Middle East Research and Information Project

Critical Coverage of the Middle East Since 1971

Vickie Langohr

Vickie Langohr is associate professor at College of the Holy Cross. Her teaching and research interests are in Middle East politics, women's rights and democratization.

Current Analysis

New President, Old Pattern of Sexual Violence in Egypt

On June 3, the day that the Elections Commission announced the victory of ‘Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt’s presidential race, television announcer Radwa Ruhayyim covered the festivities in Tahrir Square. Surrounded by ululating revelers, she noted that, amidst the celebrations, several women had be

Vickie Langohr • 12 min read

MER Article

"This Is Our Square"

In June 2013 popular anger, excitement and apprehension rippled through Cairo. Lines at gas stations snaked into major roadways, paralyzing traffic. Artists occupied the Ministry of Culture to oppose a new minister from the Muslim Brothers’ Freedom and Justice Party who had fired respected cultural

Vickie Langohr • 21 min read

MER Article

Experiments in Multi-Ethnic and Multi-Religious Democracy

Democracy’s succinct definition, and perhaps its best attribute, is majority rule. But it is unclear that majority rule equates to democracy in places like Lebanon, Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries that are contending with past and present religious or ethnic conflict. Clearly, democracy in s

Vickie Langohr • 11 min read

Current Analysis

Frosty Reception for US Religious Freedom Commission in Egypt

What if you had a party and no one came? On March 22, members of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)—visiting Cairo on a fact-finding tour—waited in vain for members of Egyptian political parties and civil society groups to arrive at the commission's

Vickie Langohr • 7 min read

Current Analysis

Cracks in Egypt's Electoral Engineering

November 8 marks the beginning of the third and final round of elections to the lower house of parliament in Egypt, the largest Arab country and the second-largest recipient of US foreign aid. With 282 of the 444 races now complete, results so far have included a strikingly poor showing

Vickie Langohr • 6 min read