With friends like these in Washington, no wonder the crown prince believes he can get away with outrageous actions.
The mysterious and deeply troubling disappearance of noted Saudi political commentator Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul has refocused attention on the paradox of Saudi “reformist repression.” But a key question is this: how much do Saudis themselves – as opposed to Western experts, media, or NGOs – really know or care about such problems?
The crisis casts doubt on whether Western officials can continue excusing the crown prince’s domestic authoritarianism.
He’s 83, with no successor and no state, but he still seems to believe that defiance is a worthwhile end in of itself.
The United States needs to keep Europe on board, go beyond sanctions, and ensure lasting bipartisan support for its new policy.
In this new study, David M. Witty examines prospects for the Counter Terrorism Service in Iraq's post–Islamic State landscape.
PolicyWatch
The regime’s most vulnerable point is its precarious banking system, whose persistent mismanagement, capital shortfalls, and lack of transparency have already sparked public protests.
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Pending policy decisions on reimposing sanctions will give Washington opportunities to calibrate its arsenal of measures against illicit Iranian financial activity.
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Numerous individual aircraft and front companies were added to the Treasury sanctions list, but naming even more of them could boost U.S. efforts to pressure Iran and close the IRGC’s Syrian air bridge.
Policy Forum
Barbara A. Leaf and Ali Shihabi
Can Washington turn its Arab partners' favorable rhetoric on the administration's new Iran policy into concrete actions to curb Tehran's regional adventurism? Join us for an expert conversation and live webcast on Tuesday, June 5.
