MidEast Brief::Development

This study, through qualitative sources, provides insights into a chain of events that have and are moderating social behavior and gender relations associated with work. The study also captures what the deteriorating situation has meant for Palestinian females and males of all ages in terms of their economic engagement, their ability to seek alternate livelihoods, their coping strategies, their social and human investments (for example, education, marriage), and their future aspirations.

Gaza: Treading on Shards

Sara Roy

The Nation - February, 2010

The decline and disablement of Gaza's economy and society have been deliberate, the result of state policy--consciously planned, implemented and enforced. Although Israel bears the greatest responsibility, the United States and the European Union, among others, are also culpable, as is the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank. All are complicit in the ruination of this gentle place. And just as Gaza's demise has been consciously orchestrated, so have the obstacles preventing its recovery.

Why Are there No Arab Democracies?

Larry Diamond

Journal of Democracy - January, 2010

As I will explain, answering the riddle of the Arab democracy deficit does involve political economy--as well as geopolitics. And it demands analysis of the internal political structures of Arab states. But first it requires dispensing with assumptions that cannot stand the test of evidence.

Plan for All Seasons

Issandr Amrani

The National - January, 2010

The premise that underpins all these suggestions is that the United States is undercommitted to the region, and that a new Marshall Plan will demonstrate the country's resolve to really fix things once and for all. But the tenets of Marshallplanism are already at the heart of American policy.

Troubled Waters - Palestinians Denied Fair Access to Water

Amnesty International - October, 2009

Lack of access to adequate, safe, and clean water has been a longstanding problem for the Palestinian population of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Though exacerbated in recent years by the impact of drought-induced water scarcity, the problem arises principally because of Israeli water policies and practices which discriminate against the Palestinian population of the OPT.

"Fixing Broken Windows": Security Sector Reform in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen"

Yezid Sayigh

Carnegie Endowment - October, 2009

Although important, development assistance aimed at reforming the security sectors in Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen has achieved only limited results. The bulk of such aid has consisted of military training and equipment, which does nothing to ensure that security forces answer to legitimate civilian leaders.

Grading Places

Marc Lynch

The National - July, 2009

The report casts a wide net, with chapters devoted to seven areas where threats to human security are prevalent: the environment, the authoritarian state, vulnerable populations such as women and refugees, unemployment and poverty, hunger and food shortages, health, and occupation and military intervention.

The Arab World: Waking from its Sleep

The Economist - July, 2009

Snapshot of the Economic Crisis

Intissar Fakir

Arab Reform Bulletin, Carnegie Endowment - July, 2009

Arab Human Development Report 2009 - Challenges to Human Security in the Arab Countries

ReliefWeb - July, 2009

Assessment of Restrictions on Palestinian Water Sector Development

World Bank - April, 2009

Beyond Reconstruction: What Lies Ahead for Young Palestinians?

Navtej Dhillon

Brookings Institute - March, 2009