Online Discourse in the Arab World

Summary

A new USIP report examines online discourse in the Arab world and emerging trends of the blogosphere. The report is based on an event held at the U.S. Institute of Peace on June 17, 2009, when researchers from Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society presented their findings from a comprehensive mapping of the Arabic-language blogosphere. Authors Joel Whitaker and Anand Varghese assess the conclusions of the groundbreaking research and their implications for policymakers and peacebuilders around the world.

Watch a video of the event, “Online Discourse in the Arab World: Dispelling the Myths.”

About the Authors

This USIPeace Briefing was written by Joel Whitaker, senior adviser to the Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding at the United States Institute of Peace, and Anand Varghese, program facilitator for the Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding.