Will the Report Have Sustained
Tangible Impact on Arab Reform

When testing the impact of the last two reports on Arab reform, one may conclude that the way to reform in the Arab region is still too long. As evidence, Arab states have not yet taken serious steps to cure the three deficits confirmed by the 2002 Report: the lack of good governance, the lack of knowledge, and women's rights. Most of the steps carried out by Arab regimes since that report can only be described as half-hearted, cosmetic, and ineffective.

This definitely does not make futile the issuing of another – Report in 2004, which like its two predecessors was written by highly acclaimed Arab intellectuals who carried out a through research to address the socio- economic and political malaises plaguing the Arab countries proposed the needed solutions and remedies. While this year's Report touched on the basic problems of unemployment and poverty, its main concern was with the wide-spread lack of civil and political freedom in the Arab world. Coupled with a gross lack of basic human rights the low paces of Arab reform has marginalized and frustrated populations, radicalized some, and tightened the grip on power of the governing elite.

In fact, the Arab world has already been saturated with similar reports that shed lights on the grim reality pervading the region. Nevertheless, non- of these reports had been accompanied by a practical mechanism for the implementation of the recommendations embodied on them. Therefore, in order for Report to have a practical value, a way should be found so as to interpret the recommendations proposed by the 2004 report into action plans that have definite objectives and that are to be carried out according a strict timetable. Otherwise, the 2004 report will definitely be shelved next to its predecessors.