• Washington Policy Weekly
    LevantJustice, Equality, and Human Rights

    Congressional Update – September 30, 2016

    Sep 30, 2016

    I. Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to the Justice against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA)On Friday, September 23 President Obama sent his veto message f…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    Saudi ArabiaUS Domestic Politics and Elections

    Congress Overrides Presidential Veto of JASTA Legislation

    Sep 29, 2016Roxanne Perugino

    Despite an intensive lobbying effort by Saudi Arabia’s many lobbyists against the Justice against State Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), the House and Senate…

  • Policy Analysis
    LevantConflicts and Conflict Resolution

    Doomed to Fail: Syria is not Ready for a Ceasefire

    Sep 23, 2016Joe Macaron

    For the second time in nearly six months, Washington and Moscow are striving to implement a nationwide ceasefire in Syria. The ultimate objective of establishi…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    IranSecurity and Defense

    Congressional Update – September 23, 2016

    Sep 23, 2016

    Despite several pressing issues, such as the need to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) by September 30, Congress is determined to press the Obama Administratio…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    IranSecurity and Defense

    Congressional Update

    Sep 22, 2016

    Despite several pressing issues, such as the need to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) by September 30, Congress is determined to press the Obama Administratio…

  • Policy Analysis
    LevantSecurity and Defense

    New US-Israeli Military Aid Package Reflects Shifts in Relationship

    Sep 15, 2016Yousef Munayyer

    On September 14, 2016 the United States and Israel signed a new 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on military aid, which replaces a previous MOU set to…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    Saudi ArabiaUS Domestic Politics and Elections

    House Passes JASTA Amid White House Opposition: Implications for the US-Saudi Relationship

    Sep 13, 2016

    The US House of Representatives passed by unanimous voice vote on September 9, S2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a bill to allow fa…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    IranSecurity and Defense

    The Legislative Agenda for the Month of September

    Sep 7, 2016

    Congress returned to session on September 6 after a seven-week summer recess.  Congress will be in session for the month of September with a targeted adjournme…

  • Washington Policy Weekly
    Saudi ArabiaSecurity and Defense

    Congressional Update

    Aug 31, 2016

    Arms Sale to Saudi ArabiaCongressional criticism of the pending arms sale to Saudi Arabia has grown louder, even though the sale is likely to go through.On Aug…

  • Policy Analysis
    LevantRegional Relations and Geopolitics

    The US fatal mistake in northern Syria

    Aug 31, 2016Joe Macaron

     The moment the Turkish incursion into Syrian Territory began on August 24, the stage was set for a looming direct military confrontation between Ankara a…

  • Video
  • Policy Analysis
    LevantDemocracy and Governance

    Biden in Ankara enticing Erdogan to weigh his options

    Aug 24, 2016Joe Macaron

    Vice President Joe Biden visited Ankara on August 24 to salvage the remnants of US interests in Turkey. The July 15 military coup attempt left President Recep …