What happens in Egypt will affect the rest of the Arab world. If democracy develops and thrives in Egypt it will be a force for democratisation in the Arab world for years to come; if it stumbles and retreats, the forces of authoritarianism and (...)
Six months after the outbreak of protest in Tunisia, the Arab world has been transformed. Popular calls for change have reverberated from Morocco to Yemen. Of the republics, two are in transition towards democracy and three are in battles for regime (...)
Much has been made of the “Turkish model” as an example for Egypt, but no national experience can serve as a model for another country, nor is the Turkish experience without serious problems. Also, Ankara has been disappointingly slow to embrace (...)
With tensions mounting in Lebanon over a number of national and regional issues, international efforts should remain focussed on avoiding conflict, argues Paul Salem*
Despite overall calm and a record tourist season this summer, Lebanon's political (...)
BEIRUT: Report after report from the World Bank, United Nations Development Program, and the Arab League emphasize that the education deficit in the Arab world is among the main causes of its underdevelopment. With 5% of the world's population and (...)
BEIRUT: Lebanon's voters have handed a clear defeat to the Hezbollah-led March 8 alliance. In a smoothly run and peaceful election, the pro-Western March 14 alliance emerged with a clear majority of 71 seats, compared to 58 seats for its rivals. The (...)
Hezbollah's armed insurrection in May, which overran Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, has dealt a further blow to hopes of true state sovereignty in the country, strengthening Hezbollah and weakening the Western-backed government. But it also (...)
America's decision to target Iranian agents in Iraq who may be involved in supporting violent militias is but another sign of the massive influence Iran is exercising in that troubled country. But the United States in fact facilitated Iran's growing (...)
If civil war is not to engulf Lebanon, something must be done, and soon, writes Paul Salem
Lebanon approaches the Christian and Muslim holiday seasons bruised and battered by international standoffs, regional wars and internal divisions and (...)