The transition from authoritarianism to democracy is notoriously difficult, according to Council on Foreign Relations analysts Isobel Coleman and Terra Lawson-Remer. Countries like Egypt, Tunisia and Myanmar should draw on the democratization experience of Poland, Ukraine, Thailand, Indonesia, …

“Democracy promotion is beset by self-doubt” and facing a threat to its credibility in the face of a “democratic disconnect” between citizens and institutions in established democracies, according to a new report.

An insightful and valuable analysis from the German …

In confronting Tunisia’s radical Islamists, the Nahda-led government is being forced to address a problem of its own making, says a leading analyst. Since they took over the reins of government early last year, Nahda leaders have focused on …

The Arab spring came as a golden moment for Islamists to establish political influence in the post-revolutionary political orders of Egypt and Tunisia. Two years later, however, the impact of non-Islamist currents on the political scene of both countries …

Afghanistan’s parliament has rejected a law banning violence against women in “a severe blow to progress made in women’s rights in the conservative Muslim country since the Islamist Taliban was toppled over a decade ago,” Reuters reports:

President Hamid …

Tunisia’s acting president and labor unions have called for dialog and consensus on contentious issues hindering the democratic transition, as the country braces itself for anticipated violent unrest ata planned Salafist gathering this weekend.

“Everyone must make the necessary concessions” …

“We’re going to keep working for a Syria that is free from Assad’s tyranny, that is intact and inclusive of all ethnic and religious groups, and that’s a source of stability, not extremism,” said US President Barack Obama …

US President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) today discussed how to bolster the Syrian opposition and initiate a political transition.

“We’re going to keep increasing the pressure on the Assad regime, and working with …

Libya’s defense minister Mohammed Al-Barghathi (right) today retracted his decision to resign in protest over the militias’ blockade of government ministries in what he called an “assault on democracy and elected authorities.” 

Libyans believe that the new exclusion law is …

“Gunmen refused to give up control of two ministries in Libya‘s capital on Monday, even after parliament caved in to their demand and banned any senior official under dictator Muammar Gaddafi from holding government posts,” Reuters reports from Tripoli…