Culture and Society

Lifting the Headscarf Ban in Turkey: Where do we go from here?

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:38:39 -0500

On February 9, 2008 the Turkish Parliament voted to amend the constitution, thus permitting women to wear the headscarf when entering the university- another step in the long-running dispute over secularism in Turkey. Devotees of Turkish secularism, who support the view that expressions of attachment to religion have no place in the public arena, will not quietly accept the change in religious behavior which the Islamic-oriented politicians have now voted to enact.

Solving the Saudi Succession Puzzle

Thomas W. Lippman — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:00:00 -0500

If there is one thing the ruling princes of Saudi Arabia have shown they are good at, it is self-preservation. They demonstrated their skill once again last month with an adroit political maneuver that drew little media notice in this country because of the carnage in Iraq, but could have long term significance for the the Gulf region and for the United States.

The Implications of Iraq

Edward Walker — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc572.html

Kuwaiti Elections: New Voices

Jennifer McElhinny — Fri, 9 Jun 2006 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc529.html

Kuwait is in the midst of a political transformation. The past month has showcased the first youth movement demanding political reform and more backbone from their political representatives. Parliament has been dissolved. The new election, now set for the end of June, will reveal more registered women voters than men and promises to further the reform process. Eligible Kuwaiti female voters outnumber Kuwaiti men four to three.

Delayed Democracy in Qatar?

Louay Bahry — Mon, 24 Apr 2006 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc511.html

Parliamentary elections in Qatar have been postponed until 2007. This is the third delay since 1995 but it should not be a surprise. It follows the strategy of Qatar’s ruler, Hamid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, to transform Qatar without political and social shocks into a vibrant regional and international economic and financial center. Qatar hopes the transformation will help it compete with neighboring Dubai, which is famous for its wealth, economic development, and political stability.

Beyond the Cartoons

Kenneth Audroue — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 12:00:00 -0500

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc497.html

Many in the West find it hard to understand the degree of outrage throughout the Muslim world over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that have been published in the US and European press. Some assert it shows the Muslim world’s lack of respect for freedom of expression, its intolerance, or even its hypocrisy.

Don't Shortchange Afghanistan Again

Karl F. Inderfurth, Frederick Starr, Marvin G. Weinbaum — Tue, 24 Jan 2006 12:00:00 -0500

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc487.html

The forthcoming London conference on Afghanistan represents both a milestone and a challenge for the United States and the international community: a milestone because it will mark the completion of the Bonn process, the UN-brokered accord in 2001 to chart Afghanistan's path to a democratically elected government; a challenge because it will signal the beginning of the next critical stage in the country’s rebirth after decades of war and destruction.

Syria: From Authoritarianism to Benevolence

Murhaf Jouejati — Tue, 6 Sep 2005 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc420.html

After Gaza: Now What?

Paul Scham, Adjunct Scholar, Middle East Institute — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc419.html

Until fairly recently, few Palestinians believed that Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza would actually take place. It was assumed to be a trick. Israel expands; it does not contract. Arabs see Zionism as an ideology that exists solely to expropriate Arab land. For most Palestinians, a leopard would change its spots more quickly than Israel would evacuate its settlements without being forced by outside pressure to do so.

Intolerance and Terrorism Are the Problem, Not Islam

Edward S. Walker, Jr. — Thu, 28 Jul 2005 12:00:00 -0400

http://66.223.107.101/articles/doc403.html

"Islam plays an ever increasing role in Muslim countries, in public attitudes and in the politics of the Middle East." "Secularism is in retreat." While I do not know of any scientific polls that could validate these statements, many Americans - including experts on the region - would agree.

Certainly mosque attendance in the region, as in the United States, has increased; but so too has the population. And because of the political nature of the issue, accurate statistics are very hard to come by.