Politics

The U.S. Isn’t Really Leaving Syria and Afghanistan

2019-01-08

Even if American troops come home in a timely fashion, they will likely return before long

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The Changing Face of American Conservatism

2018-12-08

The demise of the Weekly Standard is proof that the once popular neoconservatism of the past few decades has died

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Israel and Russia’s Strange Relationship

2018-10-07

The fact is that Israel and Russia have a relationship that goes back over a century

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Will Russia’s S-300 Missile System Increase Tensions in Syria?

2018-09-30

Russia will transfer two to four S 300 air defense missile systems to Syria within the next two weeks

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Israel’s Secret War Against Iran Is Widening

2018-09-23

Israel has fully joined the battle in Syria—but it’s not clear it can achieve any of its goals there.

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US Heads Towards Mid-Term Elections

2018-09-23

The United States is less than two months away from its mid-term elections and passions are growing more heated

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The Future of Eastern Syria and the Israeli Interest

2018-09-10

The last independent rebel enclaves in parts of Deraa and Quneitra provinces have ceased to be

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Syria, American Policy, and Assassination

2018-09-10

Trump wanted to have the Syrian president assassinated last year but his defense secretary ignored the request

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Trump Pushes to Fire Special Prosecutor

2018-08-28

For those who follow the history of Watergate and the President Nixon resignation 44 years ago

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US Turkish Relations Continue to Sour

2018-08-28

The problem is that there is more than just one issue standing between the two nations

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Trump, Impeachment, and Media Hype

2018-08-27

The chances of Trump being reelected in 2020 are greater than of his being impeached and convicted

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The End of the Iran Deal Spells the End of Iranian Moderates

2018-07-10

The end of the Iran Deal will strengthen the hand of Tehrans hardliners

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Does Muqtada al-Sadr Pose a Threat to Iran’s Influence in Iraq?

2018-06-18

A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

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Whither the Kurds?

2018-06-14

As Kurds contemplate the future, they have the advantage in contrast to the Palestinians, that the transition calls into question the future political structure of Syria and Iraq

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Will Trump’s Iran Strategy Work?

2018-06-11

While cost imposition works by making the other side pay for its policies, it ultimately targets the domestic economy and the popular support of the opposing regime.

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South China Sea Issue is Heating Up

2018-06-10

The United States and China disagree on ownership of the South China Sea region

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Will Iran Agree to Be Kept Away From the Golan Border in Syria?

2018-06-08

A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

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Riyalpolitik and the Art of Influence in Trump’s Washington

2018-06-07

Americas Arab allies have always wanted to buy direct access to U.S. foreign policy, and they finally found a seller.

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Overcoming the Politics of Pessimism

2018-06-06

Pessimism afflicts those who have lost out economically

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Iran and Europe Prepare for Sanctions

2018-06-04

Everyone is waiting for Europe to make its move even as European companies in Iran are beginning to prepare their exit from the country

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Iraq’s election may have had widespread voter fraud

2018-05-28

It is a truism that Iraqis disappointed in their results often imagine cheating rather than acknowledge their own failures to appeal to a broader electorate

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Iraqi politicians look to calm tensions in wake of US withdrawal from Iran deal

2018-05-25

The US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal poses questions about the role of the Iran-backed Shiite armed factions in bringing the US-Iranian confrontation into Iraq.

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