Omphalos
Back to the ‘Ticking Bomb’ Doctrine
Yuval Shany Wed, Dec 27, 2017, 9:00 AM
Comments on the ruling in Abu Ghosh v. Attorney-General of the State of Israel.
Latest in Middle East and North Africa
Middle East and North Africa
The White House's Ambiguous Jerusalem Policy
Scott R. Anderson Wed, Dec 20, 2017, 10:00 AM
Last week, I wrote for Lawfare's feed at Foreign Policy about the ambiguity in the president's Dec. 6 announcement that the United States will recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The piece begins:
The Russia Connection
Why Flynn’s Nuclear Advocacy Was So Dangerous
Mieke Eoyang, Laura S. H. Holgate Wed, Dec 13, 2017, 8:00 AM
Flynn’s actions on behalf of companies persuading Middle Eastern countries and the Chinese need a thorough investigation to ensure that his advocacy did not, and is not, undermining U.S. national security.
Middle East
Is America a Bad Wingman in the Middle East?
Daniel Byman Thu, Nov 9, 2017, 7:00 AM
The United States is falling short on its obligations to friends in the region.
Middle East and North Africa
Tunisia Passes Controversial Law, Undermining Democratic Transition
Kate Bateman Mon, Oct 2, 2017, 3:06 PM
Tunisia's new corruption-amnesty law will undermine the country's progress toward democratic governance.
ISIS
The Islamic State’s Long-Term Threat to the Middle East
Daniel Byman Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 10:00 AM
Even if the number of attacks on the U.S. homeland remains low, the Islamic State and its subsequent chaos will threaten U.S. interests in the Middle East for years to come.
Middle East and North Africa
The $110 Billion Arms Deal to Saudi Arabia is Fake News
Bruce Riedel Mon, Jun 5, 2017, 2:05 PM
Last month, President Trump visited Saudi Arabia and his administration announced that he had concluded a $110 billion arms deal with the kingdom. Only problem is that there is no deal. It’s fake news.
Donald Trump
Intelligence Liaison and Counterterrorism: A Quick Primer
Daniel Byman Tue, May 16, 2017, 4:00 PM
In light of press reports that President Trump may have revealed sensitive counterterrorism information originating from the Israeli government to Russian officials, it’s useful to take a step back and run through what foreign liaison relationships do and why they are important to U.S. counterterrorism.
Refugees
Donald Trump’s Executive Order Suspending Immigrant and Refugee Entry to the US
Amira Mikhail Sat, Jan 28, 2017, 3:33 PM
A summary of Donald Trump's executive order instituting a suspension of entry to the U.S. and issuances of visas for people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen (earlier designated as “areas of concern” under the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act).
Middle East Ticker
New Syrian Peace Talks Conclude, Iraqi Forces Reach Tigris River, Israel Lifts Settlement Restrictions
J. Dana Stuster Tue, Jan 24, 2017, 1:30 PM
Russia is trying to lock down its gains in Syria, Iraqi forces are consolidating control of eastern Mosul, and Netanyahu faces legal trouble just as his political stars align.