A new survey by Arab Barometer adds numbers to the narrative that COVID has led to a harsher reality for women in the Middle East and North Africa. The COVID-19 pandemic has turned Heba Mordaa’s life upside down. “Ever since the lockdowns started in March 2020, my work has been deteriorating,” the 29-year-old manicurist and mother of three in Beirut says. “At first,…
Economy
As Tunisia risks losing its democracy, the US takes a ‘wait and see’ approach
As Tunisia risks losing its democracy, the US is expressing concern about the country’s stability and political institutions but not taking any specific actions yet. It all depends on how things evolve in the coming days, writes Brooke Anderson. Over the weekend, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke with Tunisian President Kais Saied to express his support for the…
Tunisia’s democracy in the balance after president’s power grab
Tunisia’s decade-old democracy hangs in the balance after President Kais Saied removed the prime minister and suspended Parliament on Sunday. Why it matters: Tunisia was the lone democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring. It remains the only democracy in the Arab world. But the country’s politics have been deadlocked amid an economic crisis and its worst COVID-19 wave, leading…
Mofeed-19: Interview with Amaney Jamal, PhD.
The Program on Arab Reform and Democracy (ARD) at CDDRL, in partnership with the Arab Studies Institute, is pleased to announce the launch Mofeed-19, a 19-minute video podcast that discusses research efforts pertaining to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Arab world. The podcast is part of the Mofeed-19 Project, an initiative that builds foundational resources for understanding how…
Shifting Political, Economic and Social Trends in MENA Post-Covid19
Join Dr. Sahar Khamis and her two guests, Dr. Abdul-Wahab Kayyali and Ms. Salma Al-Shami, in her program “The Bridge” this Friday, June 25th, from 8 to 9 a.m. (EST), LIVE on “U.S. Arab Radio” and Facebook simultaneously, as they discuss a very timely and important topic, namely: the shifts in the political, economic, social and media landscapes in the MENA region (Middle East…
Arab Public Opinion on Domestic Conditions: Findings from the Sixth Wave of Arab Barometer
Key Findings: The economy & COVID-19 were the most important challenges facing regional countries Despite large variation, minorities have a positive view of current economic conditions With the exception of two countries, minorities envision a more positive economic horizon & majorities fear loss of income Sizable proportions wish to emigrate, particularly among the educated youth Minorities trust the government across…
COVID-19 in the Middle East and North Africa
Key Findings: Citizens in surveyed MENA countries are judging COVID-19 responses of governments based on the ability to manage the healthcare crisis and the economic fallout of the pandemic. Performance rating is highest where citizens rate both health, economic response well (Morocco). Performance rating is lowest where citizens rate both health, economic response poorly (Lebanon, Tunisia). Performance rating is mixed…