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Iran's Precision Missile Project Moves to Lebanon

Katherine Bauer, Hanin Ghaddar, and Assaf Orion

This new paper examines Tehran's objectives in Syria, Russia's regional goals, and the way these translate to long-term threats and short-term risks for Israel, particularly in relationship to Hezbollah and advanced precision weapons.

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All Is Quiet on Iran’s Western Front, Say UN Peacekeepers

Assaf Orion

Local UN forces need serious rebalancing if they are to help address Tehran’s blatant military buildup in the area.

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New Saudi Poll: Corruption a Major Concern, Divisions on Reforms and U.S. Ties

David Pollock

In the wake of the Khashoggi scandal, a rare new public opinion poll in Saudi Arabia shows wide popular concern about corruption and other internal problems. At the same time, the survey data demonstrates only minority support for the official initiative of Islamic reform. Ironically, then, this prime locus of support on the part of outside powers for Saudi policy shifts is also precisely the area of greatest internal debate.

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The UAE and Yemen’s Islah: A Coalition Coalesces

Barbara A. Leaf and Elana DeLozier

To jumpstart the moribund peace process and ensure Emirati influence in postwar Yemen, Abu Dhabi seems willing to swallow its distaste for certain Islamist parties, at least for now.

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The United States, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East in the Post-Khashoggi Era

Michael Singh

In addition to imperiling U.S. public support for regional relationships, neglecting human rights issues can blind policymakers to the brittleness of certain partner states.

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Russian Romancing, Saudi Intrigue Precede OPEC Meeting

Simon Henderson

The cartel’s uncertain future may be shaped by any number of economic and diplomatic wildcards, including Russian outreach, Qatari gas exports, and U.S. turmoil over the Khashoggi murder.

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Policy Alert

Why Has Netanyahu Reversed Course on Early Elections?

David Makovsky

He seems to have calculated that keeping his coalition together is the best way to rebuild public support for the Gaza ceasefire policy, but his political margins are narrowing.

PolicyWatch 3044

Flare-Up in Gaza (Part 2): Gently Undoing a Gordian Knot

Ghaith al-Omari and Assaf Orion

Israel and Hamas cannot advance their current strategic goals through intensified fighting, but the Cairo dialogue could enable important short-term gains in Gaza.

PolicyWatch 3042

Flare-Up in Gaza (Part 1): Israeli Political Implications

David Makovsky

Netanyahu’s government has splintered following a new round of violence, raising questions about the utility of escalation versus reinstating the ceasefire with incremental infrastructure improvements in Gaza.