This year, however, the hajj has become another casualty of COVID-19. Last month, Saudi Arabia banned the hajj for international visitors, drastically reducing the number of people able to perform the sacred ritual.
detailsRocket attacks by Iranian proxy groups in Iraq have been a common feature of the Iraqi security landscape over the past two decades, often causing material damage and on occasion killing and injuring Americans and Iraqis.
detailsWhy have Irans moderates and reformists lost public support, and what will this mean for Irans foreign policy?
detailsWill COVID-19 prolong conflict in Libya and Syria, or will such wars exacerbate the pandemics spread?
detailsThe COVID-19 pandemic could not have come at a worse time for the Middle East. Since the U.S.-led international coalition secured the territorial defeat of ISIS three years ago, the region is still struggling to achieve lasting peace.
detailsIt would a tragic shame if it ended. For Iraqis, the American presence is hugely beneficial as a counterweight to Iran and ISIS. Americans are also helpful with Iraqi internal politics—especially in regard to sectarian divisions in the security forces
detailsIraq has a new prime minister-designate, almost three weeks after the previous nominee — Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi — failed to secure parliamentary approval for his cabinet.
detailsThe decision to kill General Qasem Soleimani has received widespread attention. However, another important Iranian military leader, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, was also killed in the attack. Ranj Alaaldin explains why
detailsMENA POLICYMAKERS MUST LAUNCH A NEW GOVERNANCE REFORM AGENDA
detailsThe Red Sea has fast become the subject of new geopolitical intrigue, as unprecedented engagement between Gulf states and the Horn of Africa reframes politics, economics, and security astride one of the world’s most heavily trafficked waterways
detailsFundamentally, the ceasefire, assumes the U.S. still matters in Syria. It does not.
detailsA mid todays climate crisis, the global education community is faced with the reality that it has done too little too late.
detailsIranian officials now appear to be negotiating and rather than using back-channels, they are doing it in plain sight.
detailsIn his two decades on the throne, Jordans King Abdullah II has faced almost constant challenges to the stability and prosperity of the kingdom, just as his father Hussein did for the half-century of his rule.
detailsThe end of the Iran Deal will strengthen the hand of Tehrans hardliners
detailswhile Saudi Arabia and Israel view Iran as an existential threat that they must confront, Ankara sees Tehran as a regional rival and neighbor with which it should compete and, at times, cooperate
detailsThe United States should focus less on making their allies happy and more on making them actually behave like allies
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