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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, casts his vote for president
Brief Analysis
The 2024 Election Cycle Starts in Iran
Upcoming votes pose a dilemma for the Supreme Leader: should he aggressively disqualify candidates and further alienate the public, or risk a Majlis dominated by his political rivals?
Aug 18, 2023
◆
  • Omer Carmi
A United States Air Force trainer works with soldiers of the Nigerian Armed Forces - source: U.S. government
Brief Analysis
Niger Coup Threatens U.S. Strategy on Counterterrorism and Russia
An entrenched military junta could jeopardize America’s primary CT partner in West Africa, create ripple effects for security beyond the Sahel, and give Russia’s Wagner Group a new opening on the continent.
Aug 16, 2023
◆
  • Ben Fishman
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
  • Aaron Y. Zelin
A Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) soldier
Brief Analysis
Can the Lebanese Army Prevent a Hezbollah-Christian Conflict?
Given the military’s behavior during a recent confrontation and the spike in Christian anger toward Hezbollah, Washington should consider fine-tuning its assistance to the LAF, cutting off units that are not committed to protecting the people.
Aug 11, 2023
◆
  • Hanin Ghaddar
Kurdistan Flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Tracking Iranian Soft Power Influence in the KRI
The Islamic Republic of Iran over several years has gained a significant foothold in Iraq, spreading its influence and agenda throughout Iraqi daily life.
Aug 11, 2023
◆
  • Nawras Jaff
Brief Analysis
Firing PA Governors: Precursor to Change or Internal Power Play?
Although Abbas’s latest edict might hold consequences for Fatah politics, the PA’s public standing, and West Bank militancy, a measure of skepticism about its significance is warranted.
Aug 10, 2023
◆
  • Ghaith al-Omari
AUIS Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
How American-Style Education Influences Iraq’s Private Sector
To grow, the Iraqi economy needs a more robust private sector, which in turn needs young Iraqi workers with business-ready skill sets. American-style universities are filling the gap.
Aug 9, 2023
◆
  • May Kadow
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Iraqi Kurds Face Legitimacy Issues Amid Election Deadlock and Internal Division
The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has been heading for unprecedented political and financial uncertainties as a result of the growing disputes between the two ruling parties and the central government’s moves to erode the KRI’s autonomous status.
Aug 7, 2023
◆
  • Bekir Aydoğan
Lebanese protesters demonstrate against central bank official Riad Salameh in Tyre in 2019 - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Lebanon Is a Global Sanctuary for Criminals
Even if much-needed prosecutions against Hezbollah members are deemed too dangerous at present, donors must still pressure Beirut to extradite other individuals charged with crimes abroad, starting with banking official Riad Salameh.
Aug 2, 2023
◆
  • David Schenker
A Beirut money changer handles Lebanese pound and U.S. dollar notes - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Economic and Security Conditions in Lebanon
Lebanon’s current problems stem from persistent economic and political corruption, and Hezbollah remains the de facto enforcer of this mafia-like status quo.
Jul 2023
◆
  • Matthew Levitt
Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
How a Small Saudi City Explains China’s Role in the Saudi-Iran Agreement
China's recent mediation efforts between Riyadh and Tehran were motivated by a combination of strategic outlook and economic interest in the Middle East, signaling a gradual shift away from its traditional "free-riding" approach.
Jul 31, 2023
◆
  • Essa Nahari
Photo of Israelis in Tel Aviv protesting proposed judiciary changes, February 2023.
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Israel and Algeria: Protests, Politics, and Colonialism
Exploring the parallels in the Israeli and Algerian experiences provides insight into the future of democracy in both countries.
Jul 28, 2023
◆
  • Bruce Maddy-Weitzman
A Sudanese protester against military rule
Video
Brief Analysis
Sudan's Civil War: Mediation Challenges and the U.S. Role
Three experts assess the conflict’s effects on regional humanitarian and security issues, outlining the requirements for a durable ceasefire.
Jul 28, 2023
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  • Yasir Zaidan
  • Reem Abbas
  • Alex Rondos
Sadiq al-Gharyani
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Could Libya Become Africa’s Afghanistan?
As political figures vie for influence in Libya, Islamist groups have been empowered to crack down on religious freedoms, women, and minority groups across the country.
Jul 26, 2023
◆
  • Khalil El Hasse
Sinjar Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Sinjar: Challenges and Resilience Nine Years after Genocide
The ninth anniversary of the Yazidi Genocide in Sinjar, Iraq is drawing near, a tragedy in which thousands of Yazidis were murdered, Yazidi women and children were enslaved, and Yazidi villages and compounds were destroyed by ISIS in August 2014.
Jul 25, 2023
◆
  • Izat Noah
A priest leads an Easter mass at the Grand Immaculate Church in Al-Hamdaniya, Iraq, April 9, 2023 - source: Reuters
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Blunting the Militia Campaign Against Iraq’s Christian Leaders
A U.S.-sanctioned, Iran-backed militia leader aims to sideline the country’s Chaldean Patriarch and take over billions of dollars’ worth of Christian property.
Jul 25, 2023
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  • Yaqoub Beth-Addai
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abdul Fattah al Sisi
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Egypt Has Not Revealed Any Workable Plan for Sudan
Despite numerous conferences and promises, Sudan's regional neighbors have done little to defuse the current conflict.
Jul 21, 2023
◆
  • Mon’im Omer
Biden GCC
Brief Analysis
Middle East Visits to the United States Under Biden, Trump, and Obama
The pandemic left President Biden with fewer opportunities to host regional leaders early in his term, but the quantities and patterns in each administration’s invitations offer additional revelations about their policy priorities.
Jul 20, 2023
◆
  • Ahmad Sharawi
  • Essa Nahari
Autonomous_Administration_of_North_and_East_Syria
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The SDF’s Approach to Erdoğan’s Victory
Worried by the implications of Erdoğan's reelection, the Kurds in northeastern Syria need active support from the United States now more than ever.
Jul 19, 2023
◆
  • Baraa Sabri
Mecca
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Saudi Survey Says: Nearly Half Back “Moderate Islam”; Few Support Internal Protests or War with Iran
Saudi minds have become considerably more open to a modern version of Islam since this question was first asked in 2017.
Jul 14, 2023
◆
  • David Pollock
  • Daniel Chodorow
kadhimi Iraq
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Abu Ragheef Committee Crisis: Security Repercussions for Iraq
The repercussions of the Abu Ragheef committee are still playing out in Iraq, as the Sudani government attempts to assign blame and pursue justice.
Jul 14, 2023
◆
  • Fawzi al-Zubaidi

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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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Featured experts

David Schenker
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
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
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.
David Pollock
David Pollock
David Pollock is the Bernstein Fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on regional political dynamics and related issues.
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab
Bilal Wahab is the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Fellow at The Washington Institute.
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