Elizabeth Rghebi

Bio

I recently received my M.A. from Columbia University in Middle Eastern studies. My research interests focus on Arab politics, especially in the Levant and North Africa.
How This Man Went From President to "Terrorist"
By Elizabeth Rghebi
The political winds are continuing to shift in Egypt. On Dec. 18, Egypt's ousted President Mohamed Morsi was accused of collaborating with "foreign organizations to commit terrorist acts inside of Egypt." And a day later, former President Hosni…
In Pre-Revolutionary Libya, We Had One Tyrant — "Now We Have Many"
By Elizabeth Rghebi
As my cousin in Libya recently put it, "Under Gaddafi, we had one tyrant ... Now, we have many." Last Thursday, heavy fighting broke out between rival militias in Tripoli's Suq al-Juma'a neighborhood, where much of my family lives. Our…
Saudi Arabian Women Driving: 5 Inspiring Videos From Today's Protest
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Today marked the launch of the latest campaign to end Saudi Arabia's ban on women driving. Despite the Saudi Arabian government’s warning that it would punish those who violate the law, more than 60 Saudi women reportedly got behind the wheel in…
This Israeli Gas Field Could Radically Reshape Politics in the Middle East
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Israel is likely to become a natural gas exporter, as the legal decision determining the amount of exports from the Leviathan basin will be handed down this week. These developments will have an impact on Israel’s energy dependency and alter the…
The Inside Story Of Saudi Arabia's Bizarre Ban On Female Drivers
By Elizabeth Rghebi
One of the most infamous and well known examples of the Saudi Arabian government's misogyny and religious fundamentalism is the countrywide ban on female drivers. Support for the ban remains strong among more hardline aspects of Saudi society. In…
The Reason For Yemen's Child-Bride Problem Isn't What You'd Expect
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Yemen’s child bride problem is back in the spotlight following the reported death of Rawan, an eight-year-old girl, as a result of injuries sustained on her wedding night. In response, Yemen’s Human Rights Minister Huriyah Mashour called for action:…
5 Dinner Party Rules For Discussing the Syria Crisis
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Over the last two weeks, Syria has become a hot topic of conversation as a possible U.S. military intervention looms. Here are some tips to manage some of the more challenging social scenarios you may find yourself in. 1. Keep a map handy. After…
Who's Who in Syria, Explained in Plain English
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Rumblings of civil unrest began in Syria during the height of the Arab Spring. One such protest occurred on February 17, 2011 following an incident of police brutality. However, it was the events in Dera’a, a small Syrian village on the border with…
Chemical Weapons Attack: Inside America's Dirty Secret
By Elizabeth Rghebi
Reports of a chemical attack in the suburbs of Damascus last week intensified the debate over military intervention in Syria. Following a preliminary investigation, the United Nations' special envoy confirmed that a “chemical substance” was used in…
There's a Simple Reason Why the U.S. Doesn't Know What to Do About Egypt
By Elizabeth Rghebi
There is one historically consistent factor that dictates U.S. policy on Egypt, and the rest of the Middle East for that matter. It’s not concern for human rights or democracy, and it’s not even concern for U.S. interests. The U.S.-Israel…