Democratic reforms in Gulf and Arab nations

A look at democratic reform efforts in Arab and Gulf nations since the Arab Spring erupted in December 2010:SAUDI ARABIASaudi women were allowed this year for the first time in the Shura Council, an advisory body, and women will for the first time be allowed to vote and run in municipal elections planned for 2015. But the House of Saud runs the country.UNITED ARAB EMIRATESThe United Arab Emirates expanded the powers of its elected assembly, the Federal National Council, but it still has very limited authority and the candidates and electorate are hand-picked by the ruling families.OMANOman responded to the protests with some reforms such as elections for local councils that have no direct powers but will serve in an advisory role. But all key decisions still rest with Sultan Qaboos bin Said.QATARThe former emir extended the term of the country's advisory panel, also known as the Shura Council. It's unclear how long the term would last, but the move is likely to delay elections for a more powerful legislative body proposed for later this year.KUWAITKuwait has the most politically empowered parliament among the Gulf Arab states, but opposition groups want more concessions from the ruling Al Sabah family. Clashes erupted late last year before parliamentary elections that were boycotted by many opposition factions.YEMENThe president was forced by protesters to step down, a new constitution is being drafted and elections are expected next year.BAHRAINBahrain is in the midst of Arab Spring-inspired unrest that has been simmering for several years but so far has failed to dislodge the ruling Al Khalifas.JORDANNew laws give the elected parliament stronger powers including a broader supervisory role over the Cabinet and picking the prime minister, but the king retains ultimate control. King Abdullah II has said he will gradually give the parliament more oversight over the state's daily affairs, but will “continue to serve as guarantor of the constitution” and “to play a role in vital strategic issues of foreign policy and national security.”EGYPTPresident Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood emerged as the main winners in Egypt's first free parliamentary and presidential elections but were accused of trying to monopolize power. The military ousted Morsi in a popularly supported coup and installed a technocratic government. New elections are promised, but the timing is vague.TUNISIATunisia is struggling through a political transition after the ouster of its long-time dictator nearly three years ago. The country is suffering from economic woes and a sharp rise in extremism. Efforts to produce a new constitution have stalled and the assassinations of opposition politicians have thrown the process into chaos.LIBYALibya's post-Moammar Gadhafi government has been mired in political paralysis, fueled by rivalry between a Muslim Brotherhood-led bloc of Islamists and a liberal-leaning bloc following successful parliamentary elections last year. The sides have been unable to choose an assembly to write a new constitution and the central government has failed to rein in armed militias.IRAQIraq has had several democratic elections since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, but they are overshadowed by sectarianism and tribalism that has led to a recent rise in violence. The political process is plagued by partisanship and political gridlock, and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is accused by many of having authoritarian tendencies.MOROCCOSporadic protests press for greater democratic reforms, but major demonstrations ended in 2011 after a new constitution was presented and early elections were won by an opposition party.ALGERIAPro-reform protests have been limited by lavish spending of oil revenue on social and jobs programs, but Algeria's vast youth population appears increasingly disenchanted with the old guard leadership.SYRIAPresident Bashar Assad has ostensibly promised reform and introduced a new constitution and new election and party laws, but such offers are seen by the opposition as efforts to buy time and rebel groups insist that he step down and hand power to a transitional government with full executive powers. The country remains mired in a civil war that killed more than 100,000 people and displaced millions of others.