Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Brief Analysis

Sworn Frenemies: Sunni-Shiite Conflict and Cooperation

Notwithstanding current hostilities, there is a long history of cooperation between Sunni and Shiite extremists.

May 30, 2013

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah's Declaration of War in Syria: Military Implications

Hezbollah's commitment to the Syrian conflict will likely change the course of the war.

May 29, 2013

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Jeffrey White

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Summer of Discontent

Even as it prods Egypt's political actors to dial down the tension, Washington should help the country's military leaders prepare for even greater instability.

May 28, 2013

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Syrian Crisis Leading Towards Open Turkey-Iran Conflict

Sectarian flames are melting away Turkey's hard-earned soft power in the Middle East and pushing Ankara closer to Washington.

May 26, 2013

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Soner Cagaptay

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, casts his vote for president

Brief Analysis

Winners and Losers in Iran's Presidential Election

Ayatollah Khamenei is determined to push for a completely loyal president, but the decision to dismiss Rafsanjani could undermine the regime in the long run.

May 24, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Chaos in the Sinai: Will International Peacekeepers Be the Next Casualty?

The MFO faces growing pressure in the Sinai, but its presence remains crucial to maintaining peace between Egypt and Israel.

May 24, 2013

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

After Ahmadinejad

The factional disputes that have long paralyzed Iranian policymaking will likely persist after the upcoming election, leaving the regime with no choice but to persist in its diplomatic standoff with the West.

May 22, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

The Muslim Brotherhood's Views on Iran

Washington Institute fellow Eric Trager sat down with Foreign Policy Association blogger Reza Akhlaghi to discuss how Egypt's leaders view Iran's regional strategy and the upcoming presidential election.

May 20, 2013

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Can Obama Save Turkey from a Syrian Quagmire?

More decisive American engagement would simultaneously end doubts about the United States’ commitment to Syria and save Turkey from being pulled further into a conflict that threatens to derail the impressive political and economic progress of the last decade.

May 17, 2013

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Political Instability in Jordan

A new report on how Washington can help Jordan deal with continuing turmoil at home and abroad.

May 16, 2013

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Robert Satloff
David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Syria to Top Erdogan's Washington Agenda

Turkey's worsening border situation gives President Obama considerable asking power with Erdogan on a variety of issues, including Iran, Israel, and domestic reform.

May 16, 2013

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

The Muslim Brotherhood: From Opposition to Power

Assuming the Brotherhood is "democratic" and "nonviolent" has left the international community unprepared for the very undemocratic and violent reality. Alison Pargeter is not so deluded.

May 15, 2013

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Yes, Iraq Is Unraveling

Loosening the ties that bind Iraq together is a risk, but holding too tightly is the greater danger.

May 15, 2013

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Standoff Between the Tunisian Government and Ansar al-Sharia

Whichever way the latest tensions unfold, Tunis is unlikely to return to its "light touch" of old, and further confrontations with the Salafists could become the norm.

May 14, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

On Syria, Diplomacy and Coercion Are Not Mutually Exclusive

Increased U.S. support for the opposition and credible threats of military force are vital to altering the calculations of other parties and advancing diplomacy.

May 14, 2013

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Israel Acted on Its Red Line, Now Obama Must Act on His

While taking action in Syria will not be simple or cheap, it will ultimately be less costly than losing control of chemical weapons or letting Jordan and other neighbors be destabilized.

May 10, 2013

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Multilateralism Breeds Paralysis

The Obama administration has made intervention in Syria dependent on the Arab League, which is utterly unprepared to act.

May 9, 2013

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David Schenker

Multimedia

In-Depth Reports

Beijing, Moscow, and the Middle East

Two leading scholars of Russian and Chinese foreign policy explored Moscow and Beijing's evolving interests and approaches to the Middle East at the Institute's 2013 Soref Symposium.

May 9, 2013

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Alexander Shumilin
Wu Bingbing

In-Depth Reports

Coping with Change: The Middle East and the Second Obama Administration

2013 Soref Symposium

The Washington Institute convened a broad array of policymakers, activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world for The Washington Institute's annual policy conference in Washington, DC.

May 8, 2013

Video

In-Depth Reports

Egypt's Revolution, Two Years On: Transition in Distress?

Anwar E. El Sadat, president of Egypt's Reform and Development Party, joined Institute counselor and former White House Middle East advisor Dennis Ross at The Washington Institute's 2013 Soref Symposium for a conversation on Egypt's ongoing transition to post-Mubarak rule.

May 8, 2013

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Mohamed Anwar E. al-Sadat

Supported by the

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics focuses on social, political, and economic developments in the Arab world, with an emphasis on the Arab countries of the Levant.

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Featured experts

David Schenker

David Schenker is the Taube Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics. He is the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs.

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

Hanin Ghaddar

Hanin Ghaddar is the Friedmann Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute's Rubin Family Arab Politics Program, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.

Bilal Wahab

Bilal Wahab was the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Issues

Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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