The new capitalists: Islamists' political economy

Fawaz A Gerges 10 May 2012

Islamist parties are proving to be the main beneficiaries of the Arab world's political transformation. But their very success in the political arena highlights the huge challenges they face in developing and implementing a coherent economic programme, says Fawaz A Gerges.

Uncertainty for the future of the Moroccan women’s movement

Heidi Basch-Harod 1 March 2012
For the past twenty years Moroccan women, from the liberal camp to the Islamist, have campaigned for equal rights for women. Their struggle has borne many triumphs and is gradually beginning to change the lives of women throughout the country. But how will they face the new challenges presented by Morocco's first Islamist-majority government?

Morocco's silent revolution

Valentina Bartolucci 17 January 2012
Morocco’s experience of the Arab spring of 2011, including constitutional reform and a parliamentary election, exemplifies the country’s political distinctiveness within the region. The events of 2012 will demonstrate how far hopes of real change can be sustained, says Valentina Bartolucci.

Holding on to the status quo, Gulf States seek political unity

Ahmed E. Souaiaia 21 December 2011
If the Gulf Cooperation Council wanted to support democracy and stability, they would have invested in Tunisia and Egypt. Instead, they are investing in regimes that mimic their own Umayyad model of governance.

Morocco: Why do I boycott?

Hisham Almiraat 25 November 2011
Moroccan opposition activists are stepping up calls for a boycott of today’s parliamentary election, saying it can only produce a corrupt assembly unwilling to implement the radical reforms they believe the country needs.

Arab spring: revolution to constitution

Ayman Ayoub 3 October 2011
The Arab uprisings of 2011 can be understood as the striving for a new social contract founded on constitutional and democratic principles, says Ayman Ayoub.

The Arab 1989 revisited

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen and David Held 27 September 2011
The establishment and deepening of a democratic culture is a long-term project and is intergenerational. As divisions open up between the elites and the street as well as within the elites, the events of 2011 across the Middle East and North Africa represent a powerful first step in a larger process of transformation.

They called us crazy

Dyab Abou Jahjah 31 August 2011
Thoughts on the Arab revolution from an Arab nationalist.

The last Moroccan king?

Merouan Mekouar 8 August 2011
The Makhzen (the name given in Morocco to the state apparatus) seems to be losing the deterrent effect on which it relied so successfully in the past.

Tensions rise between Israel and Hizbollah after Hariri indictiments

Oliver Scanlan 1 July 2011
All eyes are on the Hizbollah-dominated Lebanese government as the UN indicts senior members over the Hariri killing. Referendum begins on Morocco’s revised constitution. US applying pressure on Syrian opposition to engage with Assad. All this and more, in today’s security briefing…

North African diversities: a personal odyssey

Francis Ghilès 23 May 2011

The era of European colonial rule in the Maghreb was one of great plurality and intermingling of cultures as well as of power and violence. Several of these currents flow through the life of the respected journalist and scholar Francis Ghilès. Here, he draws on a remarkable familial and professional journey to reflect on the experience of Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco since the 1950s, and asks whether Europe can meet the test of a new era in the region.

Politics of fear: a frightened left

Josep Ramoneda 11 May 2011
Nobody has raised real debates in national or supranational parliaments to discuss the excesses of the securitarian discourse. Quite the opposite: the left has adopted the security discourse wholesale as its own and entered into a kind of auction with the right.

The Moroccan exception, and a king's speech

Valentina Bartolucci 11 March 2011
Morocco is not immune to the forces of change sweeping across the Arab world. But the response of its head of state reflects its distinct political character, says Valentina Bartolucci.

Brazilian paramilitary launch favela offensive

Daniel C Giacopelli 29 November 2010
War on Rio’s drug gangs pushes forward, with thousands of paramilitary forces involved. Moroccan security forces accused of deliberately targeting Western Sahara civilians. Protests occur as Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood claims election fraud. All this and more in today’s security briefing.

Rights groups call for investigation into violence in Western Sahara

Josephine Whitaker 11 November 2010
Rights groups call for international probe into violence in Western Sahara. Cholera reaches Port-au-Prince, confirming health workers’ worst fears. Iraqi politicians finally negotiate government after months of deadlock. Former Navy admirals slam decision to scrap Harriers, claiming the move will jeopardise the Falklands. All this and much more in today's Security Briefing...

This week's editor

Heather McRobie


Niki Seth-Smith is a freelance journalist and co-editor of OurKingdom.

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