle East Update
3/29/11
Today, NSN is introducing a regular Middle East Update to keep our valued readers informed about developments - and the connections and themes that unite these developments - taking place across a rapidly-changing Middle East, as well as the efforts underway here in Washington to both make sense of and respond to those changes.
Egypt
Earlier this month, Egyptians voted in overwhelming numbers to accept amendments to the current constitution that ensure judicial supervision of elections and set term limits for the president, among other changes. Today, Egypt's military leadership announced that parliamentary elections will be held in September, although presidential elections do not yet have a confirmed date.
News
Egypt Plans Parliamentary Election
Wall Street Journal, 3/29/11
Egypt Vote Contrasts with Thuggery, Rigging of Past
Reuters, 3/19/11
Commentary and Analysis
Ray Takeyh, International Herald Tribune, 3/29/11
Why Nobody Noticed What Egypt's Opposition Has Won
Nathan Brown, Foreign Policy, 3/28/11
Five Myths About the Muslim Brotherhood
Lorenzo Vidino, Washington Post, 3/6/11
Yemen
As the instability in Yemen continues to spread, negotiations between President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his opponents over a handover of power have stalled in recent days. Meanwhile, Ali Mohsen al Ahmar, the commander of Yemen's First Armored Division, said Sunday that Saleh should respect the demands of the people and "step down from the presidency peacefully." Yemen remains a strategically important country, particularly for U.S. counterterrorism efforts.
News
Yemen Crisis Intensifies with Factory Explosion
Washington Post, 3/29/11
Saleh Rules Out More Concessions
Washington Post, 3/28/11
Commentary and Analysis
Gregory Johnsen, New York Times, 3/24/11
The Unraveling of the Saleh Regime in Yemen
Christopher Boucek and Mara Revkin, CTC Sentinel, 3/11
New York Times Editorial, 3/25/11
Syria
President Bashar al Assad accepted the resignation of his cabinet, which does not have real power in the Syrian system, as the unrest in Syria grows and violence against protestors continues. Assad is expected to address the nation in the next 24 hours to announce he is lifting the emergency law and restrictions on civil liberties, yet it is unclear when the emergency law will actually be lifted. A regional linchpin, what happens in Syria will have a deep impact on Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey, affecting U.S. policy towards each of these countries.
News
Syrian Cabinet Resigns as Protests Continue
New York Times, 3/29/11
What is at Stake if Syria's Regime Falls
Christian Science Monitor, 3/28/11
Iran: Government-controlled Media Mute on Deadly Protests in Syria
LA Times, 3/29/11
Commentary and Analysis
Patrick Seale, Foreign Policy, 3/28/11
Obama should draw the line at Syria
Dov Zakheim, Foreign Policy, 3/28/11
Bahrain
Today, Bahrain's parliament accepted the resignations of 11 lawmakers from the indigenous Shiite opposition over last month's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters in this Persian Gulf island nation. A strategically crucial country for the U.S., tensions remain high and the government has declared emergency rule to deal with the protests, bringing condemnations from the United States.
News
Bahrain Accepts Resignation of 11 Opposition Lawmakers
Bloomberg, 3/29/11
Bahrain accepts resignation of opposition MPs
AP, 3/29/11
Commentary and Analysis
The Bahrain crisis and its regional dangers
Salman Shaikh, Foreign Policy, 3/23/11
Libya
While news coverage is focused on President Obama's speech from last night, diplomats from around the world are meeting in London to discuss the political future of Libya. Foreign Ministers will discuss humanitarian aid, possible reconstruction plans and steps to help the Libyan opposition. A number of Arab states are participating, as well as representatives of the Arab League and the African Union. The United States has also appointed an envoy to the rebels in Benghazi.
Other Must-Reads
The situation throughout the Middle East is dynamic and varies from country to country. The experiences of Egypt and Tunisia during this Arab Spring have not easily translated to other countries in the region.
Steven Cook, The Atlantic, 3/28/11