COVID-19EconomyEducationFreedomsGender IssuesInternational Relations Blog Posts

Taking Tunisians’ Pulse : Key findings from AB6 survey 2020-2021

The July 2021 political events in Tunisia were not entirely unexpected given the country’s ongoing challenges on a number of fronts.  Deteriorating economic conditions combined with the high death toll from the COVID pandemic crystalized failure of the political system to address the basic problems facing ordinary Tunisians.  The failure to undertake needed reforms over the past decade produced a…

January 10, 2022

COVID-19FreedomsMediaPolitical Participation Infographics

Freedoms in MENA in the times of COVID-19

December 17, 2021

International Relations Blog Posts

Fragile Popularity: Arab Attitudes Towards China

In recent years, China’s engagement in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has been rapidly increasing.  At least 17 MENA countries have signed agreements as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).  Meanwhile, in response to the COVID pandemic, Chinese vaccines have been secured by a number of countries across the region while China has promised aid to…

December 15, 2021

EconomyInternational RelationsSecurity Blog Posts

Libya’s Pulse on the Eve of the Libya Stabilization Conference

The Libya Stabilization Conference, hosted in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on October 21, 2021 is the first Libya-related international conference to take place inside the war-torn country since civil war broke out in 2014. According to the Libyan foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, the conference will focus on two tracks: the first is security and the second is economic recovery. The…

October 20, 2021

COVID-19International Relations Blog Posts

Across the Maghreb, support for all outside actors, including China and Russia, remains low

This piece is part of a four-part series published by the Middle East Institute in cooperation with Arab Barometer analyzing the results of the sixth wave of the Arab Barometer surveys. In recent years, China and Russia have gradually increased their influence in the Maghreb. The two powers, relative newcomers to the regional scene compared to Europe and the U.S., have…

September 30, 2021

COVID-19EconomyHealth Blog Posts

Algeria: Amid concerns about the pandemic and its economic impact, some optimism for the future

This piece is part of a four-part series published by the Middle East Institute in cooperation with Arab Barometer analyzing the results of the sixth wave of the Arab Barometer surveys. The Arab Barometer’s survey results for Algeria paint the picture of a population understandably worried about the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact. In surveys carried out in the country…

September 30, 2021

CorruptionCOVID-19EconomyEducationGovernanceHealth Blog Posts

Facing COVID-19 in Morocco: Satisfaction with the economy does not preclude the need for more jobs and anti-corruption efforts

This piece is part of a four-part series published by the Middle East Institute in cooperation with Arab Barometer analyzing the results of the sixth wave of the Arab Barometer surveys. As soon as the first signs of the health crisis caused by COVID-19 appeared in North Africa, Morocco took swift and decisive action, implementing health, economic, security, and social measures…

September 29, 2021

COVID-19EconomyGovernanceLabor MarketPolitical InstitutionsPolitical Systems Blog Posts

In surveys, Tunisians tell of continuous economic grievances

This piece is part of a four-part series published by the Middle East Institute in cooperation with Arab Barometer analyzing the results of the sixth wave of the Arab Barometer surveys. The latest round of public opinion surveys conducted by Arab Barometer confirms that the deterioration of the economy — or more specifically a continuing collapse in living standards —…

September 28, 2021

Blog Posts

The Art of Storytelling: Improving Data Quality and Usage

Storytelling is a powerful tool that researchers can adopt to engage participants, stakeholders, and others, as it produces an effective mode of communication that can inspire interest and push for collective action. As of March 2020 and due to Covid-19, the global shift to work from home and remote research efforts sparked growing challenges about data collection, particularly for marginalized…

September 21, 2021

EconomyEnvironmentFreedomsGender IssuesInternational RelationsSecurity Blog Posts

U.S. Assistance to MENA

Since 1946, the U.S. is estimated to have provided more than $346 billion dollars of assistance to countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.  This aid goes to a variety of causes, including military, humanitarian, and developmental causes. However, many ordinary citizens across the region hold suspicions about the true intent from Western countries like the United…

August 19, 2021

CorruptionEconomyGovernancePolitical Systems Blog Posts

Tunisia’s Democratic Pulse

As Tunisia’s major political crisis unfolds, some commentators have argued that the country’s citizens never wanted democracy in the first place.  However, data from Arab Barometer presents a different picture. In recently conducted surveys from the Arab Barometer’s sixth wave, a majority of Tunisians say that democracy is always preferable to other forms of government compared to just a quarter…

July 29, 2021

CorruptionCOVID-19EconomyEducationGovernanceHealthLabor MarketPolitical InstitutionsSocial Justice Blog Posts

Tunisia’s protracted governance crisis

Tunisia, often referred to as the democratic success story coming out of the Arab Spring, has experienced what some are calling a coup following President Kais Saied’s decision to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspend parliament. Others say that the president has acted legally under article 80 of Tunisia’s constitution, setting up a significant constitutional crisis. Rached Ghannouchi, the…

July 26, 2021