January 22, 2019
Book Review: Inside the Arab State by Mehran Kamrava
Examining what spurred the Arab Spring, what it wrought, and how the Arab political order fights change, Kamrava’s book is a good example of required, informative, and incisive scholarship.
Learn more »January 17, 2019
The Manbij Attack Exposes the Vulnerabilities of US Policy in Syria
The US withdrawal from Syria may encourage Turkey and Russia to fill the vacuum, but IS’s Manbij attack may persuade Trump to stay a bit longer there.
Learn more »January 10, 2019
Pompeo in Cairo: Not a Force for Good
With Trump as president and Pompeo as secretary of state, the United States has a very long way to become “a force for good” in the Middle East.
Learn more »January 08, 2019
Trump’s Visit Violated Iraq’s Sovereignty
While many in Iraq considered Trump’s visit a violation of sovereignty, there is no plan for changing the ongoing security relationship with the United States at this time.
Learn more »January 02, 2019
The Saudi Shake-Up to Consolidate One-Man Rule
King Salman’s cabinet reshuffle was to divert attention away from MbS’s responsibility for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi; but it will likely not succeed.
Learn more »December 20, 2018
Trump’s Syria Announcement Underscores US Policy Meltdown
The withdrawal of US troops will make it easier for Moscow and Tehran to advance a political solution ensuring that Assad and his allies remain in power.
Learn more »December 06, 2018
Qatar Withdraws from OPEC: Business, Politics, or Both?
It strains credulity to believe that Qatar’s decision to withdraw from OPEC was taken in total isolation from the regional conflict and tensions with neighbors.
Learn more »November 28, 2018
Pompeo and Mattis Strongly Support Saudi Arabia in the US Senate
The Trump Administration likely dealt itself a blow when it sent Secretaries Pompeo and Mattis to the Senate but prevented Haspel from testifying as well.
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