Egyptians Turn Out in Droves On Election's First Day Despite the high turnout, the long lines stayed generally calm and organized on the second day of the Egyptian presidential. Although former prime minister and candidate Ahmed Shafiq was pelted with shoes and stones at a polling station Wednesday, disruptions remained minimal for such a charged event. Egypt
Iran Needs Nuclear Talks To Stabilize Currency In the lead-up to today’s negotiations in Baghdad, Iran has insisted it doesn't need a nuclear agreement with the international community and that its economy can survive more punishment. But one look at Iran’s currency suggests otherwise, writes Barbara Slavin. No government, however autocratic, can ignore its business interests. Iran
No Matter How Egypt Votes, Army Won't Simply Fade Away Egyptian academic Zeinab Abul-Magd says the upcoming presidential election will end the millitary's interim rule as expected. But in an interview with Al-Monitor's Sophie Claudet, Ms. Abul-Magd says the army will still control the country’s economy and politics. "The revolution is not over," she says. "The president won’t last." Egypt
Egypt's Copts Worry About Islamist Win Mona Makram-Ebeid, a former member of the Egyptian parliament, belongs to Egypt’s 10 million-strong Coptic minority. She supports one of the front-runners for the presidency, Amr Moussa, and tells Al-Monitor's Sophie Claudet in an interview that she fears an Islamist win "not only for the Copts, but for the liberals, the seculars, for everybody." Egypt
Time to Rethink US Strategy in Yemen A suicide bomb in Yemen that killed nearly 100 people on Monday gives pause to optimism surrounding US drone strikes in the country. Timothy Fairbank says it's time for a sober analysis of the growing al Qaeda threat in Yemen because the reality is many believe the US' narrow focus on counter-terrorism is destabilizing the country further. Yemen
Protester Caught in Dragnet Stays Hopeful for Egypt Election Outraged by mass arrests of activists, Ahmed Sabry joined their numbers — and was himself arrested, Sophie Claudet reports. He will appear before a military court like some 12,000 civilians since the revolution began, but hasn't lost hope. Military trials for civilians have become routine in Egypt, but most presidential hopefuls promise to suspend them. Egypt
In Cairo, as Historic Vote Nears, Excitement Mixed With Wariness Sophie Claudet reports from Cairo as Egypt's historic election approaches. Polls offer conflicting predictions for the balloting scheduled to begin Wednesday. Egypt
Open Letter From Shlomo Molla, Ethiopian-Israeli Knesset Member A open letter from the deputy speaker of the Knesset, Shlomo Molla, the only member of the Knesset from Ethiopian origin. Molla shares his worries about the hidden discrimination that Ethiopians face in education and Israeli society. Their welfare is our concern, he reminds Israel. Israel
Iran Economy Minister Warns: Sanctions 'Lose-Lose' Situation In an interview with Al-Monitor's Laura Rozen, Iran Economy Minister Shamseddin Hosseini said that Iran looks to make progress at upcoming talks and encouraged the West to continue negotiating with Khamenei's representatives. He warned that energy sanctions could hurt the economies of those imposing thems more than Tehran. Iran
Israel-Palestine Peace Process Will Return From the Dead The Mideast peace process may appear to be dead, but rest assured it will return, writes Aaron David Miller, former adviser to Republican and Democratic Secretaries of State on Arab-Israeli negotiations. When it does, it will bring back most of the illusions that have helped to prevent a deal. Palestine
New Education Bill Revives Koran Studies In Turkish Schools President Abdullah Gul approved a controversial reform bill that would allow optional Koran courses for children in school last month. The bill is being seen as a political tool for the ruling AKP party, writes Jody Sabral. While it re-introduces religion into schools, it also provides economic opportunities for the AKP. Turkey
Setbacks for Arab Women Have Outpaced Gains Women are in danger of losing social, political and economic gains made under previous regimes in the aftermath of the Arab Spring, writes Barbara Slavin. At a recent conference, experts presented a mixed picture in which setbacks for Arab women outnumber gains. The problem is not that Islam is anti-women, but rather male chauvinism in its interpretation. Originals
Iran Unsure What to Expect From Hollande's First Summit Reports from Tehran indicate animated debates among Iranian diplomats in anticipation of Francois Hollande’s inauguration as France’s president on Tuesday, with some speculating on the material impact his arrival will have on the nuclear summit scheduled to take place next week in Baghdad, writes Shahab Mossavat. Originals
United Arab Emirates Steps Up Arms Deals With US In recent months, the United Arab Emirates has taken the purchase of the latest US military gear to the next level, while throwing open its ports and airbases to American warships and fighter wings. Richard Sisk on the rush to defend against the threat of Iran. Originals
Muqtada Al-Sadr Resurgent, Key to Maliki's Future On April 28, four of Iraq’s top political leaders said they would move to withdraw confidence from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki if he does not accept their nine-point ultimatum. Andrew Parasiliti writes that a vote of no confidence won't be possible without Muqtada al-Sadr, who is not on board with any effort to depose Maliki. Originals
