Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Turkey's Choice in Iraq: Burned Bridges or Win-Win-Win

The next six months could see either a game-changing strategic energy compact between Turkey and the Iraqi Kurds or movement toward a more sustainable Ankara-Baghdad-Erbil relationship. Washington has a strong interest in encouraging the latter.

Apr 15, 2013

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

A View from Cairo: Egypt Is Too Big to Save

Prematurely granting an IMF loan without pressuring the Muslim Brotherhood government to reform and compromise would only accelerate Egypt's descent into failure.

Apr 12, 2013

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Mahmoud Salem

Brief Analysis

The Muslim Brotherhood on Trial in the UAE

Washington should encourage the UAE to publicly present its evidence against the local Brotherhood group al-Islah, several of whose members are being tried for subversion.

Apr 12, 2013

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Policy Toward Syria

The Institute's counselor testified before the Senate regarding the need for action on Syria. The following is an excerpt from his prepared remarks ; download the PDF to read the full testimony, or read the version republished in Foreign Policy under the title "It's Time to Act in Syria." "...There

Apr 11, 2013

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Tired of the Brotherhood, Egyptians Want the Military Back -- But Only Temporarily

A new military takeover would not provide any more of a path to stability than the increasingly autocratic Muslim Brotherhood, yet this may be where Egypt is heading.

Apr 10, 2013

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

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

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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.

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