The latest crackdown appears to have targeted senior defense and interior officials, spurring speculation that they are linked to previously detained princes rumored to be plotting a coup.
detailsCongress and the Trump administration should privately agree to some ground rules for timing deterrent strikes on truly high-value targets, while quietly deploying more force-protection assets like Patriot missiles.
detailsA train wreck is about to occur in the oil market, and there will be casualties. Russia and Saudi Arabia, which previously had cooperated in making the world market well-supplied, no longer can agree on how to share the benefits.
detailsReports of royal arrests, a possible coup plot, and a brewing oil price war suggest that the kingdom is facing another period of considerable political tension.
detailsWhether by force or politics, Iran desperately needs to reconsolidate power among Shia constituencies throughout the region, but this challenge may prove insurmountable given current public sentiment in Iraq and Lebanon.
detailsIf outbreaks like the coronavirus shift from ‘black swan’ events to regular occurrences, globalization trends in the region may reverse, with sobering consequences.
detailsRouhani has taken a remarkably austere fiscal approach ahead of the looming parliamentary election, but the countrys economic situation is still not sustainable over the long run.
detailsIraqi Shia have lost faith in their government because it has failed to meet their basic needs in any of these three categories. After the fall of Saddam Hussein and the rise of new governance models
detailsRussia has steadily inserted itself into Iraqs military, energy, and educational sectors, and these relationships could turn Baghdad further away from the United States now that the Trump administration has ceded Syria to Moscow.
detailsMuddled governance, harsh crackdowns, and outside interference threaten to overturn the fragile freedom that Iraqis have won at great cost.
detailsThe best way to counter Irans asymmetric strategy in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere is a U.S. gray zone strategy
detailsWhile Tehrans internal debate about engagement with Washington intensifies, its words and actions already seem to be shaping even unintentionally the terms of any future talks.
detailsNew demonstrations, executions, and diplomatic quarrels threaten to undermine the island’s efforts to improve its pro-Western profile amid the Iran crisis.
detailsThe United States is now designating politicians who place personal or Iranian interests above the needs of the Iraqi people, but these efforts could go awry if locals don’t understand the justification or consequences.
detailsIf Tehran agrees to extend the JCPOAs sunset provisions and curtail its activity in Syria and Lebanon, Washington may be willing to lift the nuclear sanctions and create a special-purpose vehicle.
detailsAlthough massive state resources have been mobilized against Imamoglu, the opposition candidate has taken up the mantle of the underdog who could challenge the status quo nationally, just as Erdogan himself did two decades ago.
detailsHow Turkeys president went from being a regional Islamist leader in the Arab Spring to sharing Qatars role as the Middle Easts odd man out.
detailsTo understand the thirst for this type of media it is important to reflect on past developments in Arabic language news
detailsIf Riyadh did in fact order Khashoggi’s detention, it may be miscalculating the likely negative impact on U.S. diplomacy and Western investment.
detailsNow that the operation has begun, bipartisan congressional threats to sever U.S. military assistance because of humanitarian concerns will be tested.
detailsAs the Iraqi Kurds reach out to Russia, the Kremlins sway over their politics and energy resources is growing.
detailsArresting feminists does not inspire faith in the crown princes much hyped reform agenda.
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