Middle East
The Year that Was in the Middle East…
J. Dana Stuster Wed, Dec 21, 2016, 2:00 PM
Five things history will remember about 2016.
Latest in Middle East and North Africa
Omphalos
Did the Arab World Miss Its Chance to Democratize?
J. Dana Stuster Mon, Dec 5, 2016, 3:00 PM
Two new reports stress the need for more inclusive political systems, but democracy may be losing its appeal.
Omphalos
Breaking Down Trump’s Middle East Policy
J. Dana Stuster Fri, Nov 11, 2016, 11:20 AM
What does Trump’s plan for the Middle East really look like? Chaos.
Omphalos
The Egyptian NGO Law Locking up Americans and Closing Down a Once-Vibrant Civil Society
Amira Mikhail Wed, Nov 2, 2016, 1:38 PM
Though Egypt was once known for its vibrant civil society, the government has been clamping down on nonprofits through an oppressive new NGO law.
Omphalos
A Convenient Terrorism Threat
Daniel Byman Mon, Sep 19, 2016, 12:11 PM
Many governments, including several important U.S. allies, simultaneously fight and encourage the terrorist groups on their soil. This two-faced approach holds considerable appeal for some governments, but it hugely complicates U.S. counterterrorism efforts—and the U.S. shouldn’t just live with it.
Turks, Arabs, and Leadership
Ammar Abdulhamid Mon, Jul 18, 2016, 3:42 PM
While the Turkish people at this stage seem to be motivated by a strong sense of identity and a belief in themselves and their homeland (with a commitment to democratic values now being an important element of this homeland) Arabs, even as they exhibit a strong sense of identity themselves, lack confidence in their countries and the institutions of the state.
9/11 Commission
House Intel Committee Releases Missing 28 Pages from 9/11 Inquiry
Cody M. Poplin Fri, Jul 15, 2016, 2:24 PM
The House Intelligence Committee today released the long-classified 28 pages of a 2002 Congressional report that discussed the alleged role of Saudi Arabia in the attacks.
Omphalos
Is the Iranian-Saudi "Cold War" Heating Up? How to Reduce the Temperature
Sultan Barakat Thu, Jun 23, 2016, 4:25 PM
War between Iran and Saudi Arabia is not inevitable, but both sides must take steps now to turn down the heat. At the end of the day, it is in neither state’s interest to let their already poor relations spiral further downward.
Syria
To Really Improve the Lives of Syrian Refugees, Turkey and the World Must Cooperate Better
Kemal Kirişci Thu, Jun 9, 2016, 1:41 PM
Editor's Note: This piece originally appeared on Markaz.
Iran
Is the Iran Deal Unraveling? Think Again
Suzanne Maloney Tue, May 24, 2016, 2:07 PM
Are the wheels coming off the Iran deal? Less than a year after Iran, America, and five other world powers inked a comprehensive nuclear accord, a debate over its terms has erupted anew. In Washington, the braggadocio of a prominent White House aide is fueling Republican accusations that President Obama deliberately deceived the Congress and the country about Iran and the deal. And in Tehran, frustration over the residual impact of American sanctions has prompted increasingly resentful accusations from Iranian leaders that the United States has failed to live up to its end of the bargain. As a result, some are fretting that the deal is “at risk” and are laying blame on the White House doorstep.