Center for Liberty in the Middle East

The Center for Liberty in the Middle East (CLIME) is a lobbying group and think-tank set up by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the European Foundation for Democracy to purportedly "promote democracy and support the work of reformers in the Middle East". However, its main focus seems to be "combatting terrorism" as the title of the launch notification indicates, as well as its launch date: September 11.Center for Liberty in the Middle East Creates Transatlantic Partnership to Promote Democracy, FDD notification for the launch of CLIME, 13 September 2006.
==Activities==
===CLIME Publications===
CLIME's main activity is to publish analysis publication about countries in the Middle East to "monitor" developments in the area.
:Several CLIME publications are now available online, including: the Syria Monitor, which tracks developments within the Syrian opposition; the Egypt Monitor, which includes news on reform movements in Egypt; and the Voices from the Middle East on Democratization and Reform, a series of papers by reformers weighing in on how Western democracies can support liberal democrats in the region.FDD, ibid.
===Advocacy===
CLIME acts together with its affiliate groups to train "moderate" civic groups in the Middle East in the art or lobbying and advocacy.
:Our team has extensive experience helping activists and organizations to advocate in Brussels and Washington D.C. on behalf of human rights and democratic reforms in the Middle East.About Us, CLIME, (Accessed: 21 September 2007)
===Events and Conferences===
CLIME organizes a series of events in Brussels and Washington DC to highlight or push "moderate" Middle Eastern scholars, politicians and journalists. These moderates are taken on tour to speak at parliaments, universities, etc.CLIME, ibid.
==Principals and Personnel==
*Roberta Bonazzi Europe Director
*Eleana Gordon US Director
*Khairi Abaza Senior Fellow
*Tony Badran Research Fellow
*Samer Libdeh Senior Fellow
*Bill McCarthy - Advocacy Programs Director US 
*Ammar Al Shahbander - Program Officer
Source: Our TeamOur Team, CLIME website, 21 September 2007)
===Adjunct Fellows===
*Ammar Abdulhamid Director, the Tharwa Project 
*Valentina Colombo Senior Research Fellow on Transition Processes towards Democracy in the Middle East, IMT Lucca Institute of Advanced Studies 
*Omar Fadl Author of Iraq the Model
*Elie Fawaz Lebanese Political Analyst
*Mehdi Khalaji Scholar of Iranian Reform
*Munir Mawari Yemeni-American Journalist
*Omar Sheikmous Head of VOA-Kurdish Language 
Source: PartnersPartners, CLIME website, 21 September 2007)
===Advisors=== 
*Rola Dashti Chairwoman, Economic Research Society
*Shafeeq Ghabra Chief Executive Officer, Jusoor Middle East Leadership, Education and Policy Institute
*Salameh Nematt Washington DC Bureau chief for Al Hayat 
*Ali Salem Egyptian Play Writer
*Jana Hybaskova Czech Member of the European Parliament
Source: PartnersCLIME, ibid.
==Affiliations==
*Foundation for Defense of Democracies parent organization
*European Foundation for Democracy 
*Middle East Forum (sponsors the speaking tours of CLIME "fellows" in the US)Speaking Tours, CLIME website, 21 September 2007)
*American Islamic Congress (Iraq, US) Partners, CLIME website, 21 September 2007)
*Dar Emar (Syria)CLIME, ibid.
*Friends of Democracy (Iraq)CLIME, ibid.
*Iraq Foundation (Iraq)CLIME, ibid.
*Interaction Forum (Jordan)CLIME, ibid.
*Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq (Iraq, US)CLIME, ibid.
==References, Resources and Contact==
===Contact===
:Website: www.mideastliberty.org
===References===