Ed Husain
Senior Fellow for Middle Eastern Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
Expertise
Islamist ideologies; Islamist political movements in the greater Middle East; civil society counterradicalization strategies; government counterterrorism policies; Salafism; Sufism; Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria.
Programs
Civil Society, Markets, and Democracy Initiative, Middle East Program
Featured Publications
Ed Husain says Europe needs to foster a greater sense of multiculturalism. In the United States, immigrants are accepted; in most of Europe, they are just tolerated.
See more in Europe/Russia, Minorities, Diversity and Foreign Policy, Society and Culture, Immigration
Unnoticed by the West, al-Qaeda is seizing a golden opportunity in Syria, says Ed Husain.
See more in Middle East, Syria, Terrorism
Ed Husain calls on Muslim communities to respond constructively to the controversial film about the Prophet Mohammed that has led to protests in Egypt, Libya, and Yemen.
See more in North Africa, Middle East, Religion
All Publications
During a recent trip to Tunisia, Ed Husain says that the constant theme raised was the concern about the increasing appeal of hardline Salafism among the country's youth.
See more in Tunisia, Democratization, Religion
Ed Husain reviews The Arab Awakening: Islam and the New Middle East, by Tariq Ramadan.
See more in Middle East, Political Movements, Religion and Politics
Ed Husain argues that it is impossible to tell whether Bashar al-Assad's time is running out, but containing--not fanning--the current conflict in Syria is in everybody's interests.
See more in Syria, Political Movements
Ed Husain reviews Imran Khan's Pakistan.
See more in Pakistan, Counterradicalization, Religion, Religion and Politics
Ed Husain reviews Imran Khan's Pakistan: A Personal History.
See more in Pakistan, Democracy and Human Rights, Political Movements
The killing of Punjab's governor, Salman Taseer, was symptomatic of widespread religious intolerance and fanaticism in Pakistan, says CFR’s Ed Husain.
See more in Pakistan, Democracy and Human Rights, Religion, Religion and Politics
Four experts discuss what the U.S. options are for addressing the Syria crisis, with suggestions ranging from avoiding direct actions to enforcing a Libya-style no-fly zone.
See more in Syria
As the debate over intervention or arming the opposition grows amid continuing violence in Syria, four CFR experts offer their recommendations on how Washington should respond to the crisis.
See more in Syria, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Post-Qaddafi Libya will face difficulties with rebel infighting, the anger of Qaddafi loyalists, and more, but the long-time dictator's death also creates an opening for a more peaceful country. CFR's Richard Haass, Ed Husain, and Ray Takeyh weigh Libya's prospects.
See more in Libya, Democracy and Human Rights, Nation Building
Al-Qaeda may become the Free Syrian Army's most potent weapon against the Assad regime, but its collaboration with rebel forces poses serious risks for the country's future, says CFR's Ed Husain.
See more in Syria, Nation Building, Counterterrorism
Disunity among Libya's rebels, a growing Islamist radical movement, and angry Qaddafi loyalists will mean a continued need for NATO involvement to check a possible slide into chaos.
See more in Libya, Democracy and Human Rights
A new plan from the White House aimed at the prevention of domestically based, violent extremism offers little substance, and seems more concerned with not offending the U.S. Muslim community, says CFR's Ed Husain.
See more in United States, Terrorism
The Syrian opposition has realized that Assad likely cannot be toppled militarily, but must be pushed out through a negotiated solution, says CFR's Ed Husain.
See more in Syria
CFR's Ed Husain discusses the significance of a newly formed coalition of Syrian opposition groups and whether a real political settlement can be achieved anytime soon.
See more in Syria, International Peace and Security
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation's meeting in Mecca will likely focus on Syria, but raises questions on the efficacy of its role in tackling major issues affecting Muslims, says CFR's Ed Husain.
See more in Middle East, International Organizations
The country's instability should not be viewed as a simple push for democratic reforms, and the outcome has implications for Iran's role in the region, says CFR's Ed Husain.
See more in Bahrain, Democracy and Human Rights, U.S. Strategy and Politics
A deadline for cease-fire in Syria is set, but the international community remains divided on ways forward. CFR's Ed Husain says many questions remain about opposition unity, leadership transition, and whether it will be possible to keep the peace.
See more in Syria
The Islamists' lead in parliamentary polls has aroused some concerns over Egypt's democratic future. But the real threat, says CFR's Ed Husain, comes from those secular elites who prefer the former autocratic regime or military rule over elected Islamists.
See more in Egypt, Political Movements
The Post asked experts what America should do about unrest in the Middle East. Below are responses from Steven Heydemann, Stephen J. Hadley, Aaron David Miller, Danielle Pletka, Hussein Agha, Robert Malley, Marina Ottaway, Andrew Albertson and Ed Husain.
In the Syrian conflict, the U.S. should stay one removed and allow for its allies to lead, says Ed Husain.
See more in United States, Middle East, Syria