Topic: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

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Israeli ties with Egypt strained by transition?

Though Egypt and Israel insist the decision to end a gas sales contract wasn't political, it's hard to see annulling the largest ever contract between the two countries as anything but.
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Dubai kicks out US democracy NGO, too

Though far more deftly than Egypt did.
Egypt's rulers face backlash after lifting travel ban on Americans

Egypt had portrayed its case against American NGOs as necessary to thwart foreign agents intent on harming the country. Now angry Egyptians say their rulers have caved to US pressure.
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Egypt moves to defuse crisis over NGO trials

What exactly is happening isn't clear yet. But it seems fairly certain that Egypt's ruling junta is backing away from the prosecution of NGO workers that led to the worst US-Egypt diplomatic crisis in decades.
Americans on trial: a convenient distraction for Egypt's rulers?

The trial of 16 Americans and 27 other democracy workers opened today in Egypt in a case that has riveted the Egyptian public and deflected their frustrations onto foreigners.
Yemen elections: Only one choice, but is it still progress?

Yemen heads to the polls Tuesday to choose a replacement to President Ali Abdullah Saleh. President Obama has endorsed the one man on the ballot, Mr. Saleh's vice president.
Outrage over Egypt's arrest of NGO workers, but US would have done the same

The outrage over Egypt's arrest of 43 NGO workers, at least 16 of whom are American, is understandable and well deserved. But it also speaks to a little acknowledged paradox: These organizations are conducting democracy-building work that would never be tolerated in the US.
Egyptian judges: NGO workers face up to five years in prison (+video)

Egypt is defying strong US warnings to back off on its case against 43 NGO workers, including at least 16 Americans, which has led to the worst diplomatic crisis in more than 30 years.
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Despite $1.5 billion in US aid, Egypt threatens prosecution of Americans

Egypt said yesterday it will prosecute a large number of people, including 19 Americans, involved in democracy promotion in the country, putting the country's US aid in extreme jeopardy.
Americans face prosecution as Egypt ignores Clinton, Congress

Egypt is bringing criminal charges against at least 40 people, including some Americans, in a move that puts $1.3 billion in US military aid to Egypt at risk.
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With Americans holed up in Cairo embassy, Egypt's lobbyists in DC quit

It takes a lot to get K Street to distance itself from a regime. Egypt's ruling military junta has manged the feat by investigating a group of American NGO workers for criminal prosecution.
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Egypt bars Americans from leaving: What's going on here?

Egypt's military rulers escalated a dispute over US-funded NGOs by barring some American employees from leaving the country, including the son of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Why won't Egypt let Americans return to US?

Sam LaHood, son of US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, heads the International Republican Institute in Egypt and was recently kept from boarding a flight out of Egypt.
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US democracy NGOs in Egypt still shuttered

Making life hard for NGOs, particularly foreign ones, has long been a sport in Egypt.
US 'deeply concerned' after Egypt raids NGO offices

The US said it was 'deeply concerned' after a series of raids by Egypt's ruling military today on nongovernment organizations promoting democracy and human rights, some US-funded.
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Egypt's military rulers crack down on democracy groups

Egypt's military junta raided independent civil society groups today, including the United States' premier democracy promoters.
Global News Blog
Good Reads: Flawed elections in Congo, and voters protest Putin in Russia

Polling results will be announced today in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but 'massive' irregularities may undermine credibility; and Russian voters rebuke leader Vladimir Putin.
For many Egyptian voters, finally an election that matters

Today's parliamentary elections in Egypt saw a high turnout. Some voters confessed they didn't really know the candidates, but were excited to participate nonetheless.
US turns up pressure on Egypt's military, urges transfer to civilian rule

The White House released a statement Friday that calls for a speedy transfer to ‘just and inclusive’ civilian rule in Egypt. The statement came as tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
Secularists voice dismay at election gains for Tunisia's Islamist party

Tunisia's election results are not final, but the moderate Islamist party Al Nahda seems poised to get a plurality of the vote. Some secularists voiced alarm, even as the party sought to reassure opponents.
Tunisia election: Smiles, pride as historic day goes smoothly

Tunisians turned out in droves to vote in the Arab Spring's first democratic election today. Early indications were that voting went smoothly throughout most of the country.
Why Egypt is angry over $65 million in US democracy grants

Amid a US campaign to support democratic transition in Egypt, a state-run magazine derided the US 'ambassador from hell' and officials are investigating groups who accepted funding.
Nigerians head to polls for pivotal vote

Nigeria's parliamentary and presidential elections, slated to begin Saturday, aim to tackle corruption and internal tension while setting an example for other African nations soon to hold votes.
Mugabe launches crackdown ahead of runoff vote

Hundreds of war veterans – a potent force for President Mugabe – marched through Zimbabwe's capital Friday condemning the opposition for claiming it won the March 29 elections.