Policy Analysis

Analysis of the March 30 local elections from Turkey scholar Soner Cagaptay and former U.S. ambassador to Ankara James Jeffrey.

Less than a generation removed from the 15-year civil war that claimed nearly 200,000 lives, Lebanon again appears to be hurtling toward instability.

If releasing the long-imprisoned spy is one of several steps aimed at giving the peace process a necessary boost, then Washington has ample cause to consider it.

The Party of God is not only hurting its domestic standing in Lebanon, but also inviting a wider regional conflict it cannot control.

A closer look at the most pressing economic, diplomatic, territorial, and succession issues in each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Given Moscow's potential ability to undermine Iran diplomacy, Washington has yet another compelling reason to reestablish faith in -- and fear of -- America's willingness to use military strength.

Does Obama still have pull over Riyadh when the king's point man -- Prince Bandar -- is pulling the strings from afar?

The Department of Homeland Security's chief counterterrorism coordinator discussed the government's evolving approach to countering violent extremism.

Supplying more reliable electricity to West Bank and Gaza residents could help change the political atmosphere and enable more diplomatic progress in the future.

Secretary Kerry's visit comes amid Morocco's efforts to expand its regional influence and an upcoming vote in Algeria.

King Abdullah's appointment of Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, his half-brother, as deputy crown prince could marginalize Crown Prince Salman.

Although Iran's nuclear potential will likely dominate talks between President Obama and King Abdullah on March 29, Riyadh's own nuclear plans should also be part of the discussion.

The summit is a crucial opportunity for the two allies to repair relations, but major differences will likely persist.

A closer look at how the supreme military council will operate now that Field Marshal Sisi has thrown his hat into the presidential ring, including a chart illustrating the SCAF's likely new membership.

The kingdom will have a raft of complaints for the president when he visits Riyadh.

A number of U.S. interests could be served by expanding support to strategic Gulf partners in their efforts to curb Iranian aid to local fighters.

To ease ongoing tensions, the AKP government needs to adopt a truly sect-blind approach, while staunchly secular communities need to allow some room for religion in the public sphere.

Turkey's leaders should acknowledge that banning social media sites is neither feasible nor conducive to developing a more advanced economy.

Iranian elites continue to express skepticism about the International Atomic Energy Agency's verification measures, nuclear safeguards agreements, and impartiality, with some even accusing it of collusion with foreign intelligence agencies.

There is no guarantee that a peace deal will be reached within the current timeline, but a Palestinian return to armed struggle would be a far greater political, economic, and humanitarian disaster than any short-term frustration with the negotiations.