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Middle East/North Africa

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Understanding the Arab Spring: Public Opinion and the Roots of Revolution in the Arab World

Powerpoint Presentation | January 26, 2012 | 36 pages

This discussion with Craig Charney sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies examines what is distinctive about the five Arab Springs as well as why the Gulf States remain free of change, and other issues related to the revolution in the Arab world, including the distinguishing economic and political factors, the common political and economic elements, and new media. It also assesses the post-revolutionary conditions, post-revolutionary elections, religious institutions and identity, and international issues. The results of several national opinion polls show that upheavals occurred where the fewest were thriving, countries with more poverty had more unrest, and stability prevailed where the most were.

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America’s Message to The Muslim World

By Craig Charney and Steven A. Cook | The Boston Globe | June 20, 2006 | 2 pages

The article suggests America’s message in the Muslim world should be: partners in development and democracy. America’s image in Muslim lands is starting to get better yet more remains to be done. One evidence, government-sponsored efforts are paltry comparing to private-sector marking campaigns.

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Here’s what America can do to be loved by Muslims

By Craig Charney | The Daily Star | July 25, 2005 | 2 pages

A rare window of opportunity to reach out to the Islamic World has emerged thanks to a series of developments this year. The article argues the keys to a new U.S. dialogue with the Muslim world are a humbler tone, a focus on partnership with local initiatives, and a sustained effort with major resources. Engaging local and regional news media is the first step and America’s image problem will take years to reshape.

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Anti-U.S. anger spreading in Islamic states, survey finds

By Brian Knowlton | The New York Times | May 19, 2005 | 5 pages

The article argued that anti-American anger in Islamic countries continues to spread across age and economic groups, according to a new survey of Muslim elites. Things that they desire most, respect and aid, are what America can provide but until now fail to deliver. Admiration for bin Laden still exists because of his fortitude against the dominant world power.

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Here and Now – Improving America’s Image in the Muslim World

By Craig Charney | NPR | January 1, 2005

NPR’s “Here & Now” interviews Craig Charney and Steven Cook on how people in the Arab world see the Iraqi conflict as well as their views on U.S. public diplomacy in the Muslim world. Warlords still pose serious threat to the rollout of local free and democratic elections and America’s prominent role in the Muslim world should include the establishment of democratic institutions in the region.

Egypt

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Egypt, the Beginning or the End?

By Thomas Friedman | The New York Times | December 6, 2011 | 4 pages

The fact that the Muslim Brotherhood and the even more fundamentalist Salafist Nour Party have garnered some 65 percent of the votes in the first round of Egypt’s free parliamentary elections since the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak should hardly come as a surprise. Given the way that the military regimes in the Arab world decimated all independent secular political parties over the last 50 years, there is little chance of any Arab country going from Mubarak to Jefferson without going through some Khomeini. But whether this is the end of the Egyptian democracy rebellion, just a phase in it or an inevitable religious political expression that will have to coexist with the military and secular reform agendas remains to be seen. This New York Times article discusses the results of the post-revolution national election in Egypt.

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Egypt Since the Revolution

Report | November 1, 2011 | 17 pages

This report prepared for a presentation for the Egypt Roundtable at the Brookings Institute is based on a poll conducted by Charney Research for the International Peace Institute consisting of a random national sample of interviews with 800 Egyptian adults and discusses the current mood in post-revolution Egypt with regards to the economy, basic order and security, the national government, and relations with the West. As the economic situation has darkened, Egyptians have grown anxious and are looking for help from the state. Egyptians now say they were worse off financially and less secure than under former president Mubarak, while displeasure with the national government has jumped to levels seen under Mubarak while Prime Minister Sharaf’s favorability has plunged.

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Shifts in Egyptian Public Opinion

By Ed Husain | CFR | October 11, 2011 | 4 pages

This article written for the Council on Foreign Relations discusses the results of a poll conducted by Charney Research measuring public opinion in post-revolution Egypt. The great belief that the Egyptian military does not kill its own was shattered this weekend as the army crushed a Christian protest in Cairo. Coptic Christians that wanted answers about the lack of support for new churches and the government’s failure to investigate previous attacks on Christians were answered with military bullets. Egypt is a country in transition with an increasingly impatient population.

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IPI Egypt Poll: Concern Rising About Revolution, Economy, and Security

Report | September 20, 2011 | 6 pages

This International Peace Institute (IPI) announcement discusses the results of a poll conducted by Charney Research for IPI that shows that while Egyptians remain cautiously optimistic, concern grows with regards to the economy and stability. Egyptians now say they are worse off economically and feel less secure than under former president Mubarak. In these circumstances, the majority say the country’s ongoing protests are unnecessary disruptions.

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Obama Versus Osama: Guess Who the Egyptians Prefer?

By Colum Lynch | Foreign Policy | June 21, 2011 | 4 pages

While the U.S. President Barack Obama is more than twice as popular in Egypt as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadenijad, the American president’s standing has never been worse in Egypt, plummeting since 2008, when he received a 25 percent favorability rating, to 12 percent in 2011. Even Osama Bin Laden, the late al Qaeda leader, was more popular this year, with a 21 percent favorability ranking. The Iranian leader fared worse, dropping from 21 percent favorability rating in 2008 to a miserable 5 percent. This article for Foreign Policy discusses the results of a Charney Research poll measuring support for various foreign and domestic politicians and political candidates.

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Egypt: Towards Democratic Elections

Powerpoint Presentation | June 1, 2011 | 18 pages

This report based on a survey conducted by Charney Research for the International Peace Institute (IPI) assesses Egyptians’ attitudes regarding the upcoming elections and the various issues facing the country. Egyptians’ mood remains optimistic, but less as economic and security concerns have increased, with vote intention high across Egypt.

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Egyptians Back Diplomat in Poll, Show Secular Bent

By Jay Solomon | International Peace Institute | April 7, 2011 | 2 pages

Egypt’s Former Foreign Minister Amr Moussa—a vocal critic of some U.S. foreign policy—leads the field among likely presidential candidates, with the secular Wafd Party emerging as the most popular political group, according to a poll by a United Nations-affiliated think tank. The poll also concluded that most Egyptians don’t seek any radical changes in their government’s foreign relations, including with Israel, or its path of economic liberalization. The poll, conducted by Charney Research for the New York-based International Peace Institute (IPI) for the upcoming Egyptian national elections, found Egypt’s largest Islamist organization, the Muslim Brotherhood, ranks second in popularity among political parties.

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A New Beginning: Strategies for a More Fruitful Dialogue with the Muslim World

Report | January 1, 2005 | 6 pages

This teaching module for the Council on Foreign Relation (CFR) offers a discussion on a variety of topics with regards to the United States and the Muslim world. The issue of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world offers an ideal case study of the issue of “soft power.” This involves the aspects of international relations and foreign policy that focus on leadership through prestige, persuasion, and cultural and economic power, rather than hard power, the “bombs and rockets” that make up much of the traditional introductory international relations course or specialized course on US foreign policy.

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Iran

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Iran: Public Opinion on Foreign, Nuclear, and Domestic Issues

Powerpoint Presentation | December 8, 2010 | 24 pages

This report discusses the results of a national telephone survey of 702 Iranians measuring public opinion on an array of foreign, nuclear and domestic issues, including the government and the economy. Key survey findings include that Iran’s public is sharply split on the government’s performance and divided on the presence of free speech, the rule of law, and the desirability of morality police. Most Iranians face stagnant or shrunken income and are economically discontented.

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Iranians Want Nuclear Arms, US Survey Finds

International Peace Institute | December 8, 2010 | 4 pages

This press release discusses the results of an Iranian public opinion poll conducted by Charney Research for the International Peace Institute (IPI). The poll reveals that while Iranians want nuclear weapons and reject proposed international deals to restrict production of enriched uranium, they are anxious about the international sanctions and isolation their country faces.

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Iraq

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Iraqi Business Barometer Slide Presentation

Powerpoint Presentation | July 1, 2011 | 24 pages

The study aimed to identify Iraqi business attitudes toward the current business environment, challenges to business development, confidence in government efforts to assist business, and the role of business associations and Chambers of Commerce. It finds that Iraqi businesses are optimistic about the current and future economic environment, and that businesses would like increased financial support and improved basic services but that corruption is the top impediment to growth.

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Iraqi Business Attitudes on the Economy, Government, and Business Organizations

Report | January 1, 2011 | 50 pages

This report, based on a business survey conducted by Charney Research for the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) consisting of 900 interviews among formal and informal businesses in Iraq, discusses Iraqi business views on the economy, government, and business organizations. This survey demonstrates that Iraqi businesses are generally optimistic about their business prospects over the next several years. It is imperative to analyze current obstacles adversely affecting the growth of the business sector in Iraq—corruption, weak infrastructure, lack of regulatory enforcement, and difficulty in obtaining loans—and to assist the business community in communicating their needs to the government.

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Israel

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Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon: Politics and Peace Prospects

Powerpoint Presentation | December 8, 2010 | 18 pages

This power point presentation summarizes the results of public opinion surveys conducted in Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon measuring citizens’ opinions regarding the political situation between these nations as well as the prospects for peace. Key findings from the opinions of 1,019 Palestinians, 1,020 Israelis, 1,000 Lebanese, and eight focus groups in Israel underscore that Palestinian mood has improved markedly, particularly in the West Bank, thanks to a better economy and security; Israelis are pessimistic and fearful about long-term security despite a strong economy and calm at present; and Labenese mood is darker than in 2008, though the economy and security are somewhat better.

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Palestinian and Israeli Public Opinion: Recent Developments

Powerpoint Presentation | September 1, 2010 | 13 pages

This power point presentation discusses the results of recently published polls of Palestinians and Israelis measuring the opinions of both with regards to recent political developments between the two. Craig Charney presented trends in Palestinian and Israeli public opinion to a gathering of European and Middle Eastern foreign ministers at the International Peace Institute. Some of the key points in this power point presentation include: 1) Gaza flotilla affair damaged Fatah but boosted Hamas and Netanyahu. 2) Fayyad government and its state-building plan are popular with Palestinians, while Israeli government has soft domestic support. 3) Israelis feel anxious about international criticism and domestic dissent. 4) Israelis favor further building freeze only in areas Palestinians will receive. 5) Palestinians favor negotiations and the Arab Peace Initiative while Israelis are skeptical of the initiative.

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A Woman’s Place

By Poll Watcher and Orna Coussin | Haaretz | June 17, 1998 | 1 pages

Incipient signs of disparities in voting patterns between men and women in Israel have been found in a survey conducted by an American polling expert Craig Charney. In Israel, he says, such issues are only beginning to penetrate the public consciousness, and the country is still well behind Britain, France and the United States on this score. His current survey in Israel yields two conclusions: first, women in Israel are definitely an “interest group,” and second, candidates seeking election would do well to appeal to that group if they want to go far.

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Empowering Israeli Women

Report | June 1, 1998 | 99 pages

The aim of this study is to explore how women in Israel can increase their political power as a group and advance issues important to them as women. The result is that there has been little to no “gender gap” between the voting behavior of men and women in Israel and scant recognition of women as an interest group. Even research on women’s political attitudes in Israel has been rare, and there has never been a comprehensive national survey on the subject until now.

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Lebanon

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Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon: Politics and Peace Prospects

Powerpoint Presentation | December 8, 2010 | 18 pages

This power point presentation summarizes the results of public opinion surveys conducted in Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon measuring citizens’ opinions regarding the political situation between these nations as well as the prospects for peace. Key findings from the opinions of 1,019 Palestinians, 1,020 Israelis, 1,000 Lebanese, and eight focus groups in Israel underscore that Palestinian mood has improved markedly, particularly in the West Bank, thanks to a better economy and security; Israelis are pessimistic and fearful about long-term security despite a strong economy and calm at present; and Labenese mood is darker than in 2008, though the economy and security are somewhat better.

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Pour une majorité de Libanais, les armes du Hezbollah augmentent le risque de guerre

By Sylviane Zehil | L'Orient Le Jour | September 23, 2008 | 2 pages

This article uncovers a survey result administrated by Charney Research that a majority of Lebanese (55%) believe that Hezbollah’s weapons increase the risk of war in Lebanon and will eventually be used in a war with Israel, while 41% believe they have a deterrent capacity, reveals a survey done by the international firm Charney Research for the International Peace Institute (IPI), a “think tank” dedicated to the prevention and settlement of armed conflicts between and within states. The survey was conducted on a sample of 1800 people residing in seven regions of Lebanon.

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Lebanon Public Opinion Survey

Powerpoint Presentation | January 1, 2008 | 16 pages

This power point presentation summarizes the results of a public opinion poll conducted in Lebanon consisting of a random-drawn sample of 1,800 in-person interviews measuring Lebanese opinions on an array of topics including the government, economy, military, and relations with Israel. Charney’s nationwide polls show that despite continuing sectarian divisions, the Lebanese have developed a shared vision of their future, as a normal, democratic state, at peace internally and with its neighbors.

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Morocco

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Morocco: The Price of Anti-Americanism

By Craig Charney | Salon | January 7, 2005 | 9 pages

This Salon article discusses the anti-Americanism within Morocco and the hostility towards the United States’ efforts at offering assistance to Morocco as it undergoes reforms. From Islamist traditionalists to urban sophisticates, hostility to America is now so commonplace among Moroccans that it dictates reactions to U.S. actions and symbols.

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A New Beginning: Strategies for a More Fruitful Dialogue with the Muslim World

Report | January 1, 2005 | 6 pages

This teaching module for the Council on Foreign Relation (CFR) offers a discussion on a variety of topics with regards to the United States and the Muslim world. The issue of anti-Americanism in the Muslim world offers an ideal case study of the issue of “soft power.” This involves the aspects of international relations and foreign policy that focus on leadership through prestige, persuasion, and cultural and economic power, rather than hard power, the “bombs and rockets” that make up much of the traditional introductory international relations course or specialized course on US foreign policy.

Back to Top

Palestine

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Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon: Politics and Peace Prospects

Powerpoint Presentation | December 8, 2010 | 18 pages

This power point presentation summarizes the results of public opinion surveys conducted in Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon measuring citizens’ opinions regarding the political situation between these nations as well as the prospects for peace. Key findings from the opinions of 1,019 Palestinians, 1,020 Israelis, 1,000 Lebanese, and eight focus groups in Israel underscore that Palestinian mood has improved markedly, particularly in the West Bank, thanks to a better economy and security; Israelis are pessimistic and fearful about long-term security despite a strong economy and calm at present; and Labenese mood is darker than in 2008, though the economy and security are somewhat better.

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Palestinian and Israeli Public Opinion: Recent Developments

Powerpoint Presentation | September 1, 2010 | 13 pages

This power point presentation discusses the results of recently published polls of Palestinians and Israelis measuring the opinions of both with regards to recent political developments between the two. Craig Charney presented trends in Palestinian and Israeli public opinion to a gathering of European and Middle Eastern foreign ministers at the International Peace Institute. Some of the key points in this power point presentation include: 1) Gaza flotilla affair damaged Fatah but boosted Hamas and Netanyahu. 2) Fayyad government and its state-building plan are popular with Palestinians, while Israeli government has soft domestic support. 3) Israelis feel anxious about international criticism and domestic dissent. 4) Israelis favor further building freeze only in areas Palestinians will receive. 5) Palestinians favor negotiations and the Arab Peace Initiative while Israelis are skeptical of the initiative.

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Palestinian Public Opinion: Peace, Politics, and Policy

Powerpoint Presentation | October 1, 2009 | 36 pages

This power point presentation discusses the results of a poll conducted in Palestine with a random sample of 2,400 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza dealing with peace prospects, internal politics, and policy issues. Read more about Palestinians attitude on 2-state solution, settlement freeze, checkpoints and its economy.

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Palestinians Want Peace Deal But Don’t Reject Hamas

By Douglas Hamilton | Reuters | September 25, 2009 | 3 pages

This Reuters article discusses a survey conducted by Charney Research for the International Peace Institute (IPI) showing that while most Palestinians who want a state of their own would like to achieve it through a peace deal with Israel, there is still substantial support for the Islamist Hamas group which favors resistance. The survey was carried out over the summer in Gaza, where Hamas rules, and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, under the authority of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah movement.

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CNN’s Christine Amanpour: Interviews on IPI Palestinian Poll and Prospects for Middle East Peace

By Christiane Amanpour and Terje Røed-Larsen, with Dan Meridor & Saeb Erakat | CNN | September 23, 2009 | 2 pages

This transcript of an interview conducted by CNN’s Christine Amanpour with Terej Roed-Larsen, President, International Peace Institute (IPI), discusses the results of an IPI poll conducted by Charney Research showing that Palestinians favor a two-state solution to the conflict with Israel. President Mahmoud Abbas’ popularity is on the rise—an encouraging news for peace in the Middle East.

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Syria

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New Survey Finds Syrians Want Peace, But Still Far Apart on Terms

By Warren Hoge | Global Observatory | January 28, 2014

In this interview, Craig Charney discusses the result of a new survey of Syrians conducted by Charney Research for the Syria Justice and Accountability Center and offers a window into how Syrians feel about the current strife in their country. The survey used Syrian interviewers to contact people in seven different locations around Syria, with Charney emphasizing a caveat: “Almost everyone said no end to the conflict was in sight,” because the sides still seemed quite far apart on what the terms of a settlement might be.

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What Syrians Think: Views on the Conflict, Negotiations, and Transitional Justice

Report | January 2, 2014 | 92 pages

This article discusses the results of a qualitative study conducted by Charney Research consisting of 46 in-depth interviews among Syrians both inside and outside of Syria for the Syrian Justice and Accountability Center. The survey covers the following topics: Syrians’ attitudes about the current civil war; their views of key actors in both the government and the opposition; how they want the conflict resolved; and their attitudes toward accountability.

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Tunisia

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After the Arab Spring: Democratic Consolidation in Tunisia’s Elections?

By Craig Charney | Insights | Series II | No. 3 | February 2014

This article discusses the possibilities for Tunisia to establish meaningful electoral competition and the alternation of power as its second democratic election approaches. While the country has made important democratic advances since President Zine el Abedine ben Ali fell in December 2010, the country still faces many challenges moving forward.

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