What O.J. Simpson taught us about political news Danny Hayes - April 15, 2024 People like entertainment more than substance.
Good to Know: The spiral vs. deterrence model in international relations Stacie Goddard - January 29, 2024 Will Iran’s strike and Israel’s retaliation lead to war?
Was the COP28 climate meeting a cop-out – or something bigger? Jeremy Wallace - December 14, 2023 A big energy transition is coming, but not necessarily quickly.
The UN set out to protect human rights 75 years ago Kelebogile Zvobgo - December 10, 2023 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was an important start – but there’s much work still ahead.
Will the Hamas attack on Israel lead to a broader regional war? Elizabeth N. Saunders and Austin Carson - October 12, 2023 Even bitter adversaries have tools to control escalation.
Gaza and Israel: Five things to watch Marc Lynch - October 9, 2023 Here’s what you need to know following Saturday’s attack by Hamas.
Does Putin have a vote in U.S. elections? Elizabeth N. Saunders, Marina E. Henke, Nadiya Kostyuk, Rachel Myrick, and Kenneth Schultz - September 28, 2023 International relations scholars have a ‘good chat’ about U.S. elections and foreign policy.
What if India really was involved in killing a Sikh activist in Canada? Christopher Clary - September 22, 2023 The international consequences could prove modest.
Why does Biden want Saudi-Israeli normalization so badly? Marc Lynch - September 20, 2023 The Abraham Accords may define a new regional order.
It’s been a great nine years for TMC political science analysis Kim Yi Dionne, John Sides, and Henry Farrell - December 31, 2022 We’ve published thousands of articles. Here are some of our editors’ favorites.
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
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.
If OPEC is a cartel, it’s not a very good one Henry Farrell - October 10, 2022 This book tells you what you need to know about Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and global oil politics
Pakistan is seeking flood assistance — but not from foreign NGOs Rafeel Wasif and Aseem Prakash - September 12, 2022 For more than a decade, Pakistan has banned some international aid groups
Russia wants to put Syria back in control of humanitarian aid Jesse Marks / Managing Editor - August 30, 2022 Abandoning the U.N.-established cross-border aid routes could put millions of Syrians at risk
The Targaryens struggle with a ‘crown prince problem,’ like all authoritarians Jørgen Møller, Anne Meng, Anders Sundell, and Andrej Kokkonen - August 28, 2022 In House of the Dragon — as in the Game of Thrones — leadership succession is a bloody problem
If Trump wins again, he wants to be able to fire civil servants Ryan Saylor - August 25, 2022 That’s still a bad idea. Research suggests that merit-based systems are better for the economy and for democracy.
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
Will Israel further normalize relations with its Arab neighbors? Dana El Kurd - July 10, 2022 My research finds that closer ties with Israel means Arab regimes have new tools to repress their own citizens.
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
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.
Biden called Putin a ‘war criminal.’ That’s risky. Daniel Krcmaric and Alexander Downes - March 24, 2022 Here’s the downside to prosecuting former leaders
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
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?
Yemen’s Houthi movement stepped up its attacks. That complicates U.S. policy in the region. Tyler B. Parker - January 31, 2022 The U.S. wants to end help the war in Yemen — and secure a nuclear deal with Iran
Sudan’s civilian leader resigned. Now the military has sole control of the government. Gerrit Kurtz - January 10, 2022 The October coup is faltering — here’s why
Congress failed to block the sale of missiles to Saudi Arabia. Why? Alexandra Stark - December 23, 2021 Just voting on the measure helps draw Americans’ attention to the Saudi role in Yemen’s war
Biden promises to fight transnational corruption. But will the U.S. target friends as well as foes? Victor Peskin and Mieczysław Boduszyński - December 20, 2021 Washington tends to avoid confronting allies, this research shows
Sudan’s military has seized control. Will pro-democracy protests continue? Jeffrey Sachs - October 26, 2021 The military disbanded the joint council that has been overseeing the transition to democracy.
The World Bank had to scrap its popular business report. That says a lot about the politics of numbers. Lukas Linsi - October 15, 2021 Economic statistics are far more ambiguous — and malleable — than most people realize.
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
Tunisia has its first-ever female prime minister. That’s not as good for democracy as it sounds. Sivan Hirsch-Hoefler, Lihi Ben Shitrit, and Julia Elad-Strenger - October 12, 2021 Around the world, would-be authoritarians have been ‘pinkwashing’ policies that undermine democracy. Our research finds that it works.
There’s a deeper story behind the World Bank’s ratings scandal Judith Kelley - September 19, 2021 The more prominent a global scorecard is, the more governments want to game it
Last month, three drones attacked an Israeli tanker. Here’s why that’s something new. James Rogers - August 18, 2021 Will Iran’s ‘shadow war’ slip into the open?
How can the world hold Belarus accountable? Alexander Cooley - May 25, 2021 Technology has become the ‘long arm’ of authoritarians
International relations scholar Nuno Monteiro asked and answered the big questions about real-world politics Sebastian Rosato, David Edelstein, and Alexandre Debs - May 20, 2021 Monteiro, who passed away this month, influenced debates about U.S. dominance in the world
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 best way to help Yemenis survive might not be what aid organizations think R. Joseph Huddleston, Harshana Ghoorhoo, and David Wood - April 5, 2021 Struggling households throughout Yemen access food and services in surprising ways, our research finds.
Jordan detained a prince. The government’s determined to squash political dissent. Jillian Schwedler - April 5, 2021 Criticizing the king is considered an act of terrorism
Will the pandemic spark a religious revival in the Muslim world? Tarek Masoud, Peter Mandaville, and A.Kadir Yildirim - April 1, 2021 A new survey measures economic stress and religiosity levels in five countries
China and Iran announced a new economic and security partnership. That’s not as alarming as it sounds. Lucille Greer and Esfandyar Batmanghelidj - March 31, 2021 China has similar deals with a number of Middle Eastern countries
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
Biden may be getting rid of the Authorizations for the Use of Military Force. That deserves a ‘Whoa.’ Andrew Rudalevige - March 6, 2021 The possibility of addressing the legal framework for the war on terror is big news.
Saudi-led attacks devastated Yemen’s civilian infrastructure, dramatically worsening the humanitarian crisis Jeannie Sowers and Erika Weinthal - February 21, 2021 New data takes stock of the targeting of agriculture, fisheries, health care, energy and other facilities
Here’s how experts on the Middle East see the region’s key issues, our new survey finds Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch - February 16, 2021 We asked about their views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, Iran’s nuclear program and more
Biden announced a major policy shift on Yemen. What happens now? Alexandra Stark - February 7, 2021 U.S. diplomacy, not U.S. military support, will shorten the war in Yemen
Iran and Turkey have become drone powers James Rogers - January 27, 2021 Drones have become the weapon of choice around the world.
What Biden faces if he wants to get the climate change effort back on track Joshua Busby and Johannes Urpelainen - January 21, 2021 2021 could be the year of action — if climate leaders can problem-solve strategically
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 the Taliban agreed to let more girls in Afghanistan go to school Jori Breslawski - January 5, 2021 Afghan girls outside a temporary shelter in Kabul last month.
Biden said he’ll work to advance transgender rights. Here are 4 things to know. Kassandra Miller and Audrey Comstock - December 10, 2020 What is the state of transgender rights and protections in the U.S. and internationally?
Why Ethiopia’s conflict could spill beyond its borders David Kampf - November 30, 2020 Civil wars rarely remain purely domestic affairs
Reviving the Iran nuclear deal will be harder than it looks Henry Rome - November 22, 2020 Politics in the region — and in the United States — have changed since 2015
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
The Trump campaign claims it wants a foreign policy debate. That’s not what we’re likely to get. Elizabeth N. Saunders - October 21, 2020 But foreign policy will definitely be on the ballot on Nov. 3
Are influence campaigns trolling your social media feeds? Meysam Alizadeh, Joshua Tucker, Jacob N. Shapiro, and Cody Buntain - October 12, 2020 New research shows how citizens can know in real time.
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
Only Congress has the authority to declare war. Can it take that power back from the presidency? Saikrishna Prakash - September 30, 2020 Here are some possible courses of action — if the legislature wants to do more than signal its displeasure.
Why Gulf nations are normalizing ties with Israel Jonathan Hoffman - September 24, 2020 Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to recognize Israel
Can Congress reclaim authority it has handed over to the president? It’s trying. Soren Dayton and Mort Halperin - August 19, 2020 With their bipartisan backing, these bills could claw back some powers that have shifted to the presidency.
‘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
A Saudi fund opted not to buy Newcastle United. How do sovereign wealth funds affect politics back home? Cullen Hendrix - August 10, 2020 Diversifying beyond oil can help authoritarian regimes stay in power
Europe’s new privacy ruling will help fragment the global economy Daniel S. Hamilton - July 22, 2020 Companies may soon scramble to shift certain kinds of data from the U.S. to the E.U.
Two women from Africa are among the leading candidates to head the WTO J.P. Singh - July 20, 2020 Candidates have to navigate a highly political process to become director-general of the World Trade Organization
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
Who can convince Americans to follow the science on coronavirus? Religious leaders. Sam Winter-Levy and Bryan Schonfeld - May 7, 2020 They can get people to look beyond partisanship.
Can the U.S. sue China for covid-19 damages? Not really. Jessica Weiss - April 29, 2020 Here’s how this could quickly backfire.
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.
Iraq is trying yet again to form a government. Why is it so hard? Renad Mansour - April 15, 2020 Mustafa al-Kadhimi has emerged as the compromise prime minister designate
This year’s low oil prices will hurt these countries the most Jeff D. Colgan and Emily Meierding - April 6, 2020 We looked at these 3 factors.
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
So much for Putin’s promise he’d abide by term limits. Here’s what happened. Samuel A. Greene and Graeme B. Robertson - March 15, 2020 Will this latest twist keep him in power through 2036?
This is the biggest oil price crash in decades. That may not be great for the U.S. economy. Jeff Colgan - March 9, 2020 It will hurt American oil companies, help Middle East peace and damage U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia
The U.S. hasn’t signed the world’s foremost women’s rights treaty. Activists have gotten local versions passed instead. Heidi Haddad - March 7, 2020 These aren’t just symbolic laws. They affect women’s lives.
In South Carolina, Democrats debated when a dictator is really a dictator. So what’s the answer? Valerie Bunce, Karrie J. Koesel, and Jessica Chen Weiss - February 27, 2020 Our new book explains.
The Republican Senate just rebuked Trump using the War Powers Act — for the third time. That’s remarkable. Sarah Binder - February 14, 2020 Congress hasn’t used it against any other president.
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
How the U.S.-Iran conflict could help China and Russia David Edelstein - January 13, 2020 Will preoccupation with Iran shift U.S. attention away from other urgent concerns?
Index funds might sound boring. But who decides which countries and companies to include? Johannes Petry, Jan Fichtner, and Eelke Heemskerk - January 8, 2020 Index providers wield a lot of power in global finance — and that raises big political questions.
Iran can use cyberattacks against the U.S. That’s not nearly as bad as it sounds. Jackie Schneider - January 6, 2020 Cyberwarfare can do little short-term damage, although it can have insidious long-term consequences
2020 is the year to worry about nuclear weapons Malfrid Braut-Hegghammer - January 5, 2020 The confrontation between the United States and Iran is just the beginning
Does Trump need Congress’s approval to go to war with Iran? Andrew Rudalevige - January 4, 2020 That depends on whether Congress wants to try to stop him.
Attacking Iran will not help Trump win reelection. Here’s why. Michael Tesler - January 4, 2020 Military crises don’t always trigger a rally around the flag
How terrorism helps — and hurts — Iran Daniel Byman - January 3, 2020 Why Iran supports terrorist groups — and what the consequences can be.
This recent poll shows how Americans think about the war in Afghanistan Shibley Telhami and Connor Kopchick - January 3, 2020 The Afghanistan Papers showed how the U.S. government misled the public. Will that change minds?
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.
Why has Italy avoided jihadist terrorist attacks? Our research helps explain. Stefano Bonino and Andrea Beccaro - December 24, 2019 Italy’s centralized intelligence and controversial deportation policy have made a difference.
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.
International troops are leaving Yemen. Here’s what will help bring peace. Alexandra Stark - December 12, 2019 Here’s how mediation from other countries can end civil wars.
Could the gulf crisis with Qatar be winding down? Coates Ulrichsen - December 11, 2019 Here’s why progress — and diplomacy — might be possible.
Trump’s mismanagement of the withdrawal from Syria hurt alliances — not the withdrawal itself Ronald Krebs and Jennifer Spindel - October 29, 2019 Our research suggests that withdrawals can hearten allies if handled properly.
Lebanon’s economic crisis didn’t happen overnight. So how did it get to this point? Hannes Baumann - October 22, 2019 Here’s why the government’s latest response doesn’t meet protesters’ demands.
Now that Trump has abandoned the Kurds, will other countries ever trust the U.S.? Marina E. Henke - October 16, 2019 Alliances are based on trust, not just U.S. assistance
Are cyber-operations a U.S. retaliatory option for the Saudi oil field strikes? Would such action deter Iran? Jacquelyn Schneider - October 1, 2019 This strategic response can have complicated trade-offs
President Trump tapped Gen. Mark Milley as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Here are 3 things to know. Jim Golby - September 30, 2019 Statements by the JCS chairman can have a significant impact on public opinion.
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.