Why the Gaza hostage crisis is different Danielle Gilbert - October 13, 2023 What we know about Hamas hostage-taking and Israel’s hostage recovery policy.
Biden’s hostage diplomacy, explained Danielle Gilbert - September 20, 2023 It's a marriage of concessions and sanctions.
The World Cup of Democracy might look like this Chris Hanretty - December 3, 2022 What if we cheered for the more-democratic country in each World Cup match? Here’s who would win.
What Middle East scholars really think about boycotting Israel Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch - November 22, 2022 The latest Middle East Scholars Barometer survey explored this contentious issue — and more
Qatar is taking the heat for FIFA corruption Dan Hough - November 20, 2022 Investigations into FIFA’s actions reveal the global soccer organization has a long history of bribery and money-laundering. Will that change?
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.
Americans don’t trust the Supreme Court. That’s dangerous. Soren Jordan, Kathryn Haglin, Joseph Daniel Ura, and Alison Merrill - October 9, 2022 Unless the court wins back support, it could have a legitimacy crisis that endangers democracy
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.
There are two ways to kick Russia out of the world trade system. One is more likely to work. Timothy Meyer and Todd N. Tucker - March 11, 2022 Would WTO members change the rules?
The German economy depends on Russian gas. There’s a long history behind that. Marina E. Henke - February 18, 2022 What happens now to the Nord Stream 2 project?
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
Olympic officials resisted pressure to ban Iran from the Tokyo Games, but they’ve banned teams before Thandiwe Keet, Andrew Bertoli, and Aleksandra Smajevic - July 27, 2021 In these 9 cases, sporting authorities tried to ban a country from international competition — sometimes for years
Why do some Muslim-majority countries support China’s crackdown on Muslims? Jonathan Hoffman - May 3, 2021 Western countries have condemned the repression in Xinjiang, but Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt praised China’s efforts to restore ‘safety and security’
The U.S. is pulling out of Afghanistan. Don’t expect an al-Qaeda reboot. Daniel Byman - April 30, 2021 Here’s why the country won’t necessarily become a base for international terrorist attacks
Saudi Twitter blew up with support for the crown prince. How much of it is genuine? Andrew Leber and Alexei Abrahams - March 8, 2021 Tweets in support of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman racked up after a U.S. report implicated him in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Rumors are flying that China is behind the coup in Myanmar. That’s almost certainly wrong. Enze Han - March 1, 2021 But if the Myanmar crisis turns into a great power confrontation, China might back the generals.
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
Why Ethiopia’s conflict could spill beyond its borders David Kampf - November 30, 2020 Civil wars rarely remain purely domestic affairs
What will America’s commitment to Afghanistan look like after the election? Asfandyar Mir - November 1, 2020 The peace negotiations are in flux, and the Taliban has ramped up the violence
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
China’s making inroads in the Middle East. The Trump administration isn’t happy. Jonathan Fulton - June 2, 2020 But U.S. pressure to reject China could bring out a great power rivalry in the region
Saudi Arabia is launching an oil price war. That’s risky. Jim Krane - March 22, 2020 Without oil revenues, the monarchy could be in trouble
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
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.
Saudi Arabia held secret talks with Iran to ease regional tensions. Are they holding back the U.S.? Peter Henne - December 13, 2019 Arab Gulf countries are restraining the United States from war with Iran.
Could the gulf crisis with Qatar be winding down? Coates Ulrichsen - December 11, 2019 Here’s why progress — and diplomacy — might be possible.
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.
Why Jordan’s identity can’t be bought Sean Yom and Katrina Sammour - June 24, 2019 The deal of the century promises billions of dollars — and a future of regional instability.
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.
How is MBS’s consolidation of power affecting Saudi clerics in the opposition? Raihan Ismail - June 3, 2019 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the Islamic Summit
Attempts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization have failed before. Why is it returning now? Marc Lynch - May 1, 2019 Trump’s Middle East policy pattern shows disregard for the consequences.
Generals overthrew Sudan’s president, Bashir, but they can’t agree on what comes next Naunihal Singh - April 15, 2019 Demonstrators march with national flags during a rally demanding a
Sudan ousted two autocrats in three days. Here’s what’s next. Mai Hassan and Ahmed Kodouda - April 15, 2019 Protesters want a civilian transition government. That hasn’t happened.
The WTO just blew up Trump’s argument for steel tariffs Todd Tucker - April 5, 2019 'National security’ justifies trade restrictions only if there’s an actual national security exception.
Does the decline of U.S. power matter for the Middle East? Marc Lynch - March 19, 2019 Perceived or not, declining American primacy has real effects.
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.
Is the next Arab uprising happening in plain sight? Marc Lynch - February 26, 2019 Popular protests are on the rise across the Middle East again. What does it mean?
The blockade of Qatar has made Qataris more supportive of free speech D. Martin - February 12, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83572" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A couple walk by the sea
Trump claims that a national security exception allows him to block imports. Is he right? Marc Busch - January 11, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82483" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Vice President Pence listens during an
Qatar will leave OPEC. Here’s what this means. Jeff Colgan - December 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81214" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The headquarters of the Organization of
Mohammed bin Salman’s comeback tour Sarah Yerkes - December 6, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81172" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi, right,
Israel-Hamas fighting erupted just as negotiations advanced. What started it, and why does it matter? Wendy Pearlman and Boaz Atzili - November 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80233" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A ball of fire rises above
Saudi Arabia hinted at a U.S. oil embargo. It’s not 1973. Jeff Colgan - October 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78961" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's King Salman, right, meets
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.
Does the Russia-Turkey deal on Idlib signal a new era of relations in the Middle East? Peter Henne - October 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78547" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left,
Saudi Arabia just expelled the Canadian ambassador in Riyadh. Here’s why. Thomas Juneau - August 7, 2018 A bombshell hit the usually very quiet world of Canada-Middle
Why has the Syrian civil war lasted so long? Théodore McLauchlin - July 27, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76120" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Syrian national flag flies amid
Are ‘global cities’ an antidote to populism and nationalism? Istanbul offers some hope. Fisher Onar - July 19, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75823" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Istanbul is a bustling, diverse city,
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
Saudi women can drive starting Sunday. Why are feminists there still labeled traitors? Huda Alsahi - June 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74720" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Aziza al-Yousef drives a car on
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
On Israel’s 70th anniversary, what does the region think? Dana El Kurd - May 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73331" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Palestinian man throws leaflets dropped
The U.S. and UAE resolved an air dispute. Or did they? Ashley Nunes - May 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73342" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Etihad Airways plane prepares to
Why Gaza’s ‘March of Return’ isn’t dominating Arab headlines Marc Lynch - April 13, 2018 On Friday, March 30, Israeli troops killed more than 20
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
Why it won’t be easy to resolve Yemen’s many wars Stacey Philbrick Yadav and Marc Lynch - January 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68481" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Houthi supporters walk past al-Saleh Mosque
These were our 10 most popular posts of 2017 E.J. Graff - December 29, 2017 You've had a curious year in 2017 — at least,
Three things to know about Trump’s Jerusalem gambit Marc Lynch - December 7, 2017 President Trump announced a radical departure in U.S. Middle East
Lebanon’s economic dependence on Saudi Arabia is dangerous Hannes Baumann - December 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66999" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lebanese President Michel Aoun, right, speaks
Survey research in the Middle East needs to be transparent. Here’s why. David Pollock - November 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66326" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Qatari woman walks in front
What Saudi Arabia’s purge means for the Middle East Marc Lynch - November 6, 2017 International and domestic crises dominated Saudi Arabia over the weekend. On Saturday,
The dangers of unscientific surveys in the Arab world Justin Gengler - October 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65142" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Doha, Qatar's capital. (Reuters)[/caption] Hardly a day
Saudi Arabia finally let women drive. Don’t mistake it for democratic reform. Stéphane Lacroix - October 5, 2017 In September 2017, Saudi Arabia granted its female citizens the
Everyone is taking sides in the Qatar crisis. Here’s why these four North African states aren’t. Youssef Cherif - September 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63263" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, left,
Will the International Criminal Court’s latest target in Libya be brought to justice? Mark Kersten - August 31, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63104" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Armed Libyan men wave their national
Why a new Palestinian intifada could be non-violent: because that’s what Hamas wants Wendy Pearlman and Imad Alsoos - August 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62979" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli police officers on patrol in
What Twitter can tell us about the Jerusalem protests Akin Unver - August 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62825" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian Muslims wave a national flag
How Egypt wound up in the center of a Gulf Cooperation Council dispute on Qatar Karen Young - August 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62679" align="aligncenter" width="960"] FROM LEFT: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel
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
Why did Qatar just change its residency laws? Sage Mitchell - August 9, 2017 For more than two months, Qatar has been under a
Oman is a mediator in Yemen. Can it play the same role in Qatar? Stacey Philbrick Yadav - July 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61275" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Representatives of the Omani government disembark
Trump has no long-term foreign policy vision. Here’s how that’s hurting America. Henry Farrell - July 17, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61019" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A book by Thomas Wright of
Three big lessons of the Qatar crisis Marc Lynch - July 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60977" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Qatar's foreign minister Sheikh 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
My Middle East politics summer reading picks Marc Lynch - July 3, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60598" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The sun rises in Cairo on July
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
Who is Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince? Coates Ulrichsen - June 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60252" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The new crown prince of Saudi
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 biggest Trump-era trade dispute may be over airlines. Here’s what’s happening. Ashley Nunes - June 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59979" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Delta Air Lines jet sits
How Trump’s alignment with Saudi Arabia and the UAE is inflaming the Middle East Marc Lynch - June 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59460" align="aligncenter" width="960"]in President Trump speaks with Qatar's Sheikh
Hacking, bots and information wars in the Qatar spat Marc Jones - June 7, 2017 U.S. investigators claim Russians might be behind some the hacking
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
Where are Europe’s illegal migrants coming from? Surprise: It’s Bangladesh. Nayma Qayum - May 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58568" align="alignleft" width="960"] A rescuer with the Malta-based NGO
The Gulf states are turning to Asia in a big way. Here’s why it matters. Coates Ulrichsen - April 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57067" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's King Salman leaves with
Trump’s strike is more of the same in Syria Christopher Phillips - April 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56558" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump speaks April 6 after
Trump just bombed Syria. What next? Marc Lynch - April 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_56528" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A satellite image of Shayrat Airfield
Trump won’t allow you to use iPads or laptops on certain airlines. Here’s why. Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman - March 21, 2017 From Tuesday on, passengers traveling to the U.S. from 10
The U.S. carried out extraordinary rendition flights from 2001-2005. Here are 15 more countries that helped. Rebecca Cordell - March 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_55337" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A barbed wire fence surrounding a
Did Congo’s crisis just get a lot worse? Philip Roessler and Harry Verhoeven - February 3, 2017 [caption id="attachment_53587" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Congo police forces clash with civilians
Want more Olympic medals? Here’s what nations need to do to win. Danyel Reiche - August 3, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44850" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The all-time Olympic medal leader, U.S.
How Middle Eastern monarchies survived the Arab Spring Sean Yom - July 29, 2016 [caption id="attachment_44203" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders meet
Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood faces a dilemma: Religion or politics? Khalil al-Anani - June 20, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42313" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and
Arab regimes’ sympathy over the Orlando massacre may seem hypocritical. But it’s a start. Samar Habib - June 17, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42276" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Law enforcement officers converge on the scene
Why it’s wrong to say that the Arab uprisings failed Marc Lynch - March 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_37971" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Egyptians wave their nation's flag in
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