Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Arab Tribes and Saudi Influence in Northeastern Syria

Saudi Arabia has worked with Syrian tribes in the past to bolster their involvement in Northeastern Syria, but tribal frustrations with the SDF and shifting geopolitical realities are impacting this relationship.

Aug 2, 2022

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Ishtar Al Shami

Al-Etejah TV’s documentary featuring Nouri al-Maliki, posted on Al-Etejah’s YouTube channel on April 13, 2021

Fikra Forum

The Maliki Leaks: The Shadow Culture of Politics in Iraq

The Maliki audio leaks highlight the inherent fragility of Iraqi politicians while offering an insight into the dynastic politics of Iraq.

Aug 2, 2022

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Sardar Aziz

Supporters of Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr gather during a sit-in, inside the parliament building in Baghdad - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The U.S. Role in Iraq’s Political Crisis: Guidelines for More Effective Engagement

Disengaging after last year’s election was a costly miscalculation, but Washington can still meet its goals in Iraq by diving into the fray and prioritizing the system over individual political preferences.

Aug 1, 2022

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Bilal Wahab

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Timeline of Tunisia's Constitutional Crisis and the U.S. Response

An infographic illustrating President Saied's controversial political moves since summer 2021 and the steps U.S. officials have taken to discourage authoritarian backsliding.

Jul 20, 2022

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Ben Fishman
Kyle Robertson

Fair-Observer-Arab-NATO-Middle-East-politics-Iran-news-GCC-news

Fikra Forum

A Middle Eastern NATO Appears Necessary, but Not Yet Possible

While a military alliance with U.S. backing seems natural, necessary, and justified, the path to the establishment of a Middle Eastern NATO is barred by regional differences.

Jul 18, 2022

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Mohammad Abu Ghazleh

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Arab Public Opinion on Arab-Israeli Normalization and Abraham Accords

A recent poll indicates that though more Gulfis now disapprove of the Abraham Accords, undertones of warming sentiments towards allowing contacts with Israelis are also present.

Jul 15, 2022

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Dylan Kassin
David Pollock

Fikra Forum

Political Opposition in Iraq: Between Reform and Regime Change

Iraq’s model of opposition traditionally focuses on ideological frameworks and regime change at the expense of working within the political system to effect change.

Jul 11, 2022

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Abbas Abboud Salem

Fikra Forum

New Poll Reveals Moderate Trend Among East Jerusalem Palestinians

A new poll captures East Jerusalem attitudes towards Arab-Israeli rapprochement, involvement from other Arab countries, and the U.S. policy on the conflict.

Jul 8, 2022

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David Pollock

Fikra Forum

Implications of the Sadrist Withdrawal for the Shia Coordination Framework and Iran

The conflict between the Sadrists and the Shia Coordination Framework signals the potential for a new political order in Iraq and a shift in Iran's influence in the country.

Jun 29, 2022

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Firas Elias

Articles & Testimony

One Small Handshake for the United States, One Giant Leap for U.S.-Saudi Relations

President Biden has a powerful moral imperative for ending his feud with the crown prince: to ensure that the kingdom’s gradual pivot away from extremism doesn’t falter.

Jun 29, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Fikra Forum

The Tishreeni Movement Continues: Change Is Inevitably Coming to Iraq

Iraq’s Tishreen movement, driven by a reduced fear of political authority, is reshaping Iraqi politics by injecting fear of the popular will into the political elite.

Jun 28, 2022

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Munqith Dagher

Photo of an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Video

Brief Analysis

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq (Part 3)

Three experts evaluate the KRG’s oil and gas industry and discuss the growing urgency of resolving its disputes with Baghdad.

Jun 28, 2022

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James Jeffrey
Matthew Amitrano
Bilal Wahab

◆ The KRG Turns Thirty

Drawing of oil pipeline, Iraq, Kurdistan

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

The Necessary U.S. Role in Fixing the Baghdad-Kurdistan Energy Dispute

A targeted intervention could aid American interests and the global effort to find a substitute for Russian and Iranian oil and gas.

Jun 27, 2022

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Michael Knights

Fikra Forum

Why did the Sadrists Withdraw from the Iraqi Political Process?

The current stalemate in Iraq may lead to a complete collapse of its political institutions and prompt the international community to intervene if domestic political actors fail.

Jun 23, 2022

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Mohanad Faris

Brief Analysis

Rhetoric Meets Reality in Jawlani’s Push for Self-Sufficiency

As a key UN vote approaches, Washington should push Turkey to help promote a diverse, balanced economy in HTS-controlled northwest Syria.

Jun 8, 2022

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Lebanon’s (Verbal) Threat Against Israeli Gas Exploration

Production from Israel’s Karish offshore natural gas field is scheduled to start later this year.

Jun 6, 2022

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Simon Henderson

An Egyptian guard inspects bomb damage near the Gaza border in Sinai

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Remilitarized Sinai Is a Future Powder Keg

Cairo needs to hear from Israel, the United States, and the Multinational Force & Observers that its security violations erode the Egypt-Israel peace.

Jun 3, 2022

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David Schenker

A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Reflagging Ships Could Be the Answer to Russia's Blockade of Black Sea Ports

Such an option could limit the risk of escalation, pressure Russia, and help avert a humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

Jun 2, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Garrett I. Campbell

Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Return of Old Leader Presents New Opportunities in Somalia

The Biden administration should be encouraged by the incoming president’s ties to the UAE and apparent openness to bolstering the counterterrorism fight and normalizing with Israel.

May 26, 2022

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Ido Levy

Video

Brief Analysis

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq

On the anniversary of the Kurdish region’s first election, three experts take stock of the bilateral relationship and internal political and economic challenges.

May 23, 2022

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Bilal Wahab
Amberin Zaman
Vance Serchuk

◆ The KRG Turns Thirty

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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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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