Arab & Islamic Politics

The recent presidential election in Iran proved that the Islamic Republic's instinct for self-preservation trumps its ideology. Hassan Rouhani, the current representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the Supreme National Security Council and former head nuclear negotiator, won the election in the first round, a total surprise for

Although Bahrain's ongoing troubles are domestically focused, the latest developments are a reminder of the region's wider Sunni-Shiite divide and the problematic role played by Iran.

Washington should pursue a measured but assertive course with Syria, because the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the threat it poses.

Defeating Iranian designs in Syria would not halt Tehran's nuclear ambitions, but it could restore the credibility of American power and force Iran's leaders to reconsider the costs of their strategy.

Similar to other conflicts, diplomacy on Syria is as much, if not more, about what one does away from the table to develop leverage as it is about talks themselves.

The forthcoming elevation of Crown Prince Tamim to Qatar's top leadership roles could spur Iran and other rivals to play mischief.

Over the past three decades, the Iranian regime has managed to survive numerous internal and external crises. From coup attempts to war and, most recently, mass uprisings and nuclear sanctions, the Islamic Republic has been able to neutralize threats at home and on its borders while avoiding foreign intervention. In

Discussions with Chinese officials and analysts highlight the need for measured cooperation on various regional issues, including endgame diplomatic proposals for Iran and de-escalation in Syria.

Abbas's chosen candidate will boost Fatah's profile in the near term, but international donors will ultimately judge the new premier based on how he handles fiscal transparency, economic stewardship, and security cooperation.