A barometer to test democracy in the Arab World

A recent survey done in over 7 MENA region countries shows that Arabs want democracy but think it'll take time and less religious influence; a push to drive out Assad by the year's end; and Israel prevents some Palestinians from taking the SATs.

How much and how quick do these countries want a democracy for themselves?

Abu Aardvark [2]

A Barometer for Arab Democracy

The survey's findings on religion broadly accord with the Pew survey that support for Islamist views of politics is receding rather than surging. They show that Arabs continue to strongly support democracy as the best form of government, even as understandings of democracy continue to evolve, while Islamism at the time of the survey seemed to be receding rather than advancing with broad Arab publics.

Arab Saga [3]

“Push to drive Assad out by year’s end”

In view of that, an unnamed U.S. official “who knows Syria best” expects Assad to be out by year’s end at the cost of an extra “50,000 casualties.

State of Mind [4]

Pity the Nation

A lament for those stuck in war and who see no hope, even for their own children.

Plus 961 [5]

Cart advertising at TSC

I noticed the other day that TSC mounted some LCD screens on their shopping carts to display advertisements while people are using them.

The Crimson [6]

Israel vs. No. 2 Pencils

As countless students around the world took the SAT a week ago, Palestinians from the West Bank could not join their ranks. The October SAT exam was cancelled for students in the West Bank: The Israeli authorities held the exams sent by the College Board for weeks, not releasing the tests to AMIDEAST’s office in Ramallah.