August 14, 2018
Can a GCC Reconciliation Summit at Camp David Succeed?
After sporadic but unsuccessful attempts by Washington since the summer of 2017 to end the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) crisis, the Trump Administration is now contemplating inviting leaders of the council countries this autumn to...
Learn more »August 10, 2018
Putin Arbitrates Iran’s Presence in Syria
Photo of Vladimir Putin visiting Russian troops in Syria. Photo credit: Kremlin.ru As the smoke clears in blood-soaked Syria, there is no doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin has emerged as the undisputed arbiter of...
Learn more »August 07, 2018
A Dangerous Confusion in US Iran Policy
Photo of President Trump signing a presidential memorandum reimposing US sanctions on Iran It is difficult to make Iran’s theocratic leaders appear to be the less belligerent party of a nasty diplomatic confrontation, but President...
Learn more »August 06, 2018
The State of Education in the Arab World
Introduction Many in the Arab world consider education to be the most effective tool for advancing Arab society. Yet, when closely examining reports on the status of education in the Arab region, especially those prepared...
Learn more »July 31, 2018
Russia’s Endgame in Syria: Iran for Ukraine?
We may never know what was really discussed in the one-on-one meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki summit. Yet, it has become increasingly clear, and for many good reasons, that Syria was a key topic...
Learn more »July 30, 2018
Replacing Mahmoud Abbas: Issues and Likely Candidates
Speculation has been rampant in the Palestinian, Arab, and international press about succession to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas, who is getting older and in poor health. The passing of the mandate of leading...
Learn more »July 26, 2018
Middle East Concerns of American Strategic Planners
Photo of the damage caused to a Saudi Arabian tanker after it was attacked by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Photo credit: SPA Instability and proxy wars continue to be a source of concern...
Learn more »July 26, 2018
Separate and Unequal in Israel: The Foundations of Discriminatory Law
On July 19, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed what it called the “Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People.” This new law enshrines discrimination, with constitutional weight, into the Israeli state’s...
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