Though the Arab Spring has taken most of the world by storm, in some Middle East countries a less visible process is under way. In Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere - existing powers have used a hybrid of constitutional reform and economic stimulus to satisfy the immediate demands of their peoples. Despite temporary success, these countries face a longer-term crisis of authority. Will constitutional reform be enough to maintain order, what will it look like and where will it lead? Return to Arab Awakening

Egypt's draft constitution: an analysis

Zaid Al-Ali 8 November 2012

The text of the Egyptian state's new constitution is reaching a critical juncture. How does it measure up to fundamental rights and principles, and accord with recent constitutional practice elsewhere in the world? Zaid Al-Ali inspects the document.

Yemen’s National Dialogue: will it succeed?

Helen Lackner 18 October 2012

Eleven months after the signature of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s [GCC] initiative and the  formation of the new Government of National Unity and nine months after the election of the interim President, where are we with Yemen's National Dialogue? Things are different this time - but are they any more likely to last?

USA holds its breath as Saudi Arabia’s uprising surmounts the regime’s impregnable shield

Zayd Alisa 17 September 2012

In Saudi eyes any concession, no matter how insignificant, let alone a triumph by the Bahraini uprising, would definitely inspire its own Shia to rebel against the regime.

Should one expect security sector reform in Egypt?

Virginie Collombier 16 August 2012

In the stand-off between the two main political actors, control over the security sector will be a major issue at stake. Both groups are convinced that they will only be able to maintain their domination over the political scene provided that they enjoy control over the security institutions.

New Tunisian Salafist Party: a threat to democratic transition?

Anne Wolf 14 August 2012

Jabhat al-Islah denounces violence and might have the potential to embed Tunisia's Salafist movement in the political process

The here and now: revolutionary?

Karim Maged 27 June 2012

The fundamental incoherence surrounding the state of Egyptian thought stems from a number of unanswered questions; the biggest of which is - was this a revolution?

Saudi Arabia's moribund monarchy

Joshua Jacobs 24 June 2012

Though only a limited reform, and one that seems to have been quickly dispatched, the Allegiance Institute remains an important milestone. It was a tacit acknowledgment that despite the King's power he does not rule alone.

Jordan: smoke, mirrors and election laws

Tareq Baconi 21 June 2012

‘Confusing? That’s the point! The Government has upgraded “Divide and Conquer” to “Confuse and Conquer”’.

A vote of confidence in Egypt’s presidency

Heba Abou Shnief 21 June 2012

The ability of the executive to set a clear and cohesive national agenda that is practical enough to be achieved requires genuine independence and freedom from the politics of parliamentary systems. What is needed is an executive who works with parliament for the people, rather than for parliament simply in the name of the people. 

Egypt’s presidential run-off: legal limbo and the transition to nowhere

Andrea Teti and Gennaro Gervasio 19 June 2012

The best way for the military to retain its privileges would be to step back from its high-visibility role. The more time that passes, though, the higher the cost of doing this will be — as the military’s iron grip on institutions drives opposition forces towards, and not away, from each other

Gulf union or merger? Assessing calls for a Saudi and Bahrain-led Gulf Union

Michael Stephens 12 May 2012

The push for a Gulf Union is not the first step in a regional alliance, but the beginning of a merger between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to fend off the chance that Shi’a political mobilisation will destroy vital Saudi interests.

Interview with Galal Maktari, founder of the Independent Yemen Group

Filippo Dionigi 1 April 2012

Filippo Dionigi met Galal Maktari, founder member of the newly established Independent Yemen Group, to discuss with him the events taking place in Yemen during the last two dramatic years, and the non-violence that has given way to factionalism.

Tunisia: free speech double standards

Amna Guellali 6 March 2012
In Tunisia, the flag of freedom of expression has often been waved when politically convenient and forgotten when it isn’t.

Jassim Buhejji, a life for Bahrain

Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi 28 February 2012
The Bahraini activist Jassim Buhejji was a quiet figure who nonetheless played a formative role in sustaining the best of his country's political traditions. Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi reflects on his legacy and pays tribute.

Islamists bring religion down to earth: the end of religious idealism

Ahmed E. Souaiaia 23 February 2012
The movement was in disarray until the historical revolution offered it a second life - a revolution that they did not plan and certainly did not start.

Columnist of the Week

Omer Harari

The boundaries of Israeli unity

Syria: 'cold war redux'?

Syria's war, Israel's trap
Paul Rogers

The Iranian key to the Syrian crisis
Heiko Wimmen

Has Turkey reached a dead-end in Syria?
Firdevs Robinson

oD author detained in Dubai

"Mr. Ulrichsen believes that an article he wrote last summer "The U.A.E.: Holding Back the Tide," may have played a part in his blacklisting."
- Chronicle of Higher Education


Rita from Syria

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Syrian colours: the greys

Rap and the Arab Spring

Interview with Arab rappers Ibn Thabit and Deeb

Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3

Full Event, Rap and the Arab Spring

Mali in crisis

The Mali effect
Stephen Ellis

Mali, and remote-control war
Paul Rogers

Qatar intervening in northern Mali?
Mehdi Lazar

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Our Editors

Bassam Gergi

Bassam Gergi

Associate Editor of Arab Awakening is pursuing an M.Phil in Comparative Government at Oxford University

Mazen Zoabi

Mazen Zoabi

Translation Editor of Arab Awakening is a psychology graduate with an interest in film

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