Many observers have argued that social media such as Facebook and Twitter will help opposition activists coordinate and overcome authoritarian regimes; others believe that such tools will have little impact. Evidence from the “Arab Spring” is inconclusive, with advocates for each position finding support in the events in Tunisia, Egypt, and elsewhere. When does social media help political movements succeed? Motivated by an experience serving as a “campaign manager” for a colleague’s bid to become the Washington Posfs “Next Great Pundit,” I argue that relying on Internet-based social networking tools (such as Facebook and Twitter) may lead campaigns to perform more poorly when the regime is able to change the election’s rules in mid-campaign. Consequently, researchers observing only the messages broadcast by social media will miss the true coordination taking place, which happens through channels unobservable to the regime. Examples from Middle Eastern politics Suggest that real-world political activists recognize these distinctions and adjust their messaging accordingly.

The Middle East has become a key place in the battle to negotiate the role of women. Indeed, during the Arab Spring revolutions, women actively and publicly participated. This was a striking feature, as many of the countries in the region had and continue to actively regulate the private and public lives of women. As revolution gives way to transition, questions remain as to how these newfound realities will incorporate gender in the state-building and reintegration processes, as well as in economic development and the rule of law. Zainab Salbi, founder of Women for Women International, a grassroots development organization that has helped women globally access social and economic opportunities, shares with the Journal her reflections on the future. Having interviewed women activists over the past few months, Salbi explores the vital role of women activists in the revolutions, and argues that we cannot talk about the stability and future of these countries without recognizing the “Third Way” and the moderating and inclusive voices of these women.