• Policy Analysis

    The Week that Cut Turkey’s Ambitions Down to Size

    Jul 7, 2016

    Although signs of policy adjustment have been in the works for several months, the events of June 2016 were an emphatic marker of a shift in Turkey’s foreign p…

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update

    Jul 6, 2016

    I. Bahrain(1) Bahrain Human Rights Abuses: On June 30, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut), and six Democratic colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of State …

  • Policy Analysis

    New Rules of Engagement for US-Hezbollah Arm Wrestling in Lebanon

    Jul 6, 2016

    Lebanon is the only country in the Middle East where US policy is actively seeking to deter Iran’s regional influence. Washington is directly targeting Hezboll…

  • Policy Analysis

    The State Department’s “Dissent Memo” and US Options in Syria

    Jul 6, 2016

    On June 16, 2016, a dissent memo regarding Syria was filed with the Director of Policy Planning at the US State Department criticizing the Obama Administration…

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update

    Jun 24, 2016

    The House abruptly adjourned on June 22 amid chaos when Democrats staged a sit-in on the House floor disrupting proceedings.  Led by civil rights icon Represen…

  • Research Paper

    The Gender Paradox of Arab Democracy

    Jun 22, 2016

    On 17 December 2010, 26-year-old Tunisian street vendor Tarek al-Tayeb Mohamed Bouazizi was slapped across the face in front of a crowd and insulted by a munic…

  • Policy Analysis

    Courting the Houthis did not Yield Peace Deal in Yemen

    Jun 22, 2016

    United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefed the Security Council on June 21, 2016 marking 60 days of relentless diplomatic efforts …

  • From our Affiliates

    The Crisis of Political Islam – a Five Part Series

    Jun 21, 2016

    PART ONE"Political Islam is the end result of the enforced separation of religion and governance, leaving Islamist groups in crisis from their very inception" …

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update

    Jun 17, 2016

    (June 10 - 17, 2016) I. Israeli-PalestinianOn June 1, Senator David Perdue (R-Georgia) sent a letter to Secretary of State Kerry, expressing his concerns …

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update – The Relationship between Israel and the Palestinians

    Jun 15, 2016

    On June 14 the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, S2943, by a vote of 85-13.  The vote occurred after a compromise manager’s amendment by Se…

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update – Combatting BDS Act

    Jun 15, 2016

    On June 14 the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act, S2943, by a vote of 85-13.  The vote occurred after a compromise manager’s amendment by Se…

  • Washington Policy Weekly

    Congressional Update – Combatting BDS Act of 2016

    Jun 6, 2016

    On Monday, June 6 the Senate began consideration of the FY 2017 Defense Authorization bill, S2943. Senators are expected to consider nearly 100 amendments to t…