Iraqis voted a year ago but still don’t have a government Hamzeh Hadad - October 10, 2022 Iraq’s democracy depends on consensus — yet parties in the minority in parliament don’t want to take the opposition role
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
The U.S. killed al-Qaeda’s leader. That might boost terrorism. Jenna Jordan - August 9, 2022 ‘Leadership decapitation’ can inspire Islamist extremist groups and followers to carry out more attacks, my research finds
Iraq’s populist leader quit parliament. What happens now? Renad Mansour and Benedict Robin-D’Cruz - June 21, 2022 Rallying anti-establishment protests strengthened Muqtada al-Sadr’s hand in the past. It might not work now.
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
Groups like the Taliban have seized power elsewhere. Will the Taliban face similar difficulties governing? Raphael Lefevre - August 24, 2021 The research shows how hard it is to go from armed rebellion to leadership
Kuwait voted this weekend. Who won? Daniel L. Tavana and Abdullah al-Khonaini - December 8, 2020 Incumbents fared poorly, but the balance of power between the government and parliament is unlikely to change
Why Gulf nations are normalizing ties with Israel Jonathan Hoffman - September 24, 2020 Bahrain is the latest Arab nation to recognize Israel
Important Iraqi archives are now back in Baghdad. Where were they, and what happens now? Marsin Alshamary - September 15, 2020 These documents detail crimes during Saddam Hussein’s regime
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
What will happen to Iraqi Shiite militias after one key leader’s death? Ranj Alaaldin - February 28, 2020 This won’t help U.S.-Iran tensions
Iraqis have been holding peaceful mass protests. The U.S. strike and its aftermath are undermining that. Zahra Ali - January 7, 2020 Here’s what Iraqi protesters want.
Trump thought escalating the Iran crisis would solve it. That’s not how escalation works Danielle Lupton - January 7, 2020 Here are four reasons deterrence by escalation is difficult to achieve.
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.
How terrorism helps — and hurts — Iran Daniel Byman - January 3, 2020 Why Iran supports terrorist groups — and what the consequences can be.
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
Iraqi protesters are mostly Shiite. And this identity is shaping how they protest. Marsin Alshamary - December 13, 2019 They are using religious symbolism to oppose the government.
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.
Iraq’s protests haven’t yet changed the system — but they’re transforming Iraqis’ belief in themselves Munqith Dagher - December 9, 2019 New survey data shows that demonstrators feel more important, and prouder to be Iraqi, than before
Why did Iran’s government shut down protests so quickly and violently? Dina Esfandiary - December 4, 2019 Doing so stopped the protests — but probably won’t next time.
What radicalized ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi? Samuel Helfont - November 11, 2019 Iraq’s post-2003 chaos is actually to blame, not Saddam Hussein.
Worried about an Islamic State comeback? Here’s why that’s unlikely. Daniel Byman - October 28, 2019 Yes, Trump pulled U.S. troops out of northern Syria, but many other factors will probably keep ISIS down.
Iraqis plan to continue protests Friday. Here’s what might happen. Haley Bobseine - October 24, 2019 After state crackdowns on anti-government protests this month, many fear more violence.
Lebanese are protesting in all regions of the country, not just Beirut. Here’s why that matters. Kelly Stedem and Christiana Parreira - October 23, 2019 That’s never happened before.
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.
Here’s what the protests in Lebanon and Iraq are really about Bassel Salloukh - October 19, 2019 People are uniting in their demands for change.
In Iraq, demonstrators demand change — and the government fights back Zahra Ali and Safaa Khalaf - October 7, 2019 Initially described as protests over the economy, they have become a call for revolution.
Here’s how airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed paramilitary groups in Iraq threaten post-ISIS stability Renad Mansour - September 8, 2019 What a rift in the understanding between formal and de facto armed groups could mean for Iraq
No, a downed drone does not give Trump the authority to start a war. He still needs congressional authorization. Andrew Rudalevige - June 22, 2019 Two articles of the Constitution and two statutes offer guidance.
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
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’s network of fighters in the Middle East aren’t always loyal to Iran Ariane Tabatabai and Becca Wasser - May 20, 2019 They are more than willing to ignore what Iran tells them to do.
Designating Iranian military unit a ‘terrorist organization’ will make U.S. relations with Iran more difficult. Here’s how. Afshon Ostovar - April 8, 2019 It’s a first for the United States to designate a foreign government entity as a terrorist organization.
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.
How ordinary Iraqis resisted the Islamic State Jonathan Hall, Isak Svensson, Eric Skoog, and Dino Krause - March 21, 2019 New data from Mosul shows the power of the less powerful
Why are Iraq’s paramilitaries turning on their own ranks? Renad Mansour - February 18, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83855" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Shiite fighters from the Popular Mobilization
Why is Nigeria cracking down on peaceful religious protests? Jason Klocek - February 4, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83417" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Members of the Islamic Movement in
The role of Iraq’s influential Shiite clerics is changing. Here’s how. Marsin Alshamary - February 4, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83379" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Qais al-Khazali, the leader of the
Lebanon finally has a new government. Here are three reasons for cautious optimism. Jeffrey Karam - January 31, 2019 [caption id="attachment_83351" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri, smiles
As the U.S. withdraws from Syria and Afghanistan, here are lessons from the Iraq War Debora Han and Andrew Shaver - January 7, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82173" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump speaks to members of
How transitional justice can affect Yemen’s future Maryam Jamshidi - December 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81808" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Houthi Shiite fighters guard a street
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
Iran’s influence in Iraq is declining. Here’s why. Munqith al-Dagher - November 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80301" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Demonstrators waved Iranian and pro-Iranian party
Why the south of Yemen is key to its stalled peace talks Susanne Dahlgren - October 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_79215" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A militiaman patrols in Mocha, a
After several high-profile murders in Iraq, here’s what headlines missed about their cause. Zahra Ali - October 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78816" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this image from Oct. 1,
Can a new president and prime minister solve Iraq’s broken politics? Renad Mansour - October 10, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78733" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraq's new president, Barham Salih, front
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,
How violent protests in Iraq could escalate Benedict Robin-D’Cruz - September 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_77539" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A protester in front of the
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
Protests are mounting in Iraq. Why? Benedict Robin-D’Cruz - July 21, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76040" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Iraqis react to tear gas fired
An emerging populism is sweeping the Middle East Renad Mansour and Lina Khatib - July 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75521" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr
Does ‘zero tolerance’ protect the U.S. from terrorism or crime? Let’s examine the evidence. Tricia Bacon - June 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_75064" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Children stand and hold protest signs
Why Iran’s involvement in Syria may backfire Thomas Juneau - June 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74447" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A convoy of Syrian government forces
Why many failed to predict the leftist-Islamist alliance that won Iraq’s 2018 elections Benedict Robin - June 7, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74248" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this May 14 photo, supporters
Was Iraq’s recent election a democratic success? Depends whom you ask. den Toorn - May 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73677" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A volunteer points out the place
The Trump administration wants regime change in Iran. But regime change usually doesn’t work. Lindsey O'Rourke and Alexander Downes - May 23, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People march in Tehran on Feb.
Why Iraq’s surprising election doesn’t signal major changes Al Ali - May 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73384" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Iraqi woman prepares to cast
What Iraq’s election means for its Shiite militias Ranj Alaaldin - May 12, 2018 https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/world/baghdad-residents-vote-in-parliamentary-election/2018/05/12/77c31d4c-55d0-11e8-a6d4-ca1d035642ce_video.html Today's parliamentary elections in Iraq are the country’s first since the Islamic
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
What to expect from Iraq’s election on Saturday Renad Mansour - May 7, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73005" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People cast their ballots at a voting
Did bin Laden’s death help the Islamic State? Tricia Bacon and Elizabeth Arsenault - May 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72869" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An undated photo shows al-Qaeda leader
Here’s what happens when diplomats get involved in religious rhetoric Stacey Philbrick Yadav and Ian Hartshorn - April 11, 2018 [caption id="attachment_72062" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Representative Mike Pompeo, a Republican from
Russia is trying to limit its casualties in Syria. Here’s why that is bad for Syrian civilians. Lionel Beehner - March 28, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71523" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a
What’s next for jihadists in Yemen? Elisabeth Kendall - February 23, 2018 [caption id="attachment_69626" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of Shiite Houthi rebels attend
What are the lessons of the Arab uprisings for Iran’s protests? Marc Lynch - January 2, 2018 [caption id="attachment_67724" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this photo, by an individual
What’s behind the Islamist protests in Pakistan? Niloufer Siddiqui - December 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67061" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supporters of different religious groups hold
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
Women’s rights are under threat in Iraq Zahra Ali - November 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_66419" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqis register their names before voting
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
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
The Kurdish referendum backfired badly. Here’s why. Renad Mansour - October 25, 2017 Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered his forces
Iran’s involvement in Syria is costly. Here’s why most Iranians still support it. Peyman Asadzade - October 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_65055" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Mourners escort the truck carrying the
How 9/11 created a feedback loop for international jihadism Martha Crenshaw and Lisa Blaydes - September 22, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63827" align="aligncenter" width="960"] U.S. soldiers and Iraqi civilians pull
5 things to know about the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan Ramzy Mardini and Morgan Kaplan - September 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63723" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqi Kurds rally to urge people to
A striking positive shift in Sunni opinion in Iraq is underway. Here’s what it means. Munqith al-Dagher and Karl Kaltenthaler - September 14, 2017 Iraqi security forces have made great progress toward defeating the
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
Here’s what we can learn about Brexit from Boko Haram and Nigerian politics Laura Seay - July 7, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60672" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Mohammed Ambali is a member 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
How Iran fights the Islamic State Dina Esfandiary - June 14, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59835" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Police control the scene around the
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
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
What’s really at stake in Iran’s presidential election Naghmeh Sohrabi and Hossein Mahdavi - May 18, 2017 [caption id="attachment_58521" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A veiled Iranian woman supporting conservative
Iran’s holding presidential elections. Here are the candidates to watch. Farzan Sabet - April 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57385" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the
Why the death of Iran’s leading moderate could strengthen its reformists Hossein Mahdavi - January 23, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52890" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, foreground
Fighting the Islamic State won’t change the sectarian image of Iraq’s militias Mieczyslaw Boduszynski - December 28, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51868" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqi rapid response forces gather during
Shiites are participating in the world’s largest pilgrimage today. Here’s how they view the world. Fotini Christia, Elizabeth Dekeyser, and Dean Knox - November 21, 2016 [caption id="attachment_49847" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iranians pray in Tehran during a
This is what can we learn about ISIS from Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army Eleanor Beevor - October 22, 2016 [caption id="attachment_48328" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Nov. 12, 2006 file
Beirut’s lessons for how not to rebuild a war-torn city Julia Tierney - October 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_47662" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Workers load garbage bags into trucks
It’s been 15 years since 9/11. How has al-Qaeda changed? Barak Mendelsohn - September 10, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46093" align="aligncenter" width="960"] In this Sept. 11, 2001 file
A new survey shows that Pakistanis penalize candidates for religious piety Niloufer Siddiqui and Michael Kalin - August 19, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45483" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Leaders of the Pakistani religious movement
Here’s why terrorist suicide attacks are increasing: They attract rewards from ISIS and al-Qaeda Sam Winter-Levy and Nikita Lalwani - August 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45332" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Iraqi rescue workers inspect damages after
How to break the Middle East’s sectarian spiral Bassel Salloukh - August 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_45005" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Lebanese antigovernment activists march from Bourj
What do ordinary citizens in the Arab world really think about the Islamic State? Mark Tessler, Michael Robbins, and Amaney Jamal - July 27, 2016 What do ordinary Arabs think about the Islamic State? This
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
Should the U.S. worry about tensions between Shiite and Sunni Muslims in central Asia? Sebastien Peyrouse - May 15, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40467" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] People gather for the monument unveiling
Why Iraqis living under the Islamic State fear their liberators Munqith al-Dagher and Karl Kaltenthaler - April 11, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38930" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A supporter flies the flag of
Here’s what led to the Lahore terrorist bombing — and what to do next Adnan Naseemullah - March 31, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38244" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Relatives of the victims of Sunday's
Why some (but not all) Middle East militaries stand by their leaders Holger Albrecht and Dorothy Ohl - March 29, 2016 [caption id="attachment_38143" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Egyptian security forces and others gather
Putin can’t last forever. Will a post-Putin Russia look like Syria today? Maria Snegovaya - March 16, 2016 Russian politicians often suggest that a post-Putin future would look
Are Russia’s 20 million Muslims seething about Putin bombing Syria? Egor Lazarev and Anna Biryukova - March 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36827" align="aligncenter" width="908"] The full moon of July, 29,