Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Egyptian president Sisi is sworn in to a second term in Parliament in 2018.

Egypt’s New Parliament: Reopening Political Life, But Only So Far

Giving the legislature a makeover is Cairo’s latest bid to ease public frustrations, but will a token opposition be enough to keep socioeconomic tensions from boiling over?

Jan 26, 2021

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Humanitarian Aid and the Biden Administration: Lessons from Yemen and Syria

Veteran NGO practitioners with deep experience in the aid sector discuss how Washington can help fix flawed approaches to assisting civilians in these two conflict zones.

Jan 25, 2021

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Jan Egeland
Alex Harper
Emma Beals
Jomana Qaddour
Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

Riots Erupt in Tunisia

Growing unrest in the birthplace of the Arab Spring could translate into serious instability for the young democracy, with potential repercussions beyond its borders.

Jan 22, 2021

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Sarah Feuer

Brief Analysis

Egypt Endorses Gulf Reconciliation But Remains Skeptical

Although officials are playing along in order to maintain good ties with Saudi Arabia, they seem convinced that Qatar will exploit the new agreement in ways that harm Cairo's political and security interests at home.

Jan 14, 2021

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Haisam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

The End of the Gulf Crisis Is Big News—But Middle East Sands Always Shift

The rift’s closure, while quite welcome, won’t produce instant Gulf unity or make the Iran nuclear issue any easier to solve.

Jan 5, 2021

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Jordan Must Be Included in Future Israeli-Arab Normalization Deals

One of the most reliable strategic allies in the region has been taken for granted, so the Biden administration will need to steer more diplomatic attention and economic support Amman’s way.

Jan 3, 2021

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Ben Fishman

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Sentencing of Women’s Activist Sets Up Riyadh for a Clash with Biden

The topic of human rights has become a red line for Saudi leaders, who seem to perceive it as a purely domestic matter on which they will not countenance any foreign pressure.

Dec 28, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Putin, Charlie Hebdo, and Free Speech

As the Kremlin continues to undermine Western values, institutions, and influence while expressing distorted views of counterterrorism, liberals would do well to keep defending liberalism.

Dec 21, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

In-Depth Reports

Promoting Women's Economic Activity in Jordan

Low women's employment in Jordan is perplexing given the kingdom's middle-class attributes. Creativity in U.S. development initiatives could deliver lasting gains.

Dec 17, 2020

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Allison Jacobs Anderson

Articles & Testimony

Yemen Policy From the Inside Out

The conflict continues because none of the local parties is strong enough to win, weak enough to lose, or incentivized toward peace, but the Biden administration can do something about the latter problem.

Dec 15, 2020

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Elana DeLozier

Brief Analysis

Reform, Not Violence, Will Ease Iraqi Kurdish Protests

In addition to publicly condemning the violent repression of demonstrations, Washington should urge its Kurdish allies to stop stalling on economic reforms at home and budget negotiations with Baghdad.

Dec 10, 2020

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Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah Has Created Parallel Financial and Welfare Systems to Manage the Current Crisis

To contain corrupt actors and facilitate reform, the international community must provide alternatives to Hezbollah pharmaceutical and food programs while filling gaps that the group is unable to address.

Dec 9, 2020

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Should Take a Strategic View Towards Iraq

The country need not be a top foreign policy priority, but the Biden administration would be wise to invest in Iraqi security, unity, and democracy amid competition with Russia, China, and Iran.

Dec 8, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

Is OPEC Finally Beginning to Unravel?

Drastically lowered revenues, changing energy markets, political squabbling, and a new U.S. administration may eventually break the cartel’s cyclical status quo.

Dec 4, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Turkey's Opposition vs. the AKP: Measuring Messaging

Challengers to Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are proliferating, with two breakaway parties drawing particular notice. In December 2019, Ahmet Davutoglu, who served under Erdogan as foreign minister and then prime minister, formed Gelecek (Future) in an attempt to resurrect a gentler version of the Justice and Development Party (AKP)

Dec 4, 2020

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Soner Cagaptay
Reilly Barry

Brief Analysis

Washington Pushes to End the Qatar Rift

Successful diplomacy could enhance Arab normalization with Israel and boost U.S. efforts to counter Iran, but it is unclear if Riyadh wants to bargain now or wait for Joe Biden.

Dec 1, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Forecasting U.S.-UAE Relations Under the New Biden Administration

From addressing Iranian threats to mending rifts with Qatar and Turkey, the sound bilateral partnership on regional issues will likely thrive in the Biden era, albeit with some marginal adjustments by both governments.

Dec 1, 2020

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David Pollock

In-Depth Reports

Iran's 2021 Presidential Vote and the Tightening of Regime Control

Joe Biden's victory in America may herald a measure of de-escalation with Iran, but the Supreme Leader is unlikely to be moved. Ayatollah Khamenei does not really distinguish between Democratic and Republican intentions—after all, he agreed to a nuclear deal with the Obama administration only to see President Trump tear

Nov 23, 2020

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia Faces Summit Scrutiny

The virtual G20 meeting in Riyadh will be watched closely for insights on the kingdom’s royal politics at home and its standing abroad.

Nov 20, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Cairo’s Concerns About a Biden Presidency

Egyptian leaders fear that his administration will openly confront them on human rights and enable an Islamist resurgence, but the outlook is brighter for engagement on Turkey, Israel, and other issues.

Nov 18, 2020

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Haisam Hassanein

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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