Why does Biden want Saudi-Israeli normalization so badly? Marc Lynch - September 20, 2023 The Abraham Accords may define a new regional order.
Why Qatar’s World Cup was controversial a decade before the first game Paul Michael Brannagan and Danyel Reiche - November 14, 2022 Global sports put Qatar’s human rights record in the spotlight. That’s likely to continue — and may have prompted changes in the country.
The West wants to cut off Russia’s oil revenues. Who will that hurt? Jan Stockbruegger - October 20, 2022 The United States and its allies plan to embargo Russian crude oil shipments — and impose a price cap on Russian oil. That might backfire.
Many Ethiopians see illegal migration as the only escape from violence Lauren Carruth and Lahra Smith - July 18, 2022 Governments and asylum systems offer women few protections, our research finds
Ukraine war has side effects on Middle East geopolitics Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch - April 10, 2022 Here’s what our 2022 survey of Middle East scholars found.
The Ukraine conflict has Persian Gulf monarchies hedging their bets Cinzia Bianco - March 14, 2022 Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates haven’t been aligning with the U.S. — or Russia
Why can’t Lebanon’s leaders fix its economic crisis? Jamal Ibrahim Haidar and Adeel Malik - October 20, 2021 Lebanese politicians and elites profit from their corrupt system — and foreign donors keep propping them up to hang onto their own influence
Qatar’s first elected parliament may have more power than other Persian Gulf legislatures. Here’s why. Dania Thafer - October 13, 2021 The elected-appointed legislator ratio is one key indicator of parliamentary power
20 years after 9/11, the U.S. is again in a great power confrontation James Goldgeier - September 9, 2021 The end of the Cold War scrambled U.S. foreign policy — and then 9/11 scrambled it again. Here’s what remains the same.
Saudi Arabia just lifted Qatar’s 43-month blockade. How did this rift end? Coates Ulrichsen - January 8, 2021 A new agreement appears to cover these three points
What do ordinary Arabs think about normalizing relations with Israel? Dana El Kurd - October 25, 2020 Our research suggests many oppose normalization but may be reluctant to say so
Kuwait’s leader has died. The royals are now fighting over who will be crown prince. Sean Yom - September 30, 2020 The next-generation leaders have a history of feuding among themselves
Why Gulf nations are normalizing ties with Israel Jonathan Hoffman - September 24, 2020 Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to recognize Israel
‘Fake news’ methods change faster than Western governments can react. Here’s how to keep up. H. Akin Unver - August 13, 2020 Understanding how Russia, Turkey and the Gulf nations use disinformation could guide better safeguards against foreign interference
With two American soldiers dead in Iraq, how will the U.S. respond? Ramzy Mardini and Asfandyar Mir - March 12, 2020 Iran and its Shiite militias may be trying to provoke the U.S. into attacking.
Meet Oman’s new sultan. How will he navigate the region’s turmoil? Cinzia Bianco - January 14, 2020 The late Sultan Qaboos leaves behind a legacy of peace and diplomacy
The U.S.-Iran crisis has calmed down — but things won’t ever go back to how they were before Christopher Clary - January 12, 2020 The U.S. has to worry about more-accurate Iranian missiles, while the downed airplane has brought Iranian protesters to the street
Could U.S. actions topple Iran’s government? Alexander Downes - January 11, 2020 Here’s why it would be extremely difficult.
How did the U.S. get to the brink of war with Iran? Afshon Ostovar - January 3, 2020 The assassination of Soleimani will provoke Iran to act
Expect a tumultuous 2020 in the Middle East Marc Lynch - December 31, 2019 The embassy assault in Baghdad is just the beginning. Here are 3 trends to watch.
Looking back at the Middle East’s 2019: Surprises from Trump, Saudi power moves, protests and more Stephanie Dahle - December 29, 2019 Here are 5 takeaways.
Could the gulf crisis with Qatar be winding down? Coates Ulrichsen - December 11, 2019 Here’s why progress — and diplomacy — might be possible.
Is the impeachment inquiry really ‘unconstitutional’? Andrew Rudalevige - October 10, 2019 There’s a long history of White House lawyers saying what the boss wants to hear.
Is there a way out of the Iran crisis? Mohammad Tabaar - October 2, 2019 Yes, research provides insight into Iran’s foreign policy — and a possible way to stop the escalation between Iran and United States.
Saudi, UAE Twitter takedowns won’t curb rampant disinformation on Arab Twitter Marc Owen Jones - September 24, 2019 Recent activity by social media networks to rein in bot and troll networks is only a token gesture.
Trump will send troops to Saudi Arabia. Here’s why it matters that there’s no formal defense alliance. Mira Rapp-Hooper - September 22, 2019 The U.S. has a number of mutual defense treaties — but not with Saudi Arabia or Israel.
The UAE is weakening its partnership with the Saudis in Yemen. Here’s why that matters. Mareike Transfeld - August 28, 2019 What you should know about the clashes in southern Yemen
Oil probably won’t cause a war with Iran, but it certainly adds fuel to the blaze Jeff Colgan - July 20, 2019 Tensions are high, and liquid natural gas tankers are vulnerable to attack.
How cyber operations can help manage crisis escalation with Iran Brandon Valeriano and Benjamin Jensen - June 24, 2019 The research suggests this might be a digital off-ramp to war.
The Stone Roses, ‘Shoot You Down’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - June 21, 2019 Tensions in the Gulf.
Why Iran’s ‘oil weapon’ isn’t that scary Rosemary A. Kelanic - June 17, 2019 Blocking access to oil supplies rarely works as a strategy.
War with Iran is probably less likely than you think Michael Horowitz and Elizabeth N. Saunders - June 17, 2019 Here’s what to watch for.
Jordanians worry that the ‘deal of the century’ will come at their expense Curtis Ryan - May 31, 2019 At a protest against the United States’ Middle East peace
Why the Houthi drone strikes targeted Saudi oil facilities Samuel Ramani - May 29, 2019 Yemen’s Houthi rebels are not just Iran’s proxies
Iran reduces commitment to the nuclear deal amid increased U.S. pressure Dina Esfandiary - May 9, 2019 President Rouhani gives remaining parties of the JCPOA a 60-day deadline to help protect Iran’s interests before walking away.
What happened in Sri Lanka? Here’s what you need to know. Kate Cronin-Furman - April 23, 2019 These attacks come at a precarious political moment.
Why Saudi Arabia is turning to Asia Jonathan Fulton - March 5, 2019 Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman visited Pakistan, India and China in a growing effort to diversify Saudi foreign relations.
Bashar al-Assad’s international rehabilitation has begun Christopher Phillips - January 5, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82196" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Sept. 1, 2013, photo,
Recent protests in Sudan are much more than bread riots Zachariah Mampilly and Nisrin Elamin - December 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_82007" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People chanted slogans during a protest
Has Mohammed bin Salman finally gone too far? Coates Ulrichsen - October 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78928" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
How authoritarian regimes use migration to exert ‘soft power’ in foreign policy Gerasimos Tsourapas - July 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75407" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has
Fifty years ago, American troops abandoned Khe Sanh. Here’s how the U.S. got over ‘Vietnam syndrome.’ Jonathan DiCicco and Benjamin Fordham - July 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75322" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] In this Feb. 7, 1968, photo,
How cheap oil hurts sub-Saharan Africa Emily Meierding - June 21, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74773" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Cranes line the skyline of downtown
A plague of Twitter bots is roiling the Middle East Marc Jones and Alexei Abrahams - June 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74110" align="aligncenter" width="960"] WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger icons on
Trump meets Qatar’s emir today. But efforts to resolve the Persian Gulf dispute have already stalled. Coates Ulrichsen - April 10, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72019" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Defense Secretary Jim Mattis stands with
The Kurdish referendum backfired badly. Here’s why. Renad Mansour - October 25, 2017 Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered his forces
How a few young leaders are shaking up foreign policy in the Gulf Cooperation Council Russell Lucas - August 11, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62243" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin
Cyberwarfare has taken a new turn. Yes, it’s time to worry. Ryan Maness, Brandon Valeriano, and Benjamin Jensen - July 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60848" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (Ritchie B. Tongo/European Pressphoto Agency)[/caption] The
What the Qatar crisis shows about the Middle East Gregory Gause - June 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60415" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man walks past the Qatar
China is trying to pull Middle East countries into its version of NATO Jonathan Fulton - June 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60134" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The daily flag-lowering ceremony at sunset
The Internet is changing civil wars. Watch out for these five trends. Barbara Walter - June 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59494" align="aligncenter" width="960"] South Sudanese refugees shelter from the
Why key Arab countries have cut ties with Qatar — and what Trump had to do with it Michael Stephens - June 7, 2017 The decision by five Arab states to sever ties with
What’s going on with Qatar? Coates Ulrichsen - June 1, 2017 Tensions have resurfaced in a sustained media onslaught that has
Trump seeks greater collaboration with Saudi Arabia, but will this boost counterterrorism? Stephen Tankel - May 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58837" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump meets with Saudi King
Wealthier nations can learn from how tiny Djibouti welcomes refugees Lauren Carruth and Lahra Smith - March 30, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56099" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children play on April 13, 2015,
So China seized a U.S. drone submarine? Welcome to the future of international conflict. Erik Lin-Greenberg - December 23, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51720" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Chinese media reported on the seizure
Hold off on the obituaries for Islamist parties in the Middle East Marc Lynch - December 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51548" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Tunisian Ennadha Party supporters wave flags
Here’s why Saudi Arabia is loosening its restrictions on women Yu-Ming Liou and Paul Musgrave - June 27, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42883" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi women vote during municipal elections
No, White House lawyers would not prevent a President Trump from overstepping his constitutional bounds Andrew Rudalevige - June 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42060" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] (Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP)[/caption] A recent New
At this week’s OPEC meeting, expect much ado about nothing Jeff Colgan - May 31, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41293" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Ali al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia's petroleum minister,
The real refugee crisis is in the Middle East, not Europe Rawan Arar, Lisel Hintz, and Kelsey Norman - May 14, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40540" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Syrian refugees await approval to enter
Here’s why so many of Europe’s terrorist attacks come through this one Brussels neighborhood Julia Lynch - April 5, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38486" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Forensic police investigate outside the building
What does our energy future look like? This new report offers a glimpse. David Victor - March 2, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36651" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Ali al-Naimi, center, the Saudi minister
How Bahrain’s crushed uprising spawned the Middle East’s sectarianism Justin Gengler - February 13, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35676" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Demonstrators chant and wave Bahraini flags
Here’s how falling oil prices could make the world more peaceful and cooperative Erik Voeten - January 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_20002" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Oil pumps work at sunset in
The Middle East and East Asia: A tale of two economic trajectories Etel Solingen - August 11, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28383" align="aligncenter" width="908"] People wait in line to buy
The danger of (mis)perceptions after the Iran deal Mohammad Tabaar - August 3, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28151" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="align center "] Iranian Foreign Minister
How to manage Saudi anger at the Iran nuclear deal Gene Gerzhoy - May 22, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25174" align="aligncenter" width="262"] The U.S. can continue to negotiate
The Iran deal sharpens the Persian Gulf region’s sectarian divide Frederic Wehrey - April 17, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23825" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Anti-Houthi protesters demonstrate to show
How Morocco's unions took advantage of the Arab uprisings - March 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23039" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A man chants slogans during a
How Morocco’s unions took advantage of the Arab uprisings Matt Buehler - March 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23039" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A man chants slogans during a
Gulf states pursue unique approaches to falling oil prices Scott Weiner - January 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20002" align="alignnone" width="620"] Oil pumps work at sunset in
Migrants in post-revolution Egypt Kelsey Norman - January 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_19861" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Syrian refugee Abdel Nasser prepares platters
The best Middle East political science books of 2014 Marc Lynch - December 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19560" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Saudi Shiite protesters demonstrate against the death
Economic development promotes democracy, but there's a catch Joshua Tucker - December 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19522" align="alignnone" width="620"] Demonstrators hold a banner featuring a
Economic development promotes democracy, but there’s a catch Daniel Treisman - December 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_19522" align="alignnone" width="620"] Demonstrators hold a banner featuring a
Electoral rules (and threats) cure Bahrain's sectarian parliament - December 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18579" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Bahraini man votes in Manama
Electoral rules (and threats) cure Bahrain’s sectarian parliament Justin Gengler - December 1, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18579" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Bahraini man votes in Manama
Sectarianism comes back to bite Saudi Arabia Toby Matthiesen - November 18, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18229" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Saudi Shiite protesters take part in
Reflections on the Arab uprisings Marc Lynch - November 17, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18237" align="aligncenter" width="5616"] Egyptian anti-government protesters chant slogans as
Who needs Congress? Andrew Rudalevige - August 20, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14696" align="alignleft" width="908"] A U.S. Navy F/A-18 launches off
What Ukraine means for how we study war Joshua Rovner - August 4, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13669" align="aligncenter" width="780"] An armored personnel carrier flying Ukraine's
Why the Ukraine separatists screwed up: Badly organized insurgents can’t master complex weapons systems Stephen Biddle and Ivan Oelrich - July 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13277" align="alignnone" width="620"] Ukrainian rescue servicemen inspect part of
Why the Ukraine separatists screwed up: Badly organized insurgents can't master complex weapons systems Stephen Biddle and Ivan Oelrich - July 21, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13277" align="alignnone" width="620"] Ukrainian rescue servicemen inspect part of
Why U.S. military involvement will hurt Iraq and increase suicide terrorism Robert Pape - June 19, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12047" align="aligncenter" width="706"] Iraqis gather at the site of
Is this the end of Sykes-Picot? Gregory Gause - May 20, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10666" align="aligncenter" width="605"] Dr. Michael Izady, Gulf/2000 Program at
Kuwait’s royals are taking their feuds public Kristin Diwan - May 8, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Kuwaiti Minister for Cabinet Affairs
The logic of partially suspending aid to Egypt Erik Voeten - October 12, 2013 This is a guest post by Sharanbir Grewal, a PhD
Administrative Politics Andrew Rudalevige - June 25, 2012 While everyone else is busy rebutting Jacqueline Stevens, I wanted
Iran’s Dangerous Bluster over the Strait of Hormuz Joshua Tucker - January 5, 2012 The following is a guest post from Caitlin Talmadge, a
How Important is Turkey’s Support of the Free Syrian Army? Erica Chenoweth - October 30, 2011 This week, the New York Times reported that Turkey has
Presidential War Powers Update: “Hostilities” = “Vietnam”? Andrew Rudalevige - June 30, 2011 President Obama's press conference yesterday dealt with an issue I've