Introduction The exit of Donald Trump from the White House is being welcomed by many as a return to normalcy in US politics. However, what exactly that normalcy is, and how useful it is, depends on whether you look inside or outside the US. Trump, in many ways, has exemplified many long-term modes of seeing the world that have characterised…
What Happens Next in the Middle East?
A survey conducted by Arab Barometer suggests that people across the Middle East and North Africa doubt whether a Donald Trump or Joe Biden presidency will have any positive effect on the region. Conducted before the election on 3 November, the survey found that more people responded that they didn’t know or that a new US president would make no…
Some Middle East leaders have a big stake in US election
While the majority of people in the Middle East favour a Biden victory, strongmen across the region are hoping for a Trump re-election While the world is closely watching the US election, the leaders of some Middle East countries have a lot riding on who wins the race for the White House. Across the region, surveys have shown that the majority…
Political experts share views on effect of US election result on foreign policies in MENA
As the world watches the 2020 US presidential election, political experts weighed in on how the result of the race between President Donald Trump and former Vice-President Joe Biden will affect US policies in the MENA region and vice versa in a joint webinar hosted by the Brookings Doha Center and Arab Barometer on Monday. Titled ‘How Will the 2020…
Gender, income and education widen digital divide rates in Morocco, survey finds
A study conducted by the Arab Barometer confirmed that digital inequalities in Morocco and in many Arab countries remain «persistent». This week, the Arab Barometer published a study on the digital divide and disparity when accessing internet in 12 Arab countries, stressing that inequalities in this region remain «persistent». The independent, non-partisan research network, which has been conducting opinion polls…
Info-Deficiency in an Infodemic: The Gender Digital Gap, Arab Women and the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract: This commentary tackles the complex struggles faced by Arab women, including multiple layers of invisibility, marginalization and inequality,[1] all of which have significantly worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This examination includes a special focus on how and why the “digital divide,” defined as the gap between the technological haves and have-nots, has been a major contributing factor to this…
Why Do They Hate America(ns)?
In reaction to the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers on September 11, public debates droned an ongoing refrain of ‘why do they hate us?’. Consequently, although obviously not every Arab person who dislikes America commits or even supports terrorist attacks, September 11 brought about a surge in scholarly attention to the causes of anti-Americanism. Generally, it is argued that we…
Are Iraqi youths losing their religion?
“It’s about my identity,” Yara Ali said with confidence. Ali is an Arab-Iraqi lawyer and prominent activist living in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq; for security reasons, she uses a pseudonym. “I was forced to wear it. It was to protect me, but it wasn’t me.” Yara, 29, told Al-Monitor. A couple of years ago, the modern, educated woman who had become…
Lebanon: divided politics, shared discontent
The explosion at the port of Beirut killed at least 150 people, and the subsequent massive protests led to the resignation of the government. However, the protests are not about replacing the figureheads, but about addressing the ‘bankruptcy’ of the political pact that was intended to keep the religious groups in balance. The fear is great that giving up on…
The Second Libyan Civil War and the Russia Connexion with Mohamed Abufalgha
ABOUT THIS EPISODE Tom and Matt have the great opportunity to speak with Libyan national Mohamed Abufalgha and expert on the conflict that has been going on for several years now in this oil-rich, war-torn country. Mohamed helps us unpack the Russian-Libyan connection and exactly how many countries have their fingers–and fighters–in Libya.
Unge arabiske iværksættere vender tilbage til en usikker hverdag
Fra en dag til den anden forandrede hverdagen sig for Youness og Maram, da Corona-pandemien lukkede Marokko og Jordan ned. I dag forsøger de to unge iværksættere igen at finde fodfæste i en ny virkelighed. Med et overskud på omkring to millioner kroner efterlod 28-årige Youness Ouzari 2019 med en optimisme og en forventning om, at 2020 ville blive endnu…
Playing Politics: International Security Sector Assistance and the Lebanese Military’s Changing Role
Following the August Beirut port explosion, the Lebanese Armed Forces must rebuild trust with the civilian population. The LAF can serve as a critical pillar in Lebanese government efforts to strengthen national security and identity in the midst of the crisis, in light of security sector assistance from the United States and other Western partners. INTRODUCTION The Lebanese Armed Forces…