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Polls / Reports

Salafists Promote Anti-Shiite Ideology on Twitter

March 30, 2015
Sunni Salafists are using social media to promote anti-Shiite discourse, according to a new report by Genevieve Abdo, a nonresident fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings and a fellow in the Middle East/Southwest Asia program at the Stimson Center.
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Report: Unpacking the Details of ISIS Ideology

March 11, 2015
The Islamic State’s ideology is rooted in jihadi-salafism, a distinct movement in Sunni Islam, according to a new report by Cole Bunzel at the Brookings Institution.
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Report: ISIS Has At Least 46,000 Twitter Followers

March 6, 2015
ISIS – also known as ISIL, Daesh, or the Islamic State – has a strong presence on social media. According to a new report by J.M. Berger and Jonathon Morgan at the Brookings Institution, ISIS has at least 46,000 Twitter followers, and one fifth use English as their primary language.
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Report: More than 20,000 Foreign Fighters in Syria/Iraq

Jan. 26, 2015
The International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence (ICSR) at King's College London has released results of a report estimating that more than 20,000 foreign fighters have joined Sunni militant groups in Syria and Iraq.
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Survey: Americans Call ISIS Biggest Threat

Jan. 8, 2015
The majority of Americans believe ISIS is the greatest threat to the United States from the Middle East, according to a survey led by Shibley Telhami, a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
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Survey: Jordanians Support Hamas, but not ISIS

Oct. 31, 2014
Jordanians have positive views of Hamas, but negative views of ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood, according to a new poll commissioned by the Washington Institute.
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Egypt's Islamists Seek Coalitions to Survive

Oct. 31, 2014
The crackdown on Islamists in Egypt following President Mohamed Morsi’s ouster in 2013 signaled the erosion of the unspoken alliance between the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s military.
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Widespread Discontent with Tunisian Leaders

Sep 13, 2013
More than two years after the Jasmine Revolution, nearly three quarters of Tunisians are dissatisfied with how democracy is working, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center. Tunisians are especially critical of their political leaders...
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Rising Muslim Concerns about Islamic Extremism

Sep 12, 2013
Concern about Islamic extremism is rising among many of the world’s Muslims, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. In five of the 11 surveyed countries — Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey — worries about extremism have increased since 2012...
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Gallup: Tunisians Lose Confidence in Government

Aug 13, 2013
Tunisians' confidence in their Islamist-led government evaporated in the last year, dropping to 32 percent in May 2013 from 56 percent in March 2012. Their approval of the country's leadership fell even more over the same period, tumbling to 23 percent from 60 percent
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Report: Violence Widens Egypt’s Political Divide

Aug 07, 2013
The political divide between supporters and opponents of ousted President Mohamed Morsi has dramatically widened as violence has risen, according to a new International Crisis Group Report. Nearly 200 Morsi supporters have been killed in clashes since the July 3 coup and scores of Islamist leaders have been detained...
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Gallup: How Egyptian Opinion Shifted

Aug 2, 2013
A few weeks before massive protests and a government decree ended Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's presidency, 29% of Egyptians expressed confidence in their national government -- the lowest level Gallup has measured since Egypt's revolution began in 2011.
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U.S. Report on Religious Freedom in Middle East

May 20, 2013
Blasphemy and apostasy laws were applied in a discriminatory manner in several Middle Eastern and North African countries in 2012, according to a new report by the U.S. State Department. “These laws are frequently used to repress dissent, to harass political opponents, and to settle personal vendettas,” Secretary of State Kerry said on May 20...
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Pew: Egyptians Favor Major Role for Islam in Politics

May 16, 2013
At least 60 percent of Egyptians prefer democracy to any other kind of government, according to new poll by the Pew Research Global Attitudes Project. Results suggest that Egyptians want Islam to play a major role in their democracy. About 58 percent of Egyptians say laws should strictly follow Koranic teachings...
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Pew: Egyptians Pessimistic on Economy

May 16, 2013
About 76 percent of Egyptians say economic conditions are bad, and 42 percent expect them to worsen in the coming year, according to a new poll by the Pew Research Global Attitudes Project. Egyptians are split over whether or not the country is better off after President Hosni Mubarak’s departure...
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Report: Sunni-Shiite Divide Deepens

Apr 16, 2013
The Arab uprisings have deepened ethnic and religious tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in the Middle East, according to a new report by The Brookings Institution. The rise of sectarianism is being drive by three main factors...
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Survey: Arab Youth Optimistic About Future

Apr 10, 2013
Three-quarters of youth in 15 Arab countries think “our best days are ahead of us,” according to a new survey by Asada’a and Burson Marsteller. About 70 percent of respondents think the Arab world is “better off” since the uprisings began in December 2010, and 67 percent feel personally better off. Nearly half of youth say their government has become more transparent and representative...
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Survey: Fair Pay Top Concern of Arab Youth

Apr, 10, 2013
Fair pay, unemployment and rising living costs are top concerns of Arab youth, according to a new survey by Asada’a and Burson Marsteller. “Being paid a fair wage” is the top priority of 82 percent of respondents for the second year in a row. Owning a home, also for the second consecutive year, remains the second-highest priority of Arab youth. Home ownership ranks higher than living in a democracy or living without fear of terrorism...
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The Arab Uprisings in Iranian Politics

Apr 9, 2013
ran hailed the 2011 Arab uprisings as an “Islamic Awakening” and considered the overthrow of U.S.-backed dictators a continuation of its own 1979 revolution. A new report claims that Tehran’s goals are to foster political Islam in the Arab world and Arab independence from U.S. influence—both elements of a broader strategic narrative ultimately radiating from Iran...
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U.S. Intelligence: Arab Spring Generated Threats

Mar 15, 2013
The Arab uprisings have “generated a spike in threats to U.S. interests… that will likely endure until political upheaval stabilizes and security forces regain their capabilities,” according to the U.S. intelligence community’s new worldwide threat assessment. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper delivered the report to the Senate on March 12...
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Report: Female Workforce Participation 25 Percent in Mideast

Mar 15, 2013
Women in the Middle East and North Africa are more educated than ever before, but their participation in the workface is 25 percent – about half of the world average, according to a new report by the World Bank. “Often what stands between women and jobs are legal and social barriers,” said Manuela Ferro, Director for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management in the MENA region...
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Kerry: U.S. to forward $250M in aid to Egypt

Mar 3, 2013
On March 3, Secretary of State John Kerry released $250 million in aid to Egypt. Kerry made the announcement after President Mohamed Morsi pledged to implement painful economic reforms needed to secure an International Monetary Fund loan...
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Report: Can Turkey’s AKP Be a Model for Arab Islamists?

Feb 23, 2013
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) offers a moderate political model that may be attractive to Arab Islamists, according to a new report by The Brookings Institution. The AKP promotes Islamic values without seeking to establish an Islamic state by embracing “passive secularism...
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Poll: Tunisians Look for Improved Gov. Performance

Feb 14, 2013
Tunisians want their government to focus on employment, economic development and security, according to a new poll by The International Republican Institute. They are losing confidence in the transition process. Some 77 percent of respondents said Tunisia is moving in the wrong direction...
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Report: Violence and Tunisia’s Salafi Challenge

Feb 14, 2013
Ennahda, the moderate Islamist party leading Tunisia’s coalition government, has prudently managed radical religious groups through dialogue, persuasion and co-optation, according to a new report by the International Crisis Group. But the recent assassination of opposition politician Chokri Belaid has thrown the country into a crisis, and raised the threat of violence.....
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Women: Human Rights Watch 2013 World Report

Feb 07, 2013
Women across the Middle East suffered from sexual harassment and domestic violence in 2012, according to a new report Human Rights Watch. The following are excerpts from the 2013 World Report on Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen....
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Human Rights Watch: 2013 World Report

Feb 06, 2013
In early February, Human Wrights watch released its new World Report. The following are excerpts from chapters on Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen....
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Mali: It’s Salafi-Jihadist Insurgency, Stupid!

Jan 29, 2013
On January 28, a new report by the Quilliam Foundation warned that the Mali conflict has now evolved into a global security threat. The latest chapter in the half-century old conflict began in July 2012 when Islamic extremists linked to al Qaeda seized control of northern Mali....
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Al Nusra Front: Syria’s Top Islamist Militia

Jan 09, 2013
On January 8, the Quilliam Foundation released a new strategic briefing on the Al Nusra Front (Jabhat al Nusra), a powerful rebel group fighting the Syrian regime. The report warned that the hard-line Islamist group is linked to al Qaeda, seeks to create a new jihadist umbrella movement in Syria and ultimately create a caliphate...
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Pew: Arab Publics Most Likely to Express Views Online

December 13, 2012
Significantly more Arab users discuss politics and religion online than others in Europe, Latin America and Asia...
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Gallup: Poverty as Political Flashpoint

November 27, 2012
Over 80 percent of respondents in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia hold their governments responsible for helping the poor, according to the results of a new poll by Gallup. But respondents provided differing reviews of their respective governments’ social assistance programs...
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Key Players in Turkey’s Justice and Development Party

November 9, 2012
On September 30, Turkey’s Justice and Development Party held its annual convention. Delegates reelected Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to his final term as party leader. The Washington Institute's new report draws on the convention results and examines changes in the moderate Islamist party's leadership...
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Poll: Turkey’s Popularity Slips in Mideast

November 5, 2012
Turkey’s standing in the Arab world and Iran has dropped noticeably over the past year according to a new poll by the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV). In 2011, 78 percent of the 2,800 respondents had a positive view of Turkey. In 2012, it dropped to 69 percent. “Most of the participants think Turkey is the strongest political power in the region. They consider Saudi Arabia the strongest economic power and Iran the strongest military power,” said TESEV Foreign Policy Chairman Mensur Akgun at an Istanbul press conference...
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Rand: U.S. Engagement with Muslim Brotherhood Youth

October 22, 2012
In October 2012, a new Rand Corporation report highlighted divisions between Muslim Brotherhood youth and senior leadership in Egypt. Younger members are usually more progressive on social issues like gender equality and minority rights. They are also frustrated by the organization’s internal hierarchy, which provides them with limited leadership roles or responsibility...
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American Perceptions of US Embassy Attacks

October 16, 2012
Following the massive Arab and Muslim demonstrations and attacks on American embassies in Libya and Egypt in reaction to an anti-Muslim video, the Sadat Chair for Peace and Development at the University of Maryland and the Program on International Policy Attitudes conducted an public opinion poll to study how the American public reacted to these events...
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Gallup: U.S. Approval Down Across the Region

September 24, 2012
On Sept. 24, Gallup released a poll showing that U.S. approval in the Middle East was already waning before the “Innocence of Muslims” film provoked widespread anti-U.S. demonstrations. The organization surveyed 12 countries between January and May 2012. All together about 20 percent of adults approved of the U.S. leadership’s “job performance.”
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Gallup: Libyans Want Militias Disarmed Immediately

September 14, 2012
On Sept. 13, Gallup released a poll showing that 95 percent of surveyed Libyans want militias to turn in their weapons immediately. Gallup conducted more than 1000 face-to-face interviews with adults during March and April 2012...
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IMF: Tunisia’s Economic Burdens

September 13, 2012
On Sept. 5, the International Monetary Fund published a report on Tunisia’s post-uprising economic and social challenges. Tunisia’s economic prospects are now improving due to increased government spending and tourism revenues. But unemployment remains high at 19 percent overall and more than 40 percent among youth....
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Syria’s Jihadi Rebels

September 10, 2012
On Sept. 10, the Quilliam Foundation in London reported that less than 10 percent of the Syrian rebel forces are now jihadis. Although an increasing problem, the Syrian militants are fragmented into a handful of smaller groups. The following is an excerpt from the report, which identifies key factions, with a full link to the PDF at the bottom...
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International Crisis Group: Hamas and the Arab Uprisings

Aug 24, 2012
On August 14, the International Crisis Group issued a report warning that an opportunity for the West and Hamas to “redefine their relationship” may slip away. The report says that Hamas leaders are disunited and uncertain about how to proceed on pressing issues like Palestinian reconciliation and Gaza’s isolation. The organization has done little to improve its local or regional position despite the boost it received from Islamist electoral victories in Tunisia and Egypt....
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Pew: Most Muslims Want Both Democracy and Islam in Political Life, Few Believe US Backs Democracy

July 12, 2012
On July 10, the Pew Research organization released a new poll about Muslim attitudes toward political life. It found that the majority of respondents in key countries still support democracy—and specific types of freedom—even as many also want a significant role for Islam in politics...
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Poll: Egyptian Vote Has Spillover on Palestinians

June 25, 2012
The election of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has already had a spillover impact on the Palestinians. On June 25, a poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research reported that Hamas – and its Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh – had gained wider public support after the parliamentary and presidential votes in Egypt...
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Islam and Politics

May 29, 2012
On May 22, the National Democratic Institute issued a poll on developing political attitudes in Libya. The following excerpts focus on public opinion of Islam and politics. The survey, which included a dozen focus groups in six major cities...
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Shibley Telhami: Poll on what Egyptians want now

May 21, 2012
A new poll on Egypt by Shibley Telhami, who holds the Sadat chair at the University of Maryland, surveyed public opinion across the Arab world’s most populous country. The survey’s key findings among respondents include...
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Gallup: Islamists “losing steam” in Egypt

May 8, 2012
A new survey by the Gallup organization has found that public support for Egypt’s various Islamist groups—including the Muslim Brotherhood and its Freedom and Justice Party as well as the ultra-conservative Salafis—plummeted in just three months. A survey completed in April found that only 43 percent of Egyptian respondents supported the Muslim Brotherhood...
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Pew: Egyptians Optimistic, Embrace Both Democracy and Religion

May 8, 2012
The Pew Research Centerreleased the following survey on May 8, 2012. A link to the full report follows this excerpt.

A year after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak and a few weeks ahead of historic presidential elections, a new nationwide survey by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project finds that Egyptians remain upbeat about the course of the nation and prospects for progress...
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Pew: On Anniversary, Little Backing of al Qaeda

Apr 30, 2012
The following is a poll by the Pew Global Attitudes Project on Muslim attitudes that has tracked public opinion in key countries about al Qaeda.

A year after the death of its leader, al Qaeda is widely unpopular among Muslim publics. A new poll by the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project, conducted March 19 to April 13, 2012, finds majorities – and mostly large majorities – expressing negative views of the terrorist group in Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Turkey and Lebanon...
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