Far from disenfranchising certain groups, the pending legislation could spur smaller parties to form new political alliances that would likely favor the center-left opposition in future elections.
The Ukraine situation will affect Washington's Middle Eastern priorities, but not to such a degree that it will stymie a strong U.S. response to Russian actions, since America has the power to act in the region without Moscow if necessary. Ukraine could well make it necessary.
Soner Cagaptay, Ben Hodges, James F. Jeffrey, and Ross Wilson
Watch a webcast on Turkey's ascent to global status with two U.S. ambassadors to Ankara, the head of NATO LANDCOM, and the author of a new book on the country's transformation.
Join us Friday for a webcast with Shaarik H. Zafar, a top official in the intelligence community's efforts to counter violent extremism. Event starts at 12:30 p.m. EDT.
The scope of the war's regional fallout will become more apparent in the coming months as radicalized foreign fighters return to their home countries, sectarian strife increases in Lebanon, and massive refugee flows exacerbate public health problems.
If the United States neglects the bigger regional picture and focuses solely on deal-making with Tehran, the result may be a tactical victory but a strategic defeat.
The withdrawal of several ambassadors from Qatar is a setback to U.S. diplomacy with Gulf allies and another item for President Obama's upcoming meeting with the Saudi king.
The threat of European boycotts against Israel is much more potential than real, but it is gradually gaining ground as an unofficial movement and could surge if the current peace talks fail.
The president's approach to recent crises shows an emphasis on the feasibility of successfully intervening, so he may yet decide to take action in Syria if his assessment of the stakes changes.
PolicyWatch, Policy Forum
Andrew J. Tabler, Jeffrey White, and Aaron Y. Zelin
On January 27, 2014, Andrew Tabler, Jeffrey White, and Aaron Zelin addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Tabler is a senior fellow in the Institute's Program on Arab Politics...
PolicyWatch 2195
Given that Assad and his backers want to gut the transition process called for in the Geneva Communique, Washington should plan to take other steps in parallel to the Geneva process.
PolicyWatch 2203
The Obama administration seems to be understating the risks of minimalist engagement in Syria and overstating the risks of greater involvement, despite the achievable, worthwhile goals of military assistance and limited use of force.
Interviews and Presentations
Jeffrey White and David Schenker
The complexities and dynamics of the Syrian conflict make it distinctly possible that Israel could become militarily involved -- even though none of the actors are interested in that outcome.
