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Dear Friends,
Greetings from the Project on Middle East Democracy!
Last week, a senior State Department official visited Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., while State Department officials in Washington announced the opening of the Middle East Transitions office. Syrian unrest continued as activists formed the Syrian National Council. Meanwhile, Algeria loosened longstanding media restrictions, as Iran and Egypt tightened constraints on their press. In Libya, Mahmoud Jibril gave his first public address calling for unity and moderation. In Yemen, protesters took to the streets in response to Saleh's succession proposal, while Bahraini protesters continue to be targeted with excessive violence. Look for next week to be dominated by discussions regarding human rights in Iran in the wake of Ahmadinejad's visit to the United Nations, and ongoing unrest in Bahrain amid by-elections on Friday to fill seats vacated by the opposition in protest of the government crackdown.
For more detailed coverage of the debates surrounding U.S. foreign policy and the prospects for democracy in the Middle East, be sure to check out our blog, the POMED Wire.
Also, POMED's Weekly Wire is now available in Arabic - to register to receive the Arabic version by email, please click here.
The Weekly Wire
Legislation
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the Pan Am 103 Accountability Act, which requires President Barack Obama to “continue any investigative activities of Federal agencies with regard to the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 and any terrorist attacks attributable to the government of Muammar Gadhafi against United States citizens.” The legislation is currently being co-sponsored by both sets of U.S. Senators from New Jersey and New York.
Committee Hearings
The House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on Wednesday (9/14) on the issue of U.S. financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority and more broadly, to the United Nations. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) chaired the committee hearing, where she stated that the purpose of the hearing was to “address the troubling turn of events regarding the PA’s activity.
From Washington
New Middle East Transitions Office Opens at Department of State: The U.S. Department of State opened a new Middle East Transitions (MET) office this week. William Taylor will spearhead MET with the support of Tamara Cofman Wittes, who will serve as deputy. Karen Volker will hold the position of Taylor’s chief-of-staff. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs J effrey Feltman and Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns will be Taylor’s immediate superiors.
Senate Appropriations Announces FY 2012 International Affairs Budget: The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations announced last week an allocation of $44.6 billion for the State and Foreign Operations budget in fiscal year 2012, $3.5 billion less than was allocated in FY 2011 and $6 billion less than requested by President Obama.
Deputy Secretary Burns Visits Saudi Arabia and U.A.E.: U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns visited Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. this week. During his visit, he met with Assistant Minister of the Interior Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. Burns reaffirmed a “firm and enduring commitment” to Gulf security.
Analysis: Emergency Law Renewed in Egypt; Turkey’s Role in the Region: David Schenker asserted that Washington's influence is becoming less of a factor in Egypt. Human Rights First reported that the renewal of the emergency law runs counter to the Egyptian people’s demands. Robert Satloff argued the chances the revolution takes an “anti-democratic turn” are “frighteningly high.” Amnesty International noted "the Egyptian military authorities’ expansion of the emergency law is the greatest erosion of human rights since the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak earlier this year." In other analysis, Brian Whitaker wrote that despite Turkey’s growing notoriety among Arab nations, the Turkish practice of avoiding conflict with their Arab peers may no longer be a viable policy. Additionally, James Traub reflected on American policy in the Middle East from 9/11 onward.
Senator “Standing for Human Rights," Highlights Iran: Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) published the first edition of his newsletter entitled “Standing for Human Rights,” which noted a bicameral bill that aiming “to deny the Iranian regime the ability to oppress the people of Iran.” Ariel Zirulnick suggested that the conflicting statements regarding the American hikers’ release may reflect Iran’s internal power struggle. The International Campaign for Human Rights urged the U.N. to hold Ahmadinejad accountable for Iran’s ongoing human rights crisis. Amnesty International’s Philip Luther stated that Iranian authorities must stop treating detained American hikers as “pawns, both in their dealings with the U.S. government and in domestic political rivalries."
 Senators Argue Against "A Troop Drawdown That Would Fail Iraq": Recent media reports suggest that the Obama administration has made a decision to reduce the number of troops in Iraq early next year. Senators John McCain (R-AR), Joe Lieberman (I-CT), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) argued in an op-ed that "such an approach would disregard the recommendations of our military commanders, jeopardize Iraq’s tenuous stability and needlessly put at risk all of the hard-won gains the United States has achieved there at enormous cost in blood and treasure."Ambassador James Jeffrey and General Lloyd Austin stated there still exist significant gaps in capability in the Iraqi Security Forces that cannot be closed before the end of 2011.
America Must Champion Democracy Abroad: Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) delivered a speech emphasizing the need for America to “champion the cause of freedom—not only with the power of our example but also with our money and our resources, our ingenuity and our diplomacy, and on rare occasion […] our armed might.” Rubio criticized President Obama‘s “lead from behind” strategy in Libya, and pressed for reform among allies: “Even in countries such as Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, we simply do not have the luxury of endorsing the status quo.” Finally, Rubio highlighted the importance of continuing to fund the defense and foreign aid budgets despite the deficit and the need to cut expenses.
US Condemns Syria Over Killing of Rights Activist: State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland issued a press release stating that the “United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of Syrian human rights activist Ghiyath Mattar while in the custody of Syrian Security Forces.” Nuland also reiterated the call for Assad to “step aside.” Sophia Jones, writing at Foreign Policy Magazine, obtained a document outlining the Syrian National Council's structure, membership, and goals, as well as a "National Consensus Charter," outlining the guiding principles.
Also Worth Reading
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton introduced the State Department's annual International Religious Freedom Report, stating that “it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of a peaceful society that respects the rights and dignity of each individual.” : In the run up to next month’s election, all leading Tunisian political parties were expected to sign a document “limiting to one year the term of the new constituent assembly and outlining how a president and prime minister will be appointed.” In light of the anxiety surrounding the Nahda Party, the party released a political platform to allay these fears, which occured in conjunction with the arrival of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tunis.
“Crimes Continue Against Pro-Democracy Citizens” in Bahrain, New Arms Deal Proposed: Sheik Isa Qassim stated that the regime has designated those asking for rights as “enemies of state," while Brian Murphy reported that Shiite workers suspected of supporting the pro-democracy movement in Bahrain continue to be purged. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights condemned the “systematic vandalism and robbery at gunpoint” committed by security forces and army against protesters. The Center also expressed concern over the detention of pro-opposition students and teachers. Rabah Ghezali noted that “Bahrain’s uprising did not receive the same attention as other revolts.” Additionally, Anthony Shadid reported that clashes between Bahraini youths and police have raged nearly every night and will continue. A funeral precession held for Jawad Marhun, who died of overexposure from tear gas, was attacked by Bahraini security forces. The increased violence by Bahraini security forces come ahead of planned parliamentary elections next week. German defense news website defpro.com has reported the Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress of a potential arms deal with Bahrain to purchase approximately $53 million worth of military equipment and parts.
 Arab League Demands Change in Syria: The Arab League released a statement demanding “immediate change” in Syria, calling for Bashar al-Assad to enact measures discussed with Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi. The E.U. expanded sanctions on al-Assad’s regime as Russia rejected further sanctions after the U.N. announced a rising death toll. U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford attended the funeral of Syrian human rights activist Giyath Matar. A group of Syrian activists announced the formation of a Syrian National Council (SNC) as a united front against President Bashar al-Assad. The GCC also called for ”an immediate end to the killing machine” in Syria. 200 dissidents met outside Damascus to unite key opposition figures. Dr. Samir Aita attended the Damascus meeting and said "the importance of this meeting lies in the fact that it is happening in Damascus.” According to the Local Coordination Committee "since the beginning of the uprising 761 people have been killed in Homs, 594 in Deraa, and 350 in Hama."
Yemen: Widespread Demonstrations Protest Saleh’s Announcement: “Hundreds of thousands” of Yemeni protesters took to the streets in response to President Ali Abdullah Saleh‘s announcement that he granted his Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi “the necessary constitutional authority to negotiate” the peaceful handover of power. According to the Associated Press, Saleh retained the right to cancel any deal. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission warned of ”widespread fear that a civil war was looming”, and the main political opposition doubted that the decree “irrevocably” empowered Vice President Hadi.
Algeria Loosens Constraints on Media, Egypt and Iran Move to Tighten Control: In a move to defuse popular anger, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria approved a series of media reforms as a way to boost democracy in Algeria. The offices of Al Jazeera Egyptian affiliate Mubasher Misr were raided and shut down by security forces in plain clothes, as the SCAF announced its plans to reinstate emergency law. In response, hundreds gathered in Tahrir Square to protest. Imam Gomaa Mohammed called on authorities to repeal the law. Meanwhile, the judge in the Battle of the Camel trial prohibited live coverage of the trial, as Egypt’s former intelligence chief Omar Suleiman gave testimony in the trial of former President Hosni Mubarak. Meanwhile, the family of jailed Iranian journalist Isa Saharkhiz wrote to Iran’s judiciary to complain that he is being subjected to “inhumane treatment.” Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also announced his plan to release two American hikers.
Israeli Embassy in Jordan Evacuated Ahead of Protests: The Israeli embassy in Amman was evacuated in anticipation of a planned “Million Man March to Close the Israeli Embassy in Jordan.” The protest drew a turnout of 200 demanding closure of the embassy. A diplomatic cable released by Wikileaks, which sparked a protest outside the U.S. embassy, apparently reignited rifts in Jordanian society. U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said she hoped to “avoid any spillover into the larger region.” The Black Iris reported that the East-bankers/West-bankers divide is "in full bloom these days as a result of the Arab Spring."
TNC Tries to Unify Libya as Islamists Push for More Power: As Libyan rebels advanced on Sirte, Islamists in Libya pushed for more power and focused their attention on the TNC Chairman Mahmoud Jibril, who urged unity. Mustafa Abdul Jalil issued a statement calling for unity and moderation, while the TNC condemned human rights abuses committed during the conflict. However, reports surfaced about the unwarranted detention of African immigrants throughout Libya, a practice the State Department denounced. Khaled Kaim, Libya’s former deputy foreign minister stated in an interview that attempts to get Gadhafi to compromise were met with ”stubbornness.” Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman met with TNC leaders in Tripoli which he described as "remarkably normal in atmosphere." Feltman also noted the U.S. would likely be one of several nations willing to help with military training but neither the U.S. nor the TNC would agree to the presence of "combat boots on the ground."
American Hikers’ Fate in Iran Undecided, Prince Turki al-Faisal Threatens Weakened US-Saudi Ties: Oman has assumed the role as the "honest broker" after playing a role in releasing American hiker Sarah Shourd in 2010. Last week, negotiations took place regarding a $1 million "bail-for-freedom" agreement to free the imprisoned hikers. The release of the two jailed American hikers in Iran, Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal, was delayed because one of the judges was on vacation. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said last week he intended to grant the hikers a "unilateral pardon" and release the two men after being charged for espionage. Prince Turki al-Faisal warned that if the U.S. vetoes Palestine’s bid for statehood in the U.N., ”the little credibility [the U.S.] has in the Arab world” will likely be lost and the “special relationship” between the United States and Saudi Arabia will be in jeopardy.
In Case You Missed It
 On Monday (9/12), the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Gulf Research Council (GRC) hosted an event entitled “ Ten Years After 9/11: Managing U.S.-Saudi Relations.” The first panel, entitled “September 11 and Issue of Terrorism,” included Mustafa Alani, Gregory Gause, and Christopher Boucek,and was moderated by Christian Koch.The second panel, entitled “The Arab Spring and the Issue of Political Reform” consisted of Abdulaziz Sager, Charles W. Freeman, Jr., and Marina Ottaway, and was moderated by Marwan Muasher.
On Tuesday (9/13), the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) and the National Security Network (NSN) hosted an event entitled “ The Arab Uprisings and the United Nations” with Dr. James Zogby, Geneive Abdo and Ted Piccone. The event was moderated by Heather Hurlburt, with a welcome by Stephen McInerney, executive director at POMED. Full video of the event is available here.
The Weekly Wire is compiled by POMED Policy team members Alex Kraynak, Todd Ruffner, Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff, and Patricia Stottlemye
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