Engaging Islamists: The Evolving Policy Debate
Once considered taboo, official engagement of Islamists is now an important facet of US efforts to promote democracy in the Middle East. Yet this development remains controversial.
Proponents of engagement argue that no democracy promotion policy can succeed without including Islamist parties. Opponents respond that engagement could easily strengthen illiberal forces and even help legitimize groups that espouse or use violence. And event proponents of engagement differ as to how to integrate Islamists without compromising the spirit of democracy or the rules and procedures that sustain it.
Speakers
- Haleh Esfandiari, Director, Middle East Program, Woodrow Wilson Center, Chair
- Daniel Brumberg, Special Advisor, USIP; Associate Professor of Government, Georgetown University
- Amr Hamzawy, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
- Abdeslam Maghraoui, Director, Muslim World Initiative, USIP
- Mona Yacoubian, Special Advisor, USIP, Commentator