01 Mar 2014

Science and Technology at the “Arab MIT”

Over the past years, the Middle East has experienced a remarkable increase in state-of-the-art facilities for research and education. This innovation-driven environment with extraordinary financial resources has attracted top-notch faculty, staff, and students from all over the world. My name is
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15 Dec 2013

Transformation and Challenges of the Lebanese Political Parties

This paper aims to shed light on the diverse political landscape in Lebanon. Firstly, it dwells on the premises on which parties in Lebanon were founded, with their historical and conflicting messages. Secondly, it builds on the political limbo the state reached at the moment. And finally looks
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06 Jul 2012

The Arab Philanthropy in the Academic Context

The concept of charity and moral responsibility lies in each of the three Abrahamic religions, and is based on a simple principle of taking from those who received consistent material blessings and give those less fortunate. Thus Arab region is the cradle of one of the oldest traditions in the world
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30 Sep 2011

Plausible and Implausible Aspects of Jordan’s Protests

Recently, deprivation and lack of satisfaction in the daily life of the population have generated waves of protests among Arab states in the Middle East. Nowadays, Jordan resembles a drama, as protests seem to be erupting on a schedule known beforehand. Mass protests are permitted in Jordan, but
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16 Mar 2011

Stronger in Opposition?

Demonstrators from the March 14 political bloc wore white baseball caps with the word ‘No’ emblazoned in red on them as they gathered in Martyr’s Square, Beirut on Sunday morning. No, they said, to the rule of arms; no, to Syrian and Iranian influence on Lebanese soil; no, to Hezbollah’s
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13 Feb 2011

Political Stability: the Mysterious Case of Qatar

The stability of Arab Gulf monarchies has been remarkable given the high level of regional conflict and internal unsteadiness in the Middle East. These states have survived and successfully prevented conflict. It is noteworthy that stability is sometimes more difficult to understand than conflict.
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24 Jan 2011

Why Egypt Isn’t Ripe for a Jasmine Revolution

In a previous article, I argued that the events of Sidi Bouzid are rooted in an accumulated heritage of social struggles and, in turn, will provide inspiration for social struggles throughout the Arab world. But will the Jasmine Revolution necessarily mark the beginning of an ‘Arab Spring’? Will
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20 Jan 2011

Is Sidi Bouzid Really Unprecedented in the Arab World?

“The most spectacular thing about the events in Tunisia is that they make everything uncertain, but they also make everything possible” Tunisians made history last week—fact. Never have we seen an Arab dictator flee his country and roam the skies begging for refuge like we did with Ben Ali on
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03 Jan 2011

Trust: the Absent Keystone in Lebanese Democracy?

Matilda Allen explains why trust between Lebanon's citizens is essential for the state's democracy to thrive. Strengthening and enhancing democracy in Lebanon is often seen as one of the main priorities of political progress. The dialogue about democracy building, within Lebanon and abroad, tends
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28 Dec 2010

Taking Action Through Acting: Jenin’s Freedom Theater

Known as ‘The Martyrs’ Capital’ to Palestinians, Jenin Refugee Camp’s streets are lined with posters and awnings featuring somber portraits of the dead.  It is an unlikely setting for The Freedom Theater, a progressive institute that has challenged the concept of a violent resistance to the
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