Miriam Tresh | 22 December 2021
Following the UN-mediated Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, Libya’s first national elections since 2014 were announced. In advocating for early elections as a post-conflict solution to instability, policymakers have failed to consider the reality of electoral participation for citizens. In actuality, voting is a high-cost low-benefit
M. Nurullah Gulec | 20 December 2021
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a persistent human capital problem which manifests itself in high unemployment and a low share of nationals in the labor force.
Guy Robert Eyre 
Inga Kristina Trauthig | 14 December 2021
‘Quietist’ Salafis, considered typically to reject politics, political activism, and violence, and instead focus on religious education and learning, are in many ways the ‘heart’ of global Salafism. They also have deep roots and a significant following in North Africa, including in Morocco and Libya
Selman Buyukkara | 01 December 2021 | TR
Fifteen years have passed since Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which both occupy a central place in Lebanon’s sectarian political system, signed a Memorandum of Understanding and formed the political alliance currently governing Lebanon. These two parties, which were ideologically and politically opposed
Firat Kimya | 16 November 2021
The crisis of democracy in Tunisia continues, as President Kais Saied declared an indefinite suspension of parliament, which he has depicted as a threat to the state. Amidst this crisis, the indecisive attitude of international democratic actors has disappointed many and created a power vacuum for MENA strongmen to extend their political influence on Tunisia
Zubir R Ahmed | 14 September 2021 | TR
Early August 2021, the Mustafa al-Kadhimi government announced the “Iraqi Neighboring Countries Conference,” designed to focus on regional challenges and ways to overcome them. The conference, held on August 28, 2021, was initially aimed at hosting Iraq’s neighbors, particularly Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan
Bedir Mulla Rashid 
Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 27 August 2021 | TR | AR
Following the presidential elections held in Syria in May 2021, the PYD-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has witnessed protests in the territories under its control. The deteriorating economic living standards coupled with the Syrian Democratic Forces’ forced military conscription led people to organize protests
Mohammed Sinan Siyech | 29 July 2021
India’s presence in the Middle East region has been continuously evolving over the last few decades. An indicator of its ambitions and positions can be gleaned from its foreign policy stances in the Israel – Palestine conflict
Kamaran Palani | 09 July 2021
This piece considers whether an early election in Iraq will lead to change, or merely reinforce the status quo and current power structure. Considering the key challenges confronting Iraq’s democratic process and genuine popular participation across the country, this piece highlights the ongoing and polarizing public debate in Iraq regarding whether early elections will take place on the planned date of October 10, or their possible postponement to 2022
Ester Sigillo | 07 July 2021 | TR
By declaring the dissolution of the National People’s Assembly in February 2021, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune hoped to open a new political cycle for Algeria after years of massive protests. The snap legislative elections held on June 12 took place in a tense climate of generalized repression amid a political and economic crisis
