Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Al-Qaeda Announces an Islamic State in Syria

The open declaration of Jabhat al-Nusra's affiliation with al-Qaeda only reiterates the need for U.S. leadership in helping the mainstream rebels contain the jihadists.

Apr 9, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Video

In-Depth Reports

The Death of Syria? Implications for America and the Middle East

Prince Zeid bin Raad, Jordan's UN ambassador, and veteran U.S. diplomat Ambassador James F. Jeffrey debated responses to the Syrian crisis and the future of the Middle East at the 2013 Lafer Symposium. Watch their wide-ranging discussion.

Apr 8, 2013

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Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Islamism in Libya

The following excerpt is from the 2013 edition of the World Almanac of Islamism , a comprehensive anthology on the state of radical Islam in countries worldwide. Download the PDF to read the Libya chapter, or visit the AFPC website to access the full series. The tragic death of U.S

Apr 5, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Syria's War Could Inflame Turkey's Hatay Province

Pro-Assad sentiment and sectarian tensions in the south have made Ankara think twice about intervention and could bring the fighting over the border.

Apr 4, 2013

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

European Foreign Fighters in Syria

The number of Europeans joining the Syrian jihad is not as high as some fear, but their impact on the war and potential threat upon returning home could be disproportionately great.

Apr 2, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Egypt Takes Another Step Toward Autocracy -- and Instability

Washington should tell Morsi that politicized prosecutions and other autocratic moves are increasing the risk of wider violence.

Apr 1, 2013

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia's Perfect Storm of Domestic Challenges

Amid uncertain leadership and growing domestic criticism in Saudi Arabia, Washington should press Riyadh to tolerate greater political participation, accelerate the succession discussion, and prevent Iran from exploiting the situation.

Mar 29, 2013

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Youth Activism in the Small Gulf States

Young activists will likely be important agents of structural reform in the small Gulf states, and Washington should make more effort to engage them.

Mar 28, 2013

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Brief Analysis

Yemen's National Dialogue and al-Qaeda

As Yemen's National Dialogue unfolds in the coming weeks, Washington should press stakeholders to address not only reform, but also the ongoing al-Qaeda threat.

Mar 26, 2013

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Daniel Green

Brief Analysis

The PKK Announcement: Can Turkey Build a Kurdish Cordon?

Washington should work with Ankara, the Syrian opposition, and Baghdad to ensure that new PKK peace talks alleviate their mutual concerns about Syria's future and the Kurdish question.

Mar 25, 2013

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David Pollock
Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Economic Crisis: How to Help Cairo Help Itself

Because Egypt's economic crisis has political roots, international donors cannot save the country by themselves. But they can use the IMF negotiations to help Cairo recognize that a turnaround will require not just economic reform, but more inclusive government and political reconciliation.

Mar 25, 2013

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Arms for Syria's Rebels: Shaping the War's Outcome

Military assistance can make Syrian rebel forces more effective, help shape the post-Assad period for Syria, and increase influence and access for the donor.

Mar 25, 2013

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Jeffrey White

Brief Analysis

Syria's Meltdown Requires a U.S.-Led Response

As Syria heads toward a meltdown spilling over its borders -- with loss of control over strategic weapons, accelerated refugee flows, spreading extremism, and Sunni-Shiite clashes -- only engaging with those doing the fighting will give Washington much influence over events.

Mar 22, 2013

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Andrew J. Tabler

Video

Brief Analysis

Obama to the Middle East: Expectations and Implications (Part 2)

Subscribe to Washington Institute videos on YouTube. Sign up for live event broadcast alerts from The Washington Institute On March 18, 2013, David Makovsky, Michael Singh, and Dennis Ross addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Mr. Makovsky is the Ziegler distinguished fellow and director of the Project on

Mar 21, 2013

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David Makovsky
Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

In Power, But Not in Control

The Muslim Brotherhood may have the votes for now, but Egypt is a ship without a rudder.

Mar 21, 2013

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

What Are Chemical Weapons and How Would Syria Use Them?

The impacts would be horrifying, but Assad probably can't employ them effectively on a large scale -- yet.

Mar 21, 2013

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Saving Jordan's King Abdullah Must Be a U.S. Priority

Perhaps Washington's best Arab ally, the monarch increasingly lacks money and political stability.

Mar 21, 2013

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David Schenker

Video

Brief Analysis

Obama to the Middle East: Expectations and Implications (Part 1)

Subscribe to Washington Institute videos on YouTube. Sign up for live event broadcast alerts from The Washington Institute On March 18, 2013, Dennis Ross, David Makovsky, and Michael Singh addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Ambassador Ross, the Institute's counselor, served most recently as special assistant to President

Mar 20, 2013

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Is Iraq Headed Toward Civil War?

On the tenth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the New York Times convened an online panel of experts to discuss whether the war was worth the cost in light of continued violence and political problems. The following contribution was made by Michael Knights, a Boston-based Lafer fellow with

Mar 20, 2013

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Syria's Humanitarian Crisis

The Washington Institute's managing director testified before the Senate regarding next steps to address Syria's ongoing war and its effects on the population. The following is an excerpt from his prepared testimony. Download the PDF to read his full remarks. "The humanitarian crisis in Syria is of a scale with

Mar 19, 2013

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Michael Singh

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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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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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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