It’s risky for Biden to go to the Middle East Shibley Telhami - July 6, 2022 Fewer than one-quarter of Americans approve of the president’s mid-July trip, our survey found
What rising oil prices tell us about the oil market’s geopolitics Inwook Kim - April 11, 2022 It’s not all about the war in Ukraine
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
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
Why Gulf nations are normalizing ties with Israel Jonathan Hoffman - September 24, 2020 Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to recognize Israel
The price of oil was actually negative last week. What happens next? Stephen Paduano - April 28, 2020 Cheap oil is causing pain from Texas to Nigeria.
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
Could the gulf crisis with Qatar be winding down? Coates Ulrichsen - December 11, 2019 Here’s why progress — and diplomacy — might be possible.
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.
After the Saudi oil attack, will the U.S. and Saudis start a war with Iran? Here are 3 things to know. Austin Carson - September 17, 2019 Iran — and Saudi Arabia — might prefer to let responsibility for the attack remain unclear.
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
Iran’s cooperation with the Taliban could affect talks on U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan Ariane M. Tabatabai - August 8, 2019 Here’s what’s motivating the recently publicized ties.
Iran’s nuclear program seems to be accelerating. Will Saudi Arabia take a similar path? Eliza Gheorghe - July 12, 2019 In a multipolar world, curbing nuclear transfers becomes more difficult.
Yes, Trump can override Congress and sell weapons to Saudi Arabia — even over Republican objections Jennifer Spindel - May 29, 2019 It’s not easy for Congress to block arms sales.
Why the Houthi drone strikes targeted Saudi oil facilities Samuel Ramani - May 29, 2019 Yemen’s Houthi rebels are not just Iran’s proxies
How Saudi Arabia uses women’s rights reforms against women’s rights and reform Nermin Allam - March 29, 2019 The crown prince’s approach to women’s rights still excludes feminists.
In Canada, two of Justin Trudeau’s ministers resigned. Let’s catch up on this scandal. Tyler Kustra - March 6, 2019 Jody Wilson-Raybould, pictured with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in
The Trump administration wants to sell nuclear technology to the Saudis — without a nuclear agreement. That’s alarming. Matthew Fuhrmann - February 21, 2019 Here are the three reasons it’s worrisome.
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,
Last week showed how Trump’s management of his team is hurting his own foreign policy. It’s only going to get worse. Elizabeth N. Saunders - December 10, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81377" align="alignleft" width="960"] Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., chairman of
Yemen’s looming famine has been a long time coming Peter Salisbury - December 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81069" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A father gives water to his
After Khashoggi, Saudi Arabia’s economic future is uncertain Karen Young - October 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79287" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
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.
What is the Global Magnitsky Act, and why are U.S. senators invoking this on Saudi Arabia? Jordan Tama - October 12, 2018 Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi has not been seen since he
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
The big gains for women’s rights in the Middle East, explained Feryal Cherif and Benjamin Bishin - July 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75893" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Hessah al-Ajaji drives her car on
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
What can we learn from Lebanon’s elections? Amanda Rizkallah - May 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73208" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri gives
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 Putin’s oil maneuvers will keep Russia in the Middle East Nicholas Trickett - April 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71814" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A worker passes an illuminated drilling
In Yemen, 2018 looks like it will be another grim year Peter Salisbury - January 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_67944" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Shiite Houthi rebels attend
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
Why did Saudi Arabia target billionaire media tycoons in its purge? Marwan Kraidy - November 16, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66354" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin
Why Lebanon’s prime minister resigned Jeffrey Karam - November 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65978" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lebanon's Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned
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 Kurdish referendum backfired badly. Here’s why. Renad Mansour - October 25, 2017 Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered his forces
Women will soon be issuing fatwas in Saudi Arabia. This isn’t as groundbreaking as you’d think. Richard Nielsen - October 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64680" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi election officials sit at a
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
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 a controversial Iraqi Shiite cleric visited Saudi Arabia Fanar Haddad - August 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62199" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr visited
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
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
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
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
Will Trump’s ‘principled realism’ let autocrats off the hook? Quinn Mecham - May 24, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58806" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump speaks during the Arab
Trump isn’t a huge fan of NATO. But his complaints are off target. James Goldgeier - May 24, 2017 Although there was relief in Europe when President Trump declared last
How war is changing Yemen’s largest Islamist coalition Stacey Philbrick Yadav - March 22, 2017 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A person inspects a destroyed house
Why is Saudi Arabia’s king spending a month in Asia? Jonathan Fulton - March 6, 2017 [caption id="attachment_54964" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Arabia's King Salman appears with
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
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
Sudan’s president was indicted. Why isn’t he paying any price? Mark Kersten - May 26, 2016 [caption id="attachment_41107" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir laughs
No, Yemen’s Houthis actually aren’t Iranian puppets Thomas Juneau - May 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40606" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Armed members of a Houthi militia
What’s really wrong with the U.S.-Saudi relationship Marc Lynch - April 20, 2016 [caption id="attachment_39400" align="aligncenter" width="908"] President Obama arrives in Riyadh, April
Why Saudi Arabia escalated the Middle East’s sectarian conflict Marc Lynch - January 4, 2016 The Jan. 2, 2016, execution of Saudi Shiite cleric and
Yemen’s transition to political stability was doomed to fail. Here’s why. Mareike Transfeld - October 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_31164" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Fighters loyal to Yemen's exiled president,
What a garbage crisis tells us about Lebanese politics Rola el-Husseini - August 4, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28203" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Garbage is piled around a car
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 leaked Saudi documents might really matter Marc Lynch - June 21, 2015 [caption id="attachment_26333" align="alignnone" width="620" class="align center"] Royal guards stand on
Why isn’t there an anti-Iran alliance? Gregory Gause - June 3, 2015 The Iranian flag flies in front of a UN building
Why isn't there an anti-Iran alliance? - June 3, 2015 The Iranian flag flies in front of a UN building
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
Has Saudi Arabia already won its Yemen war? Silvana Toska - May 15, 2015 Despite the current humanitarian ceasefire, Saudi Arabia’s military operation in
Can there be good Middle Eastern state-owned enterprises? Abdulwahab Alkebsi - May 7, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24407" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] A June 23, 2008 file
Why an Iran deal won’t lead to nuclear proliferation Dina Esfandiary and Ariane Tabatabai - April 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24035" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] An Aug. 26, 2006 file
Why an Iran deal won't lead to nuclear proliferation - April 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24035" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] An Aug. 26, 2006 file
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
A bold new Arab vision…for 2009 Marc Lynch - March 31, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23239" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud
Yemen’s Houthis and Islamist republicanism under strain Stacey Philbrick Yadav - February 2, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22824" align="align center" width="620"]Supporters of Yemen's Houthi movement gather
Yemen's Houthis and Islamist republicanism under strain - February 2, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22824" align="align center" width="620"]Supporters of Yemen's Houthi movement gather
The Islamic State’s model Aaron Zelin - January 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20630" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A member of security (L) for
The resurgence of Arab militaries Robert Springborg - December 5, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18665" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A supporter of Egyptian President Abdel
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
Who’s afraid of an ‘Islamic state’? Lawrence Rubin - October 2, 2014 Trying to make sense of the patterns of alignments in
Who’s afraid of an 'Islamic state'? Lawrence Rubin - October 2, 2014 Trying to make sense of the patterns of alignments in
Would arming Syria’s rebels have stopped the Islamic State? Marc Lynch - August 11, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14274" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Flier for Syria fundraising event in
The GCC’s national employment challenge Steffen Hertog - July 31, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13927" align="aligncenter" width="707"] Foreign laborers work at a construction
The GCC's national employment challenge Steffen Hertog - July 31, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13927" align="aligncenter" width="707"] Foreign laborers work at a construction
Middle East summer reading lineup Marc Lynch - June 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_12453" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A man sells cotton candy as
Obama is about to wade into an insecure Gulf Marc Lynch - March 25, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606"] President Obama leaves the Marine One
Saudi Arabia’s Muslim Brotherhood predicament Stéphane Lacroix - March 20, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special="POOL PHOTO A SUNDAY, JAN. 5,