The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Author:  National Democratic Institute Publisher:  National Democratic Institute Published Date:  01/02/2012 Resource Type:  Press Release Language:  English, Arabic

Source:  The Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/29/2011 David Kramer, president of Freedom House, one of organizations raided by Egyptian security forces on Dec. 29, writes that the raids were an unprecendented assault and that the timing — just days before the final round of lower parliament elections — is noteworthy. Kramer also writes that Egypt's military has "hijacked the revolution," and the international community must respond to the raids, suggesting the United States threaten to end military assistance in Egypt until "such behavior ceases."

Source:  Winnipeg Free Press Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/28/2011 NDI's Les Campbell, regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, compares 2011's Arab Spring to the fall of the Berlin Wall in this article about the Tunisian spark that started the protests across the region. "These are tectonic shifts," said Campbell of the changes in Arab governance. "It was unimaginable a couple of years ago. But at the same time it has been a long time coming. ... This is about human dignity and people not wanting to take it anymore."

Source:  Los Angeles Times Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/21/2011 Author Sarah Chayes highlights a conversation she had with a newly elected member of the Tunisian parliament in this Los Angeles Times editorial. Chayes illustrates the interactions between the left-leaning and secular opposition member and his constituents as well as the questions he grapples with regarding governance in Tunisia.

Source:  Foreign Policy Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/16/2011 James Traub's column, which includes a quote from NDI President Ken Wollack, grapples with the concept that "elections don't make a democracy, but they can make a democratic citizenry."

Source:  The Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/16/2011 Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency and author of The Case for Democracy, writes that, in response to recent Egyptian elections, Western support for democracy in Egypt should focus on a free civil society and not a policy that considers Egyptian democracy's end as "already in sight."

Source:  Los Angeles Times Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/05/2011 "So why have Egyptians gone against expectations, and what does the future hold in the postelection era?" Ahmed Zewail, the Egyptian-raised, 1999 Nobel laureate in chemistry asks in this editorial. The answer, he writes, is that three out of four "pillars of change" are being addressed, which has led to Egypt's tranformation.

Source:  The Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/02/2011 Washington Post editor Jackson Diehl writes that, based on conversations with Islamist political leaders, the ascendency of Islamist political parties such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is not as worrisome as some in the West believe. The biggest indicator of this, Diehl writes, is the renouncement of violence by these groups.

Source:  The New York Times Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  12/01/2011 This New York Times editorial writes that, as Egyptians yet again prove their spirit and resilience during the recent elections, their struggle for democratic rule persists. Serious questions regarding governance and respect for voters remain, the editorial states, adding that first-round results will hopefully inspire parties to work hard and ensure their voices are heard in parliament.   

Source:  The Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  11/30/2011 The Washington Post Editorial Board writes that, as Egyptians voted just a few days ago, we should be reminded that Islamic political parties are not always enemies of democracy. For example, in October, Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda party won a majority of the popular vote, and it is showing itself to be committed to open political participation, the board writes. "In any true Arab democracy, Islamist parties will win a lot of votes. As long as they are willing to play by the rules, those parties should not be treated as a specter to be feared."