Tunisians Demonstrate for Rape Victim, Women's Rights Hundreds of Tunisians protested in support of a woman who was allegedly raped by two policemen last month. The crowd gathered in Tunis, where the alleged raped victim was summoned by a judge. They denounced Tunisia’s worsening rights record, slamming the Islamist-led government for not doing enough to protect women. Tunisia
Ahmadinejad's Proposals Shouldn't Be Dead on Arrival The Iranian president's proposals for defusing the nuclear crisis and ending the civil war in Syria matter, writes Andrew Parasiliti for Al-Monitor. Let's offer to sell Iran enriched uranium in return for a halt in enrichment, and encourage the emerging regional consensus about the need for a negotiated outcome for Syria and a role for Iran. Iran
Egypt to US: Era of 'Yes, Sir' Has Ended Egyptian diplomat Amr Moussa tells Al-Monitor's Cale Salih in an exclusive interview that although strong US-Egypt relations are in the best interests of his country, he hopes Egypt will find itself in a position to say no to the US when necessary. Moussa also defended President Morsi, his one-time foe, praising his achievements in office. Egypt
No Arab Spring Without the 'Flower’ of Women’s Rights Nearly two years after the start of Arab Spring uprisings, Arab women are facing the reality that toppling dictators was only the beginning of their fight for freedom and equality. Barbara Slavin reports from a recent conference, during which a group of young Arab women activists discussed and debated these challenges. Saudi Arabia
Is Ahmadinejad Facing a Final Showdown with Rafsanjani? As Iranian President Ahmadinejad loses influence and the support of the ruling elite, his arch-enemy, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, may be due for a political comeback. Shahir Shahidsaless writes that the "comfortable and confident" former president offers solutions to Iran's crisis, and may well have won the support of the Supreme Leader. Iran
Why Syrian Kurds Need Syrian Allies At first glance, Syrian Kurds have benefited from their country’s ongoing crisis, writes Denise Natali for Al-Monitor. Yet, a deeper look at the shifting dynamics of the Syrian upheaval reveals a more uncertain scenario for the Kurds. The Syrian Kurdish unrest is as much a contest over regional leadership as it is over Kurdish autonomy. Syria
Egypt Woos Iran To Resolve Syria Crisis A regional approach to stopping the violence in Syria is needed, writes Mohammad Ali Shabani. Egyptian President Morsi seeks to bring together Egypt, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia to devise a political solution. But Iran's receptiveness to this effort should not be seen as reflecting a softening on Syria. Saudi Arabia
Yes, Ahmadinejad Talked With Me On Monday, the office of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied that the Iranian president was interviewed by Al-Monitor. "Imagine my surprise to read that," Barbara Slavin writes — as she was there. She asked him questions, he answered them and she and other journalists taped the encounter. Iran
Lebanon's Energy Minister Welcomes US as a 'Real Player' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Gebran Bassil, Lebanon’s minister of energy and water, said he welcomes US involvement in the emerging energy opportunities in Lebanon and hopes the US will decide to become a “real player” in the Eastern Mediterranean. Bassil said American companies already are among those who have invested in the discoveries. Lebanon
Is Egypt's Trial of NGOs Setback for Democracy? In December, Egyptian police raided the Cairo offices of 10 NGOs, including four American ones, accusing them of improperly filing registration paperwork and receiving illegal money from outside the country for political campaigns. Al-Monitor's Tulin Daloglu interviewed Robert Becker, one of the two Americans staying to fight the charges. Egypt
