September Issue of MERIA Journal

Here is the table of contents for the September issue of the MERIA Jounal--some interesting articles. Enjoy.

Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal, Vol. 11, No. 3 (September 2007), Table of Contents:
Editor and Publisher: Professor Barry Rubin
Assistant Editors: Yeru Aharoni, Anna Melman

1. Adel Guindy, "Family Status Issues among Egypt's Copts: A Brief Overview"
Abstract: The following article discusses the impact of the Egyptian Family Status Law of 1955 (which is still in effect) on the country's Coptic population. It provides a concise overview of these laws, especially in light of the dearth of resources in English on the topic. While the Family Status Law is considered part of the "civil" code of law, it still has religious elements, referring to the Shari'a as a basis for Muslims, and to the corresponding religious principles or regulations for each of the non-Muslim communities. However, due to the general constitutional stipulation "Islam is the religion of State and principles of Shari'a are the main source of legislation," courts quite often ignore the law and rule based on Shari'a. Thus the situation is a reflection of the difficulties of being a non-Muslim minority in an "Islamic" country and society.

2. Panel Discussion, "The Future of Lebanon"
Abstract: The U.S. Department of State's International Information Programs (IIP) in Washington D.C., the Public Affairs Office at the U.S. Embassy in Israel, and the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center jointly held an international videoconference seminar focusing on both domestic and foreign affairs in Lebanon. Israeli and U.S. experts examined the balance of and struggle for power in the country, external factors, and future prospects.

3. Matt Crosston, "The Hizb al-Tahrir in Central Asia: How America Misreads Islamist Threats"
The following article examines and analyzes the philosophical underpinnings of the Hizb al-Tahrir in Central Asia . It does so to highlight a larger, more important theoretical and policy point: The United States , in its global war against terror, has improperly defined what constitutes a legitimate Islamist threat. As a result, it mislabels many Islamist groups that do constitute a real security threat to the United States and to democratic regimes in general.

4. Wolfgang Schwanitz, "Germany's Middle East Policy"
At times of peace, Germany ’s Middle East policy has historically taken a secondary position—one subordinate to Germany ’s primary policy toward Europe and America . While of secondary importance, it was a tool that could be used to manipulate the Middle Eastern Question by playing off Western powers against each other. Berlin’s goal was a peaceful penetration of the Ottoman Empire, and it had no colonial aspirations in the region. During the world wars, however, Berlin elevated its Middle East policy to primary status by instigating jihad in the enemy’s hinterland. Yet in recent years, Berlin has sought out policies on Middle East peace and Islam fitting the European framework.

5. Ibrahim al-Marashi, "Disbanding and Rebuilding the Iraqi Army: The Historical Perspective"
In 1921, the Iraqi Army was established in the British mandate, which had weak democratic institutions at the time of the first insurgency. The Iraqi public saw that its destiny was controlled by the British, whom it believed sought to exploit the country's natural resources. In a backlash of nationalism, the public projected its aspirations for complete independence on the growing army. After 2003, the Americans reestablished an army in a state with weak democratic institutions during a period of civil internal conflict, and 82 years after the British mandate, the United States controlled Iraq 's destiny. Both the United Kingdom and the United States faced the same difficulties and produced the same reactions among the Iraqi public as they tried to create an Iraqi Army from "scratch."

6. Bill Bache, "Transferring American Values to Iraq"
The President of the United States expressed his desire to build a democratic Iraq that could serve as an example to the rest of the Arab and Islamic nations. The American military was the instrument chosen to build an Iraqi security structure that could fight terrorism and still promote ethical leaders and democratic values. However, efforts to transfer American military values to Iraq have been a failure. The leaders of the Iraqi Joint Security Forces have politely listened to what the Americans have determined is best for them and then have gone back to doing what they feel is best for them—namely situational leadership, corruption, and human rights violations.

7. Heymi Bahar, "The Real Winners and Losers of Turkey's July 2007 Election"
The July 2007 Turkish parliamentary elections were a major victory for the governing Justice and Development Party (AKP), entrenching it in power. By the same token, the historic center-right parties virtually disappeared, the left stagnated, and the number of nationalist MHP and independent Kurdish members increased. This article lays out the reasons both for the AKP’s success as well as the performance of other forces.

8. Isaac Kfir, "The Crisis of Pakistan: A Dangerous Weak State"
This paper explores several key elements undermining the viability of the Pakistani state: Islamism, tribalism, ethno-nationalism, and quasi-secularism. The demands of each of these movements are difficult to reconcile with the needs of the others. At the same time, these movements exert pressure on a very weak government and state system. Hence, the author argues that unless the current regime undertakes substantial structural reforms, Pakistan may come apart at the seams, with dire consequences for regional and international stability.

9. Barry Rubin, "How the Arab Regimes Defeated the Liberalization Challenge"
This article examines democratization efforts in the Arab world and how governments neutralized, utilized, or adjusted to them. The reactions of Islamists and the liberal movements themselves are also examined. In general, the regimes were able to defeat the demands for reform by using a number of classical techniques and new adaptations.

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