• Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Secretary of Energy-designate Rick Perry 

    Dec 22, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    In an ironic twist, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Texas Governor Rick Perry as his secretary of energy. The Energy Department is the same agency Perr…

  • Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Profile of Secretary of State-designate Rex W. Tillerson

    Dec 15, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    President-elect Donald Trump named Rex Tillerson, Exxon-Mobil CEO, as his choice for secretary of state on December 13. The appointment is controversial and ha…

  • Policy Analysis
    LevantConflicts and Conflict Resolution

    What is Next for Turkey after the Fall of Aleppo?

    Dec 15, 2016Mustafa Gurbuz

    After the fall of Aleppo, Turkey’s capacity to maneuver in the region will suffer tremendously. Indeed, the fall of Aleppo has increased tensions among Syrian …

  • Policy Analysis
    IranConflicts and Conflict Resolution

    The GCC at 35: Regional Concerns and Strategic Hedging

    Dec 15, 2016Imad K. Harb

    Last week, the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) concluded its 37th summit meeting in Manama, Bahrain, amid many hopeful pronouncements as well as atte…

  • Policy Analysis
    Palestine/IsraelUS Foreign Policy

    Trump’s “Ultimate Deal” on Palestine/Israel

    Dec 8, 2016Tamara Kharroub

    In the first interview after his election victory, Donald J. Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he wants to broker a deal between Israel and the Palestini…

  • Policy Analysis
    LevantConflicts and Conflict Resolution

    The “Incredible” John Kerry: Ineffectiveness and Inconsistency

    Dec 8, 2016Yousef Munayyer

    It was painful to watch. Secretary of State John Kerry trying to explain and defend American foreign policy in the Middle East is such an uncomfortable sight. …

  • Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Trump Nominates Treasury and Commerce Secretaries

    Dec 5, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury-designatePresident-elect Donald Trump has nominated his campaign finance chairman, Steven Mnuchin, to be secretary of…

  • Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Trump Announces Retired USMC General James “Mad Dog” Mattis as Secretary of Defense

    Dec 5, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    On December 1, during a victory rally in Ohio, President-elect Donald Trump announced the nomination of retired Marine Corps General James “Mad Dog” Mattis to …

  • Policy Analysis
    Violent Extremism

    Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) in the United States: An Assessment of Domestic and International Efforts

    Dec 1, 2016Sara Lobo Tamara Kharroub

    Countering Violent Extremism, or CVE, is a relatively new but expanding framework of practices for US “soft power” engagement with radicalization and extremism…

  • Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Trump Announces Additions to National Security Team

    Dec 1, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    Nikki R. Haley, Ambassador-designate to the United NationsOn November 22, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump nominated South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley as h…

  • Policy Analysis
    LebanonDemocracy and Governance

    The Misplaced Hope of Lebanon’s Presidential Election

    Dec 1, 2016Imad K. Harb

    Developments in Lebanon during November 2016 made it increasingly evident that the election as president of Michel Aoun, former general and leader of the Refor…

  • Policy Analysis
    US Domestic Politics and Elections

    Trump’s Cabinet Begins to Take Shape

    Nov 23, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    On November 18, President-elect Donald Trump named three Cabinet positions, all of which are considered controversial to varying degrees