Analyzes the state of Egypt’s economy two years after the spring revolution and the reasons for deteriorating conditions.  Also describes negotiations between Egypt and the International Monetary Fund over policy reforms demanded in exchange for loan funds and the U.S. role in an IMF decision.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Reviews the purpose of UNESCO, the history of friction which led the U.S. to withdraw from 1984-2003, the reform efforts that caused it to return, and recent concern over membership for Palestine which led the U.S. to withhold contributions.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides background information on the boycott of Israeli companies and goods maintained by the 22 countries of the Arab League since 1948 and on U.S. efforts to end its enforcement.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the U.S. Department of State Foreign Press Center

South Korea has transformed itself from being a purchaser of turnkey nuclear plants in the 1970s to a major nuclear technology supplier after a recent contract was signed with the United Arab Emirates.  This report discusses how South Korean nuclear development is tied to U.S. firms and subject to U.S. export controls.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Describes past U.S. foreign aid for the Palestinians, the objectives for such aid, reasons behind opposition, and issues for Congress in determining future aid.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides a brief overview of key issues for Congress related to current relations with Egypt and details about U.S. foreign assistance.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Examines the chemical and biological weapons that Syria is known to have and assesses the damage that could be done if the weapons were used by the government against the rebels or if they were passed to other groups.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Press release on the vote (138-9 with 41 abstentions) in the United Nations General Assembly to grant Palestin observer state status.  From the United Nations

Discusses how recent events have increased concerns about Israel’s security especially with regard to Iran and the long-standing peace treaty with Egypt.  Also discusses the question of control over Jerusalem and relations with the Palestinians.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides an analysis of U.S.-Yemeni relations amid evolving political change in Yemen, ongoing U.S. counterterrorism operations against Al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula, and international efforts to bolster the country’s stability.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the Sunni-Shiite tensions over governance in Bahrain.  Also covers the influence of Saudi Arabia, human rights issues, and the aftereffects of the uprisings in the Arab Spring.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides a brief discussion of Jordan’s government, economy, role in promoting Arab-Israeli peace, and other U.S. policy objectives for the Middle East.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

One of a series of reports on the prospects for reforming police and security forces in countries of North Africa.  From the United States Institute of Peace

Insights from a May 2012 conference on how reform of police and security organizations is a crucial step in building democracies.  From the United States Institute of Peace

Focuses on the U.S. military’s local governance and development projects and argues that the surge has not met its objectives due to three unrealistic U.S. assumptions.  From the United States Institute of Peace)

This report identifies broad historical patterns and distills relevant lessons that may be useful in shaping policies during the 2011 to 2014 transition.  From the United States Institute of Peace

This report covers current issues in U.S.-Palestinian relations, an overview of Palestinian society and politics, and descriptions of key Palestinian individuals and groups.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Documents the step-by-step approach of U.S. diplomacy to bring about disengagement agreements between Israeli, Egyptian, and Syrian military forces as a step toward more comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli disputes.  From the State Department

This report tracks the history of religious peacebuilding with special attention to the Arab Spring and anxieties in the West about religion’s support for nonviolence.  From the United States Institute of Peace

Provides a historical record of key legal developments affected foreign affairs in 2011, especially with regards to events affected the Arab Awakening and the U.S. response to terrorism.  From the State Department

Examines U.S.-Morocco foreign policy issues including reforms in the wake of the Arab Spring, respect by Morocco for human rights, counterterrorism measures, the conflict over Western Sahara, and U.S. foreign assistance.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

This monograph considers both the future of Iraq and the differences/similarities between events in Iraq and the Arab Spring states as they attempt to create stable, democratic states.  From the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College

A study of 17 declassified documents  captured during the raid on the Abbottabad hideout of Osama Bin Laden.  A major theme is Bin Laden’s frustration  with regional jihadi groups and his inability to control their actions.  From the Combatting Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy

Enables access to declassified documents captured during the raid on the Abbottabad hideout of Osama Bin Laden and made available in zipped format in Arabic and English.  From the Combatting Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy.

Second edition of an Arab development report.  Argues for redefining the role of the state and its relationship with the market to avoid  the problems of political favoritism and corruption and promote equal opportunity and fair competition.  From the United Nations Development Programme

Unanimous Supreme Court decision that the provisions of the Torture Victims Protection Act of 1991 provide for the suing of individuals but not organizations for acts of torture.  The case involved a naturalized U.S. citizen who, while visiting the West Bank, was arrested, tortured, and killed by Palestinian Authority intelligence officers.  From the Supreme Court

Reviews the role Kuwait has played in U.S. efforts to contain Iraq over the past two decades and current issues relating to human rights, economic policy, and Islamic militancy in a country largely spared the turmoil of Arab Spring reform demands.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

This report assesses some of the foreign policy implications of recent events in the Middle East region, provides an overview of U.S. responses to date, and explores selected case studies to illustrate some key questions and dilemmas that Congress and the executive branch face.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Provides a brief summary of recent developments in selected countries of the Middle East including Egypt, Iran, Israel, Palestine, Libya, and Syria as well as a statistical table about the region as a whole.  From the Library of the House of Commons

Describes the agitation for reform in Bahrain as part of the Arab spring uprisings, the political structure of Bahrain, human rights issues in the country, and U.S.-Bahrain security and foreign policy relations.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists