Legislation

There was no relevant legislation this week.

Committee Hearings

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From Washington

Plans for a post-Saleh Yemen: As Saudi Arabia is reportedly blocking Ali Abdullah Saleh’s return to Yemen, State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said that the government must “move forward.” However, U.S. Ambassador Gerald M. Feierstein urged opposition politicians in Yemen against forming any sort of interim government. Sarah Phillips questioned how accepting Saudi leaders would be of a truly democratic Yemen, given the pressure Saudi Arabia would then face for reforms. Gregory Johnsen was concerned with the disparate nature of the anti-Saleh groups and the lack of a U.S. plan for a post-Saleh Yemen.

Mullen Visits Egypt, Security Sector Reform and Mubarak’s Trial Debated: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said concerns about military trials for civilians and allegations of torture would be addressed privately with the supreme military council. Sarah Carr stressed the need to reform the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. Tewfick Aclimandos argued that security sector reform in Egypt will require a long view toward officer education. Meanwhile, analysts discussed the implications of ousted Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak’s anticipated trial as helpful or harmful to the transition.

Discussion on U.S. Policy toward Arab Spring: Charles Landow argued that economic development can help Egypt and Tunisia successfully transition from autocracy to democracy, while Saifedean Ammous said too much aid money would be harmful. Brian Katulis wrote that President Barack Obama still lacks a coherent and proactive strategy for the region. Ray Takeyh argued that the the Arab Spring marks the beginning of a “post-American era” in the Middle East. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton characterized the importance of continuing to expand U.S. investments in Iraq “as essential [to] building democratic institutions.”

International Condemnation of Syria Grows: U.N. human rights chief Dr. Navi Pillay strongly condemned the Syrian regime’s oppression as “totally unacceptable.” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton emphasized that the Syrian regime must change its behavior or “get out of the way.” Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MI) criticized the violence in Syria as a “disgrace in the world scene,” adding that the Assad regime has lost all legitimacy. The IAEA voted to refer Syria to the U.N. Security Council, a move supported by White House Press Secretary Jay Carney. Britain and France introduced a resolution to refer Syria to the Security Council also.

Syrian Violence Continues: Democracy Digest reported that protests in Syria center around the desire for free and transparent media, fair elections, and increased social tolerance. Elliott Abrams described the potential fall of the Syrian regime as “the greatest defeat” for Iran and Hezbollah. Elias Muhanna discussed the implications of the reported attacks on Syrian forces. In addition, confusion abounds on whether the Syrian ambassador to France had resigned her post in a French TV interview. In Brussels, the National Coalition to Support the Syrian Revolution issued a series of recommendations, and characterized any negotiations with the regime as a “joke,” until violence ends.

Bahraini Crown Prince Visits Washington: President Barack Obama made a “drop by” visit to a scheduled meeting between Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon. The President was supportive of the Crown Prince’s reform efforts but pressed him on holding human rights violators accountable. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described Bahrain as a “partner” and the Crown Prince reiterated his commitment to reform.

Continued Criticism of Bahrain’s Crackdown: The Washington Post argued that the Obama administration has “a chance to turn the situation [in Bahrain] around.” Brian Dooley recommended the U.S. convey “forcefully and unambiguously” that the human rights abuses in Bahrain are unacceptable. Roy Gutman argued that the king’s call for dialogue is undermined by the detention of opposition leaders. Nicholas Kristof pleaded for the release of Bahraini professor Hassan al-Sahaf, in an open letter to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa. Official Bahraini media outlets accused the Obama administration of plotting with opposition leaders to overthrow the regime. The Bahrain News Agency fabricated reports that the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Dr. Navi Pillay supported the “reforms” underway in Bahrain. Pillay issued a statement condemning the fabricated statements.

Paths to Reform in Morocco and Turkey: Lahcen Achy argued that the reforms to Morocco’s constitution signified a shift from an absolute to constitutional monarchy. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé is optimistic for the future but urged the king to “accelerate” the reforms. Meanwhile, one analyst argued that Morocco’s invitation to the Gulf Cooperation Council is a flawed attempt at blocking reforms. The Economist argued that “the best way for Turks to promote democracy would be to vote against the ruling party” in the upcoming June 12th elections. A second article argued that the Arab Spring “has brought a new focus on Turkey,” which is considered “a working example of a Muslim democracy.” Senior AKP officials were angered by the newspaper's position. Preliminary election reports show the ruling party won their third parliamentary election with more than 50 percent of the vote, though the AKP fell short of the two-thirds needed to make constitutional changes.

Donors Pledge Aid to Libyan Opposition: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled to the UAE to meet with members of the Libyan Contact Group and announced an additional $26.5 million in aid, but continues to debate full recognition of the TNC. The international community pledged more than $1.3 billion to help support the TNC. In Congress, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee postponed a planned session on a draft resolution about U.S. military involvement in Libya. Muammar Gadhafi sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner's office thanking members of Congress for criticizing President Barack Obama for his involvement in the NATO-led military operation in Libya. A spokesman for Boehner's office reported that they were unable to vouch for the authenticity of the letter. Meanwhile, according to a TNC aide, Saif al-Islam approached rebels to discuss an exit from power for his father, leader Muammar Gadhafi. Micah Zenko wrote that a stalemated civil war in Libya would exacerbate the humanitarian situation. Chief ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo considered adding rape to the charges against Gadhafi.


U.S. to Increase Access of Information to Dissidents: Through a $2 million grant from the State Department, the Obama administration is leading a global effort to deploy Internet and mobile phone systems that will allow communication through wireless networks without any disruption from the government in countries like Iran, Syria and Libya.

New Sanctions in Iran: The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Iran. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton “Iraq: Coalition Under Stress.” The report highlights the political brinkmanship occurring within Iraq’s national unity government, which has the potential to bring down the government.

From the Middle East Bahrain Grand Prix Cancelled, Crackdown Continues: Despite initially reinstating the FIA race, a barrage of condemnation from human rights organizations has led to the cancellation of this year's race, humiliating the Bahraini regime. Police violently broke up protests in Shi’a neighborhoods in and around Manama. Al-Wefaq, the leading opposition party, was prevented from holding a presentation detailing abuses by the regime, officially due to lack of a permit. The government dismissed hundreds of mostly Shiite workers accused of participating in anti-government rallies. And 47 doctors and nurses were charged, in a closed-door hearing, with attempting to overthrow the monarchy. Thousands of protesters gathered for Bahrain's first public rally northwest of Manama over the weekend, while former MP’s Matar Matar and Jawad Fairooz were charged with "spreading malicious lies in an attempt to overthrow the government" and a poet was sentenced to one year in prison in a military court.

Syrian Crackdown in the North: The Syrian state media reported “armed gangs” killed 120 security forces, and civilians in Jisrash Shugur. The Interior Minister defended the operations. Robert Fisk argued that the revolt in Syria is becoming an “armed insurrection.” Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will not “close its doors” to refugees, as thousands, including defecting soldiers, fled. A Qatari newspaper called for action in Syria. The Syrian government-ordered committee examining the death of Hamza al-Khatib delivered disputed findings that he died from gunshot wounds. Air power was used to crush protests on Friday with reports of 14 protests dead in Damascus and elsewhere.



Egyptian Demand New Constitution, Muslim Brotherhood Recognized: A coalition of 11 Egyptian NGOs released a statement calling on the SCAF to follow the Tunisian example and draft a new constitution before elections. Issandr El Amrani noted that this call is gaining public support. Mohamed El Baradei published an online video calling for the creation of a bill of rights. Meanwhile, Egypt’s interim government recognized the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party as an official political party. Thanassis Cambanis wrote that the party has opened offices in every province and has entered coalition talks with other groups. In addition, the Salafi party was established as an official political party by the Political Parties’ Affairs Committee as the third official political party since the uprising.

Political Feuding in Yemen, Potential Reform in the Gulf: Conflicting reports emerged last week about whether talks had begun between the ruling party and opposition bloc in Yemen. Protesters threatened to install a provisional presidential council in defiance of the traditional opposition umbrella organization, the Joint Meetings Party (JMP). According to reports, Yemeni soldiers killed 21 al-Qaeda members in Zinjibar. According to President Ali Abdullah Saleh's opponents, Saleh has handed over Zinjibar to Islamists in an effort to reinforce his threat that if his regime falls, it would result in a takeover by al-Qaeda. The Shoura Council in Saudi Arabia recommended that women should be allowed to vote and run as candidates in future elections. Qatar’s cabinet approved a new media law to allow journalists to write freely “except on issues concerning national security and friendly countries.”

Tunisian Elections Rescheduled, as Ben Ali’s Legacy Persists: Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid Sebsi said that constituent assembly elections will be held on October 23. Al-Nahda spokesman Ali Larayd said his party would respect the date, but before the announcement, Rached Ghannouchi is fearful of violence if elections are delayed. The deposed leader Zine el Abidine Ben Ali described the case against him as a “masquerade.” And an article on a French news network revealed the enduring legacy of Ben-Ali-ism (le benalism) in Tunisian media. The African Development Bank announced plans to lend $500 million in emergency aid.

Protests in Kuwait, Iraq, Morocco, and Jordan: Thousands protested in Kuwait, calling for the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah. Anti-government protests in Baghdad on Friday were violently put down, as Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki did not follow through with a threat to remove under-performing ministers from power. Thousands protested in Rabat over the killing of Khaled al-Amari. And as the Jordanian National Dialogue Committee announced its recommendations for electoral reforms there were anti-government demonstrations in several Jordanian cities.

King Abdullah of Jordan to Make Reforms: King Abdullah II announced that he will implement reforms by forming future cabinets based on an elected parliamentary majority. His announcement follows six months of protests. The king did not announce when these changes will take place.

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