Barbara A. Leaf and Bilal Wahab
Nationalist sentiment and Iranian pressure have led some Iraqi legislators to oppose a continued U.S. military presence, but Washington could make things much worse if it overreacts.
Algerian authorities have sent a clear message that they are seriously considering implementing the promised reforms Bouteflika mentioned in his most recent letter. Furthermore, they have tried to keep things under control to help foster the environment necessary for that inevitable transition, the nature of which still sparks disagreements between the different parties.
As Algiers braces for wider protests, Washington should coordinate with Arab and European allies to signal the government that it risks losing control unless it changes course.
Jonathan Schanzer and Ghaith al-Omari
Past administrations have publicized their plans too soon, provoking fury from extremists on both sides.
Iran's leadership faces three converging threats: Khamenei's uncertain health, domestic dissatisfaction, and the reimposition of U.S.sanctions.
Michael Eisenstadt and Soner Cagaptay
Establishing such a zone in the northeast would give Ankara and the United States a unique opportunity to work together, provided Washington can convince its European allies to participate as well.
Articles & Op-Eds
Matthew Levitt and Aaron Y. Zelin
If the Syria withdrawal proves inevitable, officials should push to phase the departure, keep U.S. forces at Tanf, maintain the air campaign, forge a counterterror agreement with Turkey, and take other fallback measures.
Articles & Op-Eds
China likely hoped to find economic opportunities in Syria's reconstruction—yet another example of how it relies on the security umbrella provided by U.S. troops in international conflict zones.
PolicyWatch 3064
Jerusalem seeks to mitigate the potential risks of the president’s decision by shaping its implementation and obtaining U.S. security guarantees, though long-term concerns still loom.
PolicyWatch 3060
Despite the heavy risks created by recent policy reversals, a well-managed transition can help preserve the major gains against the Islamic State while protecting America’s local partners.
