Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood Set to Prevail Despite Policy Failures

The following article is one of three to emerge from " Dateline Egypt and North Africa: Updates from the Field," a Policy Forum hosted by The Washington Institute on March 5. The other two are Aaron Zelin's op-ed " Tunisia's Post-Revolution Blues" and David Pollock's PolicyWatch " Rule the Casbah

Mar 19, 2013

◆

Eric Trager

In-Depth Reports

Obama II and the Middle East

Strategic Objectives for U.S. Policy

THE MIDDLE EAST has been home to incessant turmoil and instability since the end of World War II, yet as President Obama enters his second term, he faces a spectrum of threats in this region unparalleled in modern history. Iran's nuclear program rapidly approaches the threshold to breakout capability, perhaps

Mar 19, 2013

◆

Dennis Ross
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

What Obama Should Do in Israel

If the president takes a risk and advocates interim steps, he will be making a major contribution toward sustaining a two-state vision that is slowly fading in the minds of Israelis and Palestinians.

Mar 19, 2013

◆

Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Iran's Politicians Focus on 2013 Presidential Elections, not Nuclear Issue

The growing political struggle over the 2013 presidential elections in Iran may substantially divert the attention of the Islamic regime from external issues and hamper the progress of nuclear talks.

Mar 18, 2013

◆

Nikolay Kozhanov

Articles & Testimony

Turkey's Kurdish-Language Policy: Learning from Europe

To get back on the road toward peace, democratization, and perhaps even EU membership, Turkey's leaders will need to forge ahead on language reforms aimed at recognizing the country's ethnic minorities.

Mar 18, 2013

◆

Soner Cagaptay
Tyler Evans

Articles & Testimony

Mideast Seeks a New Commitment from Obama

The administration should overcome its hesitations and embrace the leadership role that only the United States can play in addressing the region’s big problems.

Mar 18, 2013

◆

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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

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.

Regions & Countries

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

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts