Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Getting the Israel-Jordan Relationship Back on Track

The deterioration seen in recent years has diplomatic, political, economic, and even personal roots, and their collective effect has been to hold back everyone’s interests, including Washington’s.

Mar 12, 2021

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David Schenker
Ghaith al-Omari

Syrian flag over a ruined building destroyed by bombing

Video

Brief Analysis

The Struggle for Peace in Syria: A Decade of Decisionmaking

Two former U.S. ambassadors and a Syrian opposition official examine the many diplomatic, geopolitical, and humanitarian lessons the conflict holds for the Biden administration.

Mar 11, 2021

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Bassma Kodmani
Robert Ford
James Jeffrey

Assistant secretary of state David Schenker speaks at the Department of State in Washington, DC, alongside secretary of state Mike Pompeo

Video

Brief Analysis

Middle East Policy from Trump to Biden: Views from Inside the State Department’s Near East Bureau

The former assistant secretary of state in charge of the Middle East portfolio from 2019-2021 discusses his time in office and how the region’s challenges and opportunities are evolving at the start of the Biden administration.

March 10, 2021

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David Schenker
Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Lebanon's Predicament: Political Stagnation and Economic Collapse in a Hezbollah-Dominated State

Three Lebanese experts explore Beirut’s precarious politics, Hezbollah’s continued ability to evade accountability, and the Biden administration’s options.

Mar 5, 2021

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Makram Rabah
Ali al-Amin
Alia Mansour

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Tuna and Noodles Saga: Findings from a War of Words Between Militias

Bitter squabbles between the social media platforms of two competing Iraqi militias offer insights into the movements and their relationship.

Mar 3, 2021

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

The Pope Meets the Ayatollah

The Vatican’s outreach to Iraq is laudable in its goal of decreasing religious violence, but Western officials should be realistic about what engagement with Shia religious leaders can accomplish in the near term.

Mar 3, 2021

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Understanding Iran’s Vast Media Network in Arab Countries

Designating Iranian-linked media outlets can limit their activities, but a more holistic strategy is needed if Washington hopes to effectively counter the regime’s regional propaganda machine.

Mar 2, 2021

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Hamdi Malik

Figure 1: Qais al-Khazali’s interview with iNEWS TV, June 1, 2021.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

In Their Own Words: Senior Leaders Admit to Membership in the Tansiqiya

Qais al-Khazali, Muhammad Mohi, and Nasr al-Shammari have all provided televised prima facie evidence of their groups' involvement in acts of anti-coalition terrorism.

Feb 28, 2021

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Hamdi Malik

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Reframing Libya for a Reluctant Administration

By treating the conflict as a matter of Mediterranean security, President Biden’s team can better assist the new Libyan government and demonstrate its commitment to revitalizing alliances.

Feb 25, 2021

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Ben Fishman

Articles & Testimony

The Other Khashoggis: Dissidents in Danger Across the Middle East

With militia targeting of activists on the rise, Western officials need to name the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and support homegrown democratic movements before they are snuffed out for good.

Feb 25, 2021

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Hanin Ghaddar
Michael Knights

Iran's Majlis head Qalibaf, former defense minister Dehghan

In-Depth Reports

The 2021 Iranian Presidential Election

A Preliminary Assessment

Whoever wins, the result will intimate deeper trends in Iranian society, such as public support for the regime and the Supreme Leader’s intentions for the country’s future.

Feb 23, 2021

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Albert B. Wolf

◆ Sudden Succession Essay Series

MbS, King Salman, Saudi map, fighter jet

In-Depth Reports

Defining a Mature, Balanced Relationship with Saudi Arabia

An Urgent Task for the Biden Administration

A revamped approach to the alliance should stay focused on shared goals, from ensuring a stable oil market to promoting a more tolerant version of Islam at home and abroad.

Feb 22, 2021

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Dennis Ross
Robert Satloff

◆ Transition 2021

Brief Analysis

The Tunisian Jihadist Movement Ten Years After the Prisoner Amnesty

Security issues won’t top Tunisia’s agenda in 2021, but the sheer volume of citizens mobilized into the jihadist milieu over the past decade suggests that the consequences will be felt for years to come.

Feb 19, 2021

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Rocket Attacks on Erbil: Part 2

The U.S. response needs to get more specific, while the KRG and Baghdad need to patch up their urgent security differences and stop entangling them with broader territorial, constitutional, or budgetary issues.

Feb 18, 2021

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah Is Vulnerable. Lokman Slim's Assassination Proves It.

The Biden administration and the French government must draw clear redlines, or the group will escalate its campaign of terror.

Feb 16, 2021

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Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Rockets over Erbil: How to Respond to an Iraqi Militia Outrage

Iran-backed militias took the unprecedented step of rocketing a major city and U.S. base in Iraqi Kurdistan, and the Biden administration must quickly find its own formula for restoring deterrence.

Feb 16, 2021

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Michael Knights

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

“Pylon-Gate”: Reconstruction of a Muqawama Disinformation Operation

The KH-affiliated media group Unit 10,000 planted disinformation about a nonexistent U.S. airstrike, stoked the story, and then tried to remove its fingerprints from the original "fake news."

Feb 12, 2021

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Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Map "Syria's Borders Are Under External Control"

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Assad Regime Has Failed to Restore Full Sovereignty Over Syria

By ceding control of its borders and airspace to various foreign actors, the regime has essentially resigned itself to a limited but potentially durable existence for the long term.

Feb 10, 2021

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Fabrice Balanche

Brief Analysis

How to Use Militia Spotlight

Militia Spotlight provides timely, high-quality evidence, analysis and contextualization of militia activities in Iraq and Syria, both within government agencies and outside them.

Feb 10, 2021

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Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Sets Conditions for Iran to Resume Its Nuclear Commitments

By stating initial terms that he knows Washington will not meet right now, the Supreme Leader is once again signaling his lack of interest in returning to full JCPOA compliance—at least not before President Rouhani leaves office in August.

Feb 8, 2021

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Mehdi Khalaji

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

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Regions & Countries

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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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