Omphalos takes an interdisciplinary look at the contemporary Middle East, and is published jointly with two key partners: Academic Exchange, an educational non-profit that seeks to deepen understanding of Israel in the international academic community, and the Brookings Center for Middle East Policy and its blog, Markaz. Turmoil in today's Middle East today implicates a wide array of legal questions, bears huge costs for civilian populations, and poses diverse challenges to policymakers, activists, lawyers, and reformers. For the issues that Lawfare treats, the Middle East is a kind of omphalos.
The Gulf crisis continues but new reports shed light on how it started, Israel was consulted on the Syria ceasefire but doesn’t like the outcome, and the United States recertifies Iran’s compliance with the JCPOA.
We should prepare for an increase in violence from individuals who might have traveled abroad to fight on behalf of the Islamic State but who ultimately remain in their home countries.
Hamas has reached an agreement with Mohammed Dahlan, Fatah's former enforcer in Gaza. Will it fare better than previous power-sharing attampts in Gaza?
The Trump administration has backed Russia’s latest plan for Syria, Iraq turns to rebuilding and reconciliation, Erdogan faces new opposition a year after the coup attempt, and Saudi Arabia will continue to receive British weapons after High Court decision.
The Islamic State is on its last legs in Iraq, Tillerson tells the U.N. the United States won’t push for Assad’s ouster, Qatar could face more sanctions from the Gulf, and Mohammad bin Salman cements his authority.
Turkey’s response to the Qatar crisis demonstrates the limits of pragmatism and realpolitik.
King Salman has appointed his son as his successor. When will it be his turn to rule?
Subscribe to Omphalos: Middle East Conflict in Perspective via RSS.