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

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

The Owl Thieves of Sweden

As the country ditches cash, criminals turn to stealing owls.

Riyalpolitik and the Art of Influence in Trump’s Washington

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

King Abdullah of Jordan: Balancing on an ever-tighter tightrope

A look at a decade of failed social, economic and political reform in Jordan goes a far way to explain recent mass anti-government protests demanding the resignation of the government.

Why Facebook Will Never Die

Despite scandals over fake news and data privacy, the social network is unlikely to disappear any time soon

Overcoming the Politics of Pessimism

Pessimism afflicts those who have lost out economically

Journalist Talks about the Role of Studies Centers in Iraqi Decision Making

Politicizing Education: Israel and Myanmar set worrisome precedent

Israel and Myanmar are the two countries with troubled human rights records and disputed histories of dealing with ethnic and national rights

Iran and Europe Prepare for Sanctions

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

What Book on the Broader Middle East, New or Old, Do You Recommend As Summer Reading?

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

Where the Water Is

Sustainable Development Goal 6 calls for universal access to clean water and sanitation. But if governments do not embrace unconventional water resources

Why No One Answers Their Phone Anymore

Telephone culture is disappearing.

Mahathir’s reforms could put Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the spot

Newly elected Malaysian Prime Minister Mohammed Mahathir is adopting policies that could reshape the Southeast nation’s relations with powerful Gulf States.

Annabaa Forum for Dialogue discusses formation of coming Iraqi government

Annabaa Forum for Dialogue held its session to discuss the “Scenarios to form the Iraqi government

Saddams Disney for a Despot: how Dictators Exploit Ruins

The Iraqi dictator followed Mussolinis lead in appropriating ancient ruins to tell a flattering story about his own authoritarian regime.

As Iraqi elections end, power play begins for prime minister

The Islamic Dawa party, which has held sway over Iraqs government for a dozen years, could lose its power to select the prime minister unless it can resolve major differences between its inner rivals and unify the party.

Should Economists Make Moral Judgments?

At least since the days of John Maynard Keynes, professional economists have not had to worry too much about the moral implications of their technical work

Saudi Arabia Hits the Brakes on Reforms

Arresting feminists does not inspire faith in the crown princes much hyped reform agenda.

Congress rebels against Trump’s Middle East war secrecy

I would say since the Trump administration came in, we have seen a gradual increase in limitations on congressional delegations, especially Iraq and Afghanistan and understandably Syria

Iraq’s election may have had widespread voter fraud

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

Why Reinvent the Monetary Wheel?

Cryptocurrencies promise to realize Friedrich Hayek’s dream of a free market in money. But human societies have discovered no better way to keep the value of money roughly constant than by relying on central banks to exercise control over its issue

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

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.

The battle for the Iranian nuclear deal: China approaches a watershed

Fault lines in the Middle East have hardened because of Israel, Saudi and United Arab Emirates assertiveness, emboldened by both a US administration that is more partisan in its Middle East policy

Petroleum's Rising Price Depends on Supply and Politics

There are several factors that have introduced uncertainty into the market, prompting upward pressure on oil prices.

The Old Allure of New Money

The cryptocurrency revolution, which started with bitcoin in 2009, claims to be inventing new kinds of money

Iraq’s Top 10 Potential Prime Ministers

Will it be the Harvard- and MIT-educated mandarin, the coveralls-wearing man of the people — or someone else the world has never heard of?

Trapping Trump?

The hardliners on the nuclear deal with Iran are leaving the U.S. president with one option, namely war.

The Middle East’s new battle lines

while 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