MDC Research and Analysis

Raz Zimmt discusses the phenomenon of flourishing sex tourism in Mashhad in eastern Iran, which is presented as evidence of the worsening economic and social problems in the Islamic Republic, but which also has led users to publicly oppose the institution of temporary marriage.

Dan Gottlieb examines the significance of the recent election of Abiy Ahmed as prime minister of Ethiopia.

Senior Research Fellow Prof. Ofra Bengio analyzes the background behind the recent protests in Basra, Iraq.

Caleb Esrig argues that Jordan's history of unhealthy fiscal behavior has made tax, subsidy, and spending reform difficult in Jordan, and has left the Kingdom beholden to the political demands of its donors.

Daniel Zisenwine examines recent developments in Tunisian politics, and the nature of its "success" seven years after the Arab Spring.

Mira Tzoreff analyzes the way that the youth of Egypt have become a significant challenge to the continued rule of al-Sisi. In Hebrew.

Michael Barak reviews the discourse surrounding the arrest of a Saudi cleric, Sheikh Safar al-Hawali, in the wake of an electronic book he published, which contains advice reflecting his opposition to the domestic and foreign policy of the Saudi regime.