Perspectives on the Arab Spring

Over the past several years, I have been reflecting on the Arab Spring from the perspective of the international community’s response, its implications for international security, and the violent nature of most of the transition processes. These posts have become more broadly focused on the Middle East and (North) Africa and more irregular as time has passed…

Egypt: where turmoil comes with the constitution

5 July 2013 | Middle East and North Africa, Notes | Middle East and North Africa

Military coups are not a means of democratic politics, but democratic politics in societies as deeply divided as Egypt may not be possible with the kind of exclusive institutions and uncompromising political leaders that the country currently has. Temporarily suspending the constitution is a stop-gap measure that can work in the short-term. What Egypt may also need in the long-term is a more inclusive set of political institutions and leaders that put the interests of the country as a whole above their own.

Making a difference? The US decision to supply military aid to Syrian rebels

17 June 2013 | Civil War, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Syria, Terrorism | Arab Spring, Civil War, International Conflict Management, Middle East and North Africa, Syria, Terrorism

The White House announced that the US would start providing military aid to some of the rebel groups, but it remains unclear whether arming rebel groups in Syria will contribute to achieving the stated aims of US and UK policy: to save lives, to pressure the Assad regime to negotiate seriously, and to prevent the growth of extremism and terrorism.

Syria casts its shadow as G8 leaders gather

14 June 2013 | Civil War, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Syria, Terrorism | Arab Spring, Civil War, International Conflict Management, Middle East and North Africa, Syria, Terrorism

President Obama’s confirmation that the United States would begin arming Syrian rebels has prompted an urgent debate about both the legality and the effectiveness of the decision.

Syria casts its shadow as G8 leaders gather

14 June 2013 | Civil War, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Syria, Terrorism | Arab Spring, Civil War, International Conflict Management, Middle East and North Africa, Syria, Terrorism

President Obama’s confirmation that the United States would begin arming Syrian rebels has prompted an urgent debate about both the legality and the effectiveness of the decision.

From Arab Spring to regional sectarian war?

7 June 2013 | Civil War, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Syria, Terrorism | Arab Spring, Civil War, International Conflict Management, Syria

The significance of Syria, from a regional perspective and apart from the worsening humanitarian crisis, is that the intensely bloody conflict there may be a sign of what the region as a whole may yet experience. Syria is a likely catalyst for such a regional escalation and a definite battle field for the proxy wars already happening.

Drone Warfare: effective or counter-productive?

28 April 2013 | Drones, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Terrorism | Drones, Middle East and North Africa, Terrorism

While there can be no doubt that the national and international legal regulation of the deployment of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, drones) for the purposes of surveillance, monitoring, intelligence gathering, and military strikes is of great importance, it is equally significant to take account of the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the deployment of drones, especially in relation to their use for targeted killing.

Managing Expectations in Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference

18 April 2013 | Civil War, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Terrorism, Yemen | Arab Spring, Civil War, International Conflict Management, Yemen

Managing expectations inside and outside of Yemen about what the National Dialogue can accomplish will enable broadly acceptable outcomes to be achieved by participants in the conference and their subsequent sustainable implementation by all stakeholders.

Three lessons from the Arab Spring

25 November 2011 | Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes, Syria, Yemen

The international community must remain realistic about the speed and comprehensiveness of the success of the Arab Spring but should remain committed and determined in its support of the genuine democratic aspirations of the people who have started these revolutions.

Libya after Gadhafi: Challenges and Opportunities

22 October 2011 | Civil War, Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes

In the same way in which toppling the old regime could only be accomplished with substantial international support, it is unlikely that Libya’s transition will succeed without continuing support from the country’s international partners.

A New Beginning for Libya

20 October 2011 | Civil War, Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes

Libyans and their allies across the world are right to celebrate, but building a new and legitimate state in the country will be a difficult task.

Libya’s Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage: Promise and Drawbacks

3 September 2011 | Civil War, Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes

The Draft Constitutional Charter reflects, by its very existence and publication, a remarkable degree of forward-planning by the National Transitional Council. It is a bold break with the past, but there are also some drawbacks, both in what is included in the Draft Constitutional Charter and what is missing from it.

Building a democratic state for the new Libya

25 August 2011 | Civil War, Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes

Sustainable peace, democracy and prosperity depend crucially on choosing the right institutions, but these institutions cannot flourish unless there is security.

Three questions on Libya and one on the region

22 August 2011 | Civil War, Libya, Middle East and North Africa, Notes

Resistance by the old regime collapsed relatively quickly on the road to, and in, Tripoli and the rebels clearly have the upper hand now and momentum is on their side, but there is a danger of setbacks.

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Perspectives on the Arab Spring

Egypt: where turmoil comes with the constitution

Making a difference? The US decision to supply military aid to Syrian rebels

Syria casts its shadow as G8 leaders gather

Syria casts its shadow as G8 leaders gather

From Arab Spring to regional sectarian war?

Drone Warfare: effective or counter-productive?

Managing Expectations in Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference

Three lessons from the Arab Spring

Libya after Gadhafi: Challenges and Opportunities

A New Beginning for Libya

Libya’s Draft Constitutional Charter for the Transitional Stage: Promise and Drawbacks

Building a democratic state for the new Libya

Three questions on Libya and one on the region

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