The latest edition of the Verification Handbook arrives at a critical moment. Today’s information environment is more chaotic and easier to manipulate than ever before. This book equips journalists with the knowledge to investigate social media accounts, bots, private messaging …

Food security is a challenge in the Arab region that was further underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis deepened food security concerns and increased uncertainty faced by policymakers. The persistent regional dilemma can be summarized as follows: To what …

The paper contended that many governments, democratic and undemocratic alike, had seized upon the war against terrorism to turn their back on international human rights standards in the name of what they hoped would be enhanced security against the threat …

Ahead of a European Council summit this week, a report by EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell laid out a roadmap to deepen bilateral trade despite recent setbacks in Ankara’s human rights record, while outlining economic sanctions should more turbulence …

Since his release from prison two years ago, the former jihadist once known as Abu Aicha has made an impressive showing of turning his life around. The 27-year-old Belgian who traveled to Syria in 2013 says he rejects the Islamic …

Western Sahara, Libya negotiations, German organisations… the suspension of contact between Rabat and the German embassy in Morocco has been attributed to ‘an accumulation of grudges’ A diplomatic letter leaked to Moroccan media outlets has caused a stir in the country. …

Contentious statement includes edict on learning language of new home country Migrants to Europe must learn the language of their new home countries and encourage their children to integrate in the light of the recent Islamist terror attacks, EU governments …

This article, written by Gianluca Solera and prof. Lidia Lo Schiavo, co-founders of Maydan Association,  was published today on Maydan’s website as the first contribution to a new section featuring stories, comments, photos, reports, or whatever preferred expression, to describe …

Persistent Divisions Will Preclude His Dreams of Global Power On May 11, 1962, U.S. President John F. Kennedy hosted an extraordinary gathering of American cultural talent to welcome France’s minister of culture, André Malraux. The dinner—which included luminaries such as …

The archives’ treasures are the stuff of legend—but their existence is absolutely real. Fifty-three miles of shelving. Thirty-five thousand volumes of catalogue. Twelve centuries worth of documents. Housed in one of the most iconic bastions of religion and culture ever, …

Italian oil major, Eni, announced this week that it has made three new oil and gas discoveries in the Meleiha region of western Egypt. The new discovery further adds to Egypt’s recent announcement that it expects to become self-sufficient in …

With countries across Africa shedding long-held taboos to seek International Monetary Fund help, Algeria is a rare holdout. It may need a quick recovery in oil prices or Chinese backing to stay that way. On a continent where a checkered …

Najla Bouden Romdhane is a 63-year-old geologist with little experience in politics. Critics fear she may not be able to stand up to President Kais Saied. Others celebrate the first female Arab prime minister.   After Wednesday’s appointment of geology …

Going green has advantages for the North African nation as it looks to tie its established mining and automobile sectors to battery production Morocco is hoping to move beyond its established mining sector and develop its electric vehicle industry, as …

The launch of a national payments system has allowed Somalia to centralise its digital payments. The country is on the cusp of a digital revolution, with opportunity ripe for the picking.   Mogadishu famously only installed its first ATM in …

Shillings, gods and runes: clues in language suggest a Semitic superpower in ancient northern Europe   Remember when Australians paid in shillings and pence? New research suggests the words for these coins and other culturally important items and concepts are the …

Two in five young Arabs have considered emigrating because of poor economic prospects, a survey shows, as regional economies tank in the wake of coronavirus. This year’s Arab Youth Survey found that 15 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds were …

DUBAI, Oct 19, 2021 – Countries in the Middle East and Central Asia have emerged from the COVID-19 shock but the path to full recovery remains uneven and fragile, the International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday, pointing to rising inflation …

Coronavirus and plunging oil prices may force new leader to turn to Gulf neighbours for help   Sandwiched between Saudi Arabia and Iran, Oman has long prized its neutrality, garnering a reputation as the Middle East’s Switzerland. But the Gulf …

While conflicts and crises have battered Arab cultural capitals, Saudi Arabia is hosting film festivals and bankrolling new movies. JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — A pregnant Saudi woman, far from home, finds herself stalked by inner and outer demons. A wannabe …

Exhausted from conflict and eager for growth, Middle Eastern rivals try talking IT WAS A surprising choice for a summer holiday. On August 18th Tahnoon bin Zayed, the national-security adviser of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), turned up in Ankara …

Expansion in Egypt, growth in the Gulf, and looking forward to Saudi Arabia   At an unprecedented pace, Egypt has expanded decisions to build and restore churches during the past few years, while Christian places of worship are increasing in …

With less cash to bribe the people, some strongmen will resort to repression “In the history of any nation there are special moments and seminal events,” said President Uhuru Kenyatta in August. He was celebrating Kenya’s entry to the club …

But subsidising pay is proving costly and ineffective BY NOW GULF rulers have tried almost everything. For much of the region’s modern history well-paid government jobs have been a birthright for citizens. This perk forms the core of the region’s …

Governments are making things worse In the neighbourhood of Algiers where the presidential palace and foreign embassies are located, some think the water pressure has increased of late. But don’t tell those living in the suburbs of Algeria’s capital, where …

Jordan has become one of the world’s first countries to start coronavirus vaccinations for United Nations-registered refugees, according to the U.N. refugee agency and the royal palace. As part of the kingdom’s national vaccination drive that began last week, anyone …

When banks started to fail and protesters began filling the streets in 2019, Moussa Khoury resisted the temptation to leave his native Lebanon. After a massive explosion flattened part of Beirut, the capital, last year, he fixed his broken windows …

Mahmoud Abbas’s unelected and illegitimate government is becoming increasingly violent, but Washington’s largesse is keeping it in power. At 3:30 a.m. on June 24, Nizar Banat, an outspoken critic of the Palestinian Authority (PA), was arrested at his home in the city …

By Daniel L. Byman (*) The Middle East has always been rife with enmity and rivalry, and its regimes have long taken advantage of the region’s many linguistic, religious, and cultural connections to shape the overall political environment. Regimes that …

By Anders Jagerskog (*) Food security may not seem a priority during current conflicts, but it is critical that the region seize opportunities to make better use of scarce water resources to address a longer-term challenge to the region’s stability. …

Arabic as a language for artistic expression has recently been enjoying a resurgence of interest as a result of the social and political uprisings that have been occurring across the Arab world. Interestingly, however, this resurgence is not only limited …

“Arabic calligraphy is the artistic practice of handwriting Arabic script in a fluid manner to convey harmony, grace and beauty,” UNESCO said on its website. PARIS – UNESCO: After a successful collaboration led by Saudi Arabia with 15 Arab countries …

  The world is facing an unprecedented situation created by a rapid global outbreak of COVID-19 disease, which reminds that threats know no borders. COVID-19 is caused by a virus that can be transmitted to both wealthy and vulnerable communities …

Citizenship is a contested historical process consisting of social relationships, both formal and informal, in complex environments. The active engagement of marginalized groups and policies responsive to diverse needs are prerequisites for inclusive citizenship. This paper outlines how Arab countries …

The twelfth edition of the Democracy Index covering 2019 that was published recently has concluded that global democracy is in its most fragile state since The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) first produced the study in 2006. Driven by sharp regressions …

The World Inequality Report 2018 relies on a cutting-edge methodology to ­measure income and wealth inequality in a systematic and transparent manner. By developing this report, the World Inequality Lab seeks to fill a democratic gap and to equip various …

By Edward Yeranian, for the VOA News (*) CAIRO – With Britain set to exit the European Union (at 2300 UTC) on January 31, Arab media are speculating on potential repercussions on Arab states in the Middle East region. Some …

By Alexandra Brzozowski, for EURACTIV (*) EU foreign ministers agreed on Monday (17 February), after Austria lifted its veto, to deploy a combined aerial and naval mission, with a terrestrial component, and enforce a porous UN arms embargo in and …

Two leaders promise to work strenuously to spread the culture of tolerance and bring an end to wars, conflicts During his visit to the United Arab Emirates Pope Francis and Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of al-Azhar and chair …

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday announced measures to end a programme that allowed foreign countries to send imams and teachers to France in a bid to crack down on what he called the risk of “separatism”. During a visit …

As the world marks Arabic Language Day, it is only fair to pay tribute to this rich dialect that has inspired many western languages. Many younger Arab generations are constantly accused of abandoning Arabic for the sake of learning western …

Global democracy has had another bad year, but popular protests show the potential for democratic renewal, The Economist Intelligence Unit reports. After showing stagnation in 2018, the EIU’s Democracy Index – which assesses the global state of democracy – deteriorated …

From Salvini to Orbán, ethno-nationalists are hijacking religious themes to fuel their agenda. Progressives need to fight back By Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins and Anton Jäger, for The Guardian (*) Why are so many religious citizens drawn to the rhetoric of authoritarian …

By Khalid Al-Jaber and Giorgio Cafiero, for LobeLog (*) Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain’s football associations recently announced that they would participate in the Arabian Gulf Cup football tournament, which begins tomorrow. As many experts have …

New survey data shows that demonstrators feel more important, and prouder to be Iraqi, than before ! By Munqith Dagher, for The Washington Post (*) Iraq’s recent demonstrations are among the bloodiest protests in its modern history. Nearly 500 Iraqis …

As the government relaxes restrictions on men and women working and socializing together, coffeehouses are on the front lines of change. By Vivian Yee, for The New York Times (*) RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—For insight into these head-spinning times in Saudi …

The aim of this guide is to assist members of EuroMed Rights and other human rights NGOs to understand EU policies and decision-making structures, taking into account the changes introduced by the revision of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) since 2015, the EU …

By Agnes Helou, Journalist and writer, for Defense News (*) The so-called Arab NATO, a U.S.-led initiative, has the potential to address threats to the Gulf and the Middle East. So what is delaying the creation of such an alliance? An …

The decision to leave the oil cartel is aimed at reinforcing the country’s autonomy from its Persian Gulf neighbors. By Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, for The New York Times (*) The surprising declaration by Qatar about leaving OPEC on Jan. 1 …

Musical chairs in the Iraqi parliament can no longer solve the country’s problems. By John Hannah, for the Foreign Policy (*) The United States faces an increasingly urgent set of first-order policy questions in Iraq. Spoiler alert: The answer is …

The latest talks to resolve the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the future of a giant hydropower project on the Nile River are due to resume in Washington later. By Basillioh Mutahi, for BBC News (*) Last year a …

Since the Arab spring, in the face of high unemployment, 100,000 young people have left Tunisia. However, a growing number of startups and a culture of entrepreneurialism points to a brighter future for the country’s youth By Naomi Larsson, for …

These five factors make the difference between militaries that support autocracy and those that allow free elections. By Nathaniel Allen and Alexander Noyes, for The Washington Post (*) A cross Africa, long-standing dictators are losing their grip on power. In April alone, Sudan’s …

Once the lingua franca of the Arab world, Egypt’s dialect is in decline along with the country’s cultural and political leadership .. By A.V. , for Foreign Policy (*) THE END of January marks the start of the Cairo International …

On November 7, Morocco launched its first high-resolution observation satellite into orbit, causing concern among its neighbours Spain and Algeria. By Ghalia Kadiri, for Le Monde (*) Buying a satellite is usually a sign of a nation’s power, something to …

“Terrorist organisations like Isis capitalise on climate change to get new members” By Borzou Daragahi, for The Independent (*) The most volatile region in the world is about to be plunged into further chaos because of climate change, academics and …

“Certain states are using their position to secure unearned external income — refugee rent.” By Gerasimos Tsourapas, for The Washington Post (*) As the number of refugees globally reaches records, states are developing diverse yet similar strategies of linking their …

Regional outlook in Middle East & North Africa remains grim in the fight against corruption The Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 presents a grim reality in the Middle East and Northern Africa where, despite some incremental progress by a select few, …

King Abdullah of Jordan on Monday warned that ISIS was regrouping and was once again on the rise in the Middle East. Months after the ousting of ISIS last year from their last Syrian holdout, Abdullah said his “major concern …

By Roger Cohen, for The New York Times (*) BEIRUT — Lebanon was ahead of the game on civil war and now is last to the Arab Spring, or at least an Arab something — a vast, united exhalation of …

A long-awaited “deal” gives Israel’s right wing what it wants. Of the many proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian peace rolled out over the decades, circumstances made the one President Trump announced on Tuesday the hardest to take seriously. While Mr. Trump …

In partnership with the Council for MENA Affairs “ ForMENA” , the CoE Arabic Society organised the Arab Week between  11th and 16th April 2016 at the College of Europe in Bruges – Belgium . The countries represented were Egypt, …

Brussels – The Council for MENA affairs « ForMENA » hosted on Wednesday the 7th of September 2015 at its headquarters in Brussels, a delegation of 25 Arab diplomats representing the ministries of foreign affairs, international cooperation and planning in …

Communiqué de presse Paris – France, le 4 septembre 2016 FORMENA confirme sa pleine satisfaction des mesures prises par la Commission électorale palestinienne pour la préparation des élections des conseils locaux qui se tiendront le 8 octobre 2016 dans les …

By: King of Jordan Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein (*) In my previous five discussion papers, I put forward several ideas and visions related to Jordan’s political reform path. These included advancing crucial democratic practices, identifying the roles of stakeholders …

By: Robin Wright, for The New Yorker (*) In the Middle East, few men are pilloried these days as much as Sir Mark Sykes and François Georges-Picot. Sykes, a British diplomat, travelled the same turf as T. E. Lawrence (of …

Arabs make up just 5% of the world’s population, but they account for about half the world’s terrorism and refugees The Economist (*) IN DECEMBER 2010 Egypt’s cabinet discussed the findings of their National Youth Survey. Only 16% of 18-29-year-olds …

By: Tom Perry (editing by David Stamp) , for REUTERS (*) Twenty-six years after being forced from Lebanon’s presidential palace and into exile by the Syrian army, Michel Aoun is set to be elected head of state on Monday, backed …

By ; Younes Hassar, for International Policy Digest (*) Whole cities have been destroyed. Massacres and unspeakable atrocities have been visited upon an increasingly weary and desperate population. A growing flow of refugees and displaced persons wander across the roads …

By: By Remi Benoit Piet, for Al Arabiya English (*) The unexpected election of Donald Trump to the White House, as well as his unpredictable personality, have led to a series of worried reactions around the world and in particular …

« Muslims in Europe, uprooted from their societies, need the guidance of liberal scholarly religious leaders to offer solutions asserting values more than norms and judicial rules » By: Samar Fatany, for Saudi Gazette (*) According to French political scientist Professor Olivier …

The evolution of UN thinking on countering terrorism is part of the development of building an international capacity to shut down extremist networks. By: Dr. Theodore Karasik, for Al Arabiya English (*) The evolution of UN thinking on countering terrorism …

Report also criticises kingdom for failing to carry out independent inquiries into its bombing raids in Yemen By: Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor at The Guardian (*) Saudi Arabia has been accused of using anti-terror laws to suppress free expression and …

UN secretary general António Guterres tells humanitarian donors conference war-torn country is facing ‘a tragedy of immense proportions’ By: Saeed Kamali Dehghan and Karen McVeigh, for The Guardian (*) The UN has been promised half the amount requested for its …

Gulf Cooperation Council states consider transforming into a union to arm themselves against Iran’s increasing dominance and the growing instability in the Middle East. By: Giorgio Cafiero, for Al-Monitor (*) Citing “security problems, economic challenges and other serious issues confronted …

By Tom Finn and Fatma al-Arimi, for REUTERS (*) MUSCAT, Jan 9 Caught between two vast neighbours locked in a regional struggle, Oman has long been to the Middle East what neutral Switzerland is to global diplomacy. But now its …

Saudi women recently launched a hashtag calling for an end to male guardianship, which has been behind many of the physical and moral violations they face in Saudi society. By: Ibrahim al-Hatlani, for Al-Monitor (*) For three weeks now, the …

Press Agencies – Egypt – Prominent Islamic cleric and former deputy minster in the Endowments Ministry Salem Abdel Galil faces a lawsuit accusing him of contempt of religion and threatening national unity after he claimed last Thursday that Christians and …

Authorities in Algeria are desperate for a high turnout in order to shore up the legitimacy of an ailing political system By: Adlène Meddi, Algerian journalist and writer, for Middle East Eye (*) This week, Algerians will head to the …

The announcement of a new Cabinet in Morocco after months of difficulty revealed that the Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) may have had to pay a heavy price for compromise. By: Imad Stitou, for Al-Monitor (*) Now that Morocco …

Move would help army drive out Islamist group, says president as UN chief seeks extra $900m in aid for drought-hit country By: Patrick Wintour, Diplomatic editor, at The Guardian (*) The Somalian government has pleaded for world leaders to lift …

Often abandoned by their families and discriminated against in law, the odds are stacked against Tunisian women who have children out of wedlock By: Sarah Souli , for the Guardian (*) Tunisia is often hailed as a progressive Arab country, …

Empires leave behind a poisoned chalice not only for the subjects, but also for the rulers as the brouhaha over the French colonization of Algeria demonstrates. By: Atul Singh, Founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Fair Observer (*) Even by the …

Leaders Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar reportedly reach outline agreement for presidency council at meeting in UAE By: Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor, at The Guardian (*) Talks between leaders of the two largest rival factions in Libya appear to have …

The Council for MENA Affairs “ ForMENA” is horrified by the brutal and evil act of terrorism that hit Brussels and left number of victims between dead and wounded. The terrorist attacks in Brussels marked a very sad day for …

ForMENA strongly condemns and denounces the terrible terrorist attacks that hit many European and Arab cities, especially the latest attacks in Beirut, Paris and Tunis and before them, Ankara as well as the crash of the Russian airplane over the …

The European Union and the Arab World: from the Rome Treaty to the Arab Spring For many Europeans, the Arab World is seen, at best, as an oil well and a huge market and, at worst, as a turbulent and …

Report : Shackled Freedoms: What Space for Civil Society in the EuroMed? (*) This report depicts the obstacles and repression against civil society in the region and showcases first-hand accounts from Turkey, Egypt, Algeria, Syria, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian …

The sixth Arab Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme is entitled “Youth and the Prospects for Human Development in a Changing Reality.” The report provides an evidence-based overview of youth challenges and opportunities since 2011. The report …

On Tuesday 7th July, ForMENA started its Policy Lunch activities in Brussels, dedicating its first round of talks on the current Yemen crisis. Mr John O’Rourke, Head of Division – Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq, European External Action Service (EEAS) …

Press Release No.150625 Council for MENA Affairs “ForMENA”, is thoroughly following with major concern the regional and international diplomatic efforts aiming at resolving the Libyan crisis, especially: the second Libyan tribal leaders’ forum in Cairo on 25-28 May, the sixth …

Ref: E150505003 Council for MENA affairs (ForMENA) expresses its extreme concern regarding the current events in Yemen. In particular, we condemn the clear and obvious human rights violations and the disastrous deterioration of humanitarian and living conditions for the civilian …

Council for MENA Affairs (ForMENA) held a conference entitled “ISIS, jihadism and the threats to Europe” in Brussels on Monday, 20 April, 2015. The event was the last of a series of conferences that ForMENA has organized to discuss various aspects of the Islamic State. To …

On April 16th, ForMENA hosted our first conference in collaboration with the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the Maghreb Countries in the European Parliament in Brussels. Nearly a hundred people attended the event, led by MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, …

Press Release Ref: 150414002   Council for MENA affairs (ForMENA) expresses deep sorrow regarding the tragedy off the Libyan Coast which occurred on Saturday, 18th April, during which nearly 1,000 souls died in the course of a few minutes. Since …

“Arab Youth Survey finds declining support for extremist group but lack of jobs is seen as main issue driving terrorist recruitment” By: Ian Black Middle East editor at The Guardian (*) The vast majority of young Arabs are increasingly rejecting …

Press Release Ref:  E001150413 Council for MENA affairs (ForMENA) expresses serious concern regarding the violations and the breaches of the most basic human rights principles regarding Palestinian refugees in the Yarmouk Camp, Syria. Indeed, the suffering experienced by these refugees qualifies …

This programme monitors the development of freedoms and human rights levels in the Middle East and North Africa regions, by screening rights violations and democratic progress in those societies. This comes through establishing a specialised network of “civil society observers” …

This programme will work on reducing the intellectual and information gap between EU decision-makers and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, focusing on issues of common interest. The programme will work on bridging the gap at the …