Policy Analysis

Policy Analysis
LevantUS Foreign Policy
Has Trump Opted for a Longer US Presence in Syria?
May 16, 2018Gregory Aftandilian
Trump has walked back his declaration to bring US troops in Syria home “very soon” in light of pressure from advisors and allies, but he risks embroiling the U…
Policy Analysis
IraqConflicts and Conflict Resolution
A Mysterious Strike Renews Israel-US Coordination in Syria
Apr 10, 2018Joe Macaron
The Israeli strike on Iranian assets in Syria last Monday and the imminent US strike on Syria renew the US-Israeli coordination there for the first time since …
Policy Analysis
IranConflicts and Conflict Resolution
The Super-Hawks on Iran May Make the US the Biggest Loser
Apr 10, 2018Daniel Brumberg
The super-hawks President Trump appointed in his administration may very well get the United States into a conflagration with Iran despite international satisf…
Policy Analysis
QatarConflicts and Conflict Resolution
The Doubts Surrounding Trump’s Work on GCC Reconciliation
Apr 9, 2018Imad K. Harb
Conditions in the Gulf and in Washington do not augur well for Trump-led successful negotiations to resolve the GCC crisis, although all players are making the…
Policy Analysis
LevantUS Domestic Politics and Elections
Is This the End of AIPAC’s Reign?
Apr 3, 2018Tamara Kharroub
The month of March in Washington DC is known for cherry blossom and AIPAC's annual conference. From 4-6 March, the 2018 AIPAC policy conference took place in D…
Policy Analysis
LevantUS Foreign Policy
Pompeo Unlikely to Press for Human Rights in the Arab Region
Mar 29, 2018Gregory Aftandilian
In contrast to Tillerson, who raised human rights and democracy concerns in some Arab states, Pompeo is unlikely to do so given his ideology and desire to stay…
Policy Analysis
IranSecurity and Defense
Who is John Bolton? A Political Profile of the Next National Security Advisor
Mar 23, 2018Marcus Montgomery
With the appointment of John Bolton as national security advisor, the United States risks turning the National Security Council into an echo chamber of hyper-n…
Policy Analysis
LevantUS Domestic Politics and Elections
Firing Tillerson Leaves US Diplomacy in Limbo
Mar 15, 2018Joe Macaron
Tillerson’s firing comes at a critical time in US foreign policy. New dynamics are emerging in the Trump Administration and the successor Mike Pompeo should ba…
Policy Analysis
LevantUS Foreign Policy
Who is Mike Pompeo? A Political Profile of the Nominee for US Secretary of State
Mar 13, 2018Marcus Montgomery
When considering his policy positions, temperament, and personal relationship with President Trump, Pompeo is almost the polar opposite of outgoing Secretary o…
Policy Analysis
LevantSecurity and Defense
US Syria Policy: Juggling Contradictory Interests
Mar 13, 2018Gregory Aftandilian
US policy in Syria, as articulated by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, remains focused on the Islamic State, but it does little to bring about other stated go…
Policy Analysis
JordanJustice, Equality, and Human Rights
Trump’s UNRWA Decision Buys into Israel’s Argument
Mar 8, 2018Tamara Kharroub
US funding cuts to UNRWA open the door for further US policies that espouse Israeli far-right positions regarding the status of Palestinian refugees and the ri…
Policy Analysis
JordanJustice, Equality, and Human Rights
Repercussions of Trump’s Jerusalem Policy Change: An Interview with Khalil E. Jahshan
Mar 1, 2018Imad K. Harb Khalil E. Jahshan
President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and his administration’s decision to move the American embassy there have probably t…