FreedomsMedia Blog Posts

Lebanon’s Pulse on Perceptions of Freedoms

Upon the assassination of Lebanese researcher and political activist Lokman Slim, many have questioned whether or not freedom of expression is guaranteed in Lebanon. In Arab Barometer’s first survey of Wave 6, Lebanon placed last among countries surveyed in perceptions of freedoms.  

February 4, 2021

International Relations Blog Posts

U.S. & China’s competition extends to MENA

Globally, a new competition is taking place between the U.S. and China, which extends to the Middle East. China has taken an increasing role in the region, providing aid to governments for COVID-related relief, building on years of increased involvement in MENA through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). As the Trump administration has changed the terms of U.S. engagement,…

January 12, 2021

Religion Blog Posts

Devotion at Sub-National Level: Evidence from Ramadan Lights in Egypt*

Religion informs political attitudes and hence is consequential for understanding political beliefs and preferences. This is especially true for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) where religion is a formidable social force, ranging from its influence on the Arab Spring, various civil wars, the failure of democratization, and responses to COVID-19. Islam, especially, factors prominently in social, political, and…

January 8, 2021

COVID-19 Blog Posts

On Conducting Surveys in the Time of Corona: An Interview With Michael Robbins

Elevating the voices of Arab citizens is at the forefront of what we do at Arab Barometer. And, during uncertain times, listening to the needs and concerns of ordinary people is extremely important. As such, Arab Barometer research network recently completed a unique survey that captures the sentiments of Arab publics amid the unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic. However,…

January 4, 2021

COVID-19GovernanceHealthPolitical Institutions Blog Posts

Arabs’ Evaluations of their Governments’ Response to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic hit Arab governments in a difficult time when most were already under pressure. Economic crises and armed conflicts in some countries, like Libya and Syria, have had spill-over effects that continue to be felt across the region. Governments’ failure to address these challenges over the years had shaken the public’s trust in their rulers. The Arab Barometer’s…

December 17, 2020

CorruptionEconomyGovernancePolitical InstitutionsPolitical ParticipationPolitical SystemsSecurity Blog Posts

Taking Lebanon’s Pulse after the Beirut Explosion

Background In the sixth and latest wave of Arab Barometer, we asked 1,000 Lebanese citizens questions related to the Beirut port explosion and Lebanon’s political system. These results suggest that Lebanon’s economic crisis and poverty remain the top concerns of Lebanese citizens rather than the effects of the blast. And, although Lebanese prefer a civil state in theory, they are…

December 15, 2020

GovernanceInternational RelationsPolitical InstitutionsPolitical ParticipationSecurity Blog Posts

Two Thirds of Palestinians Demand The Resignation of President Abbas

Two thirds demand the resignation of president Abbas amidst a split around the resumption of coordination with Israel, with a majority expressing the view that Israel came out the winner, and fearing the step could expand Arab normalization deals with Israel and reduce the prospect for reconciliation and the holding of elections. However, the majority expresses optimism about the Joe…

December 15, 2020

International RelationsSecurityYouth Blog Posts

Taking Arabs’ Pulse on Normalization of Ties with Israel

On December 10, Morocco became the most recent country to initiate the normalization of relations with the State of Israel, following examples of the UAE, Bahrain, and Sudan earlier in 2020.  These peace treaties have broken a long-standing impasse with Israel across the region and will change the direction of international relations within MENA. While governments are actively engaging Israel,…

December 11, 2020

COVID-19Gender IssuesLabor MarketReligionYouth Blog Posts

COVID-19 Magnifies Pre-Existing Gender Inequalities in MENA

COVID 19 is being perceived as a disruptor, an accelerator and an agent for innovation and advancement in various fields across the world. Yet, its impact has been a decelerator for women’s rights and gender equality globally.  The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed warned that without immediate action, “the pandemic could set back women’s rights by decades”. And, the latest…

December 1, 2020

EducationGender Issues Blog Posts

Do urban Arabs support gender equality to a greater extent than rural Arabs do?

Traditional perceptions of gender roles continue to constrain women’s autonomy in household decision-making. Data from the Arab Barometer’s fifth wave of surveys show that 60 percent of Arabs agree or strongly agree with the following statement, “Husbands should have final say in all decisions concerning the family”. The proportions of citizens who agree with husbands having final say, vary by…

November 23, 2020

COVID-19GovernancePolitical InstitutionsPolitical ParticipationPolitical Systems Blog Posts

Jordan’s Stubborn Insistence on “Business As Usual”

Jordan, like much of the rest of the world, has struggled to manage the challenges and difficulties 2020 delivered. The country’s reeling economy was dealt a crippling blow by the closures and restrictions related to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The tradeoff between economic prosperity and public health seemed to have initially been worthwhile, as Jordan’s performance in combatting…

November 16, 2020

International Relations Blog Posts

Arabs Do Not Support A Second Trump Victory

We asked Arab citizens across MENA about their preferred US presidential candidate and their opinion of the US. And the results reveal clear preferences within the election. Overall, Arab citizens think Biden’s foreign policies would be better for the region. And, the U.S.’s image suffers, in part as majorities in the Arab world express unfavorable views of Trump’s approach. That is based…

November 1, 2020