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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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An Iranian soccer fan protests at a World Cup game in Qatar - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Team Melli vs. Team USA: Iran’s Game of Contradictions
The regime’s often-hypocritical handling of this year’s World Cup comes to a head with a matchup against the United States, and a political victory seems unattainable regardless of the results on the field.
Nov 29, 2022
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  • Mehdi Khalaji
Lieutenant General Asim Munir, newly appointed as the new Chief Of Army Staff of Pakistan, meets with President Arif Alvi in Islamabad - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Pakistan’s New Military Leader and the Gulf
For U.S. and Gulf officials alike, the appointment of a potential military dictator in the world’s only nuclear-armed Islamic state bears close watching.
Nov 28, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Articles & Testimony
Saving Iraqi Sovereignty: Iran, Turkey and a Fractured Homeland
There are ways for the new prime minister to reinforce Iraq’s independence after a series of foreign attacks, but they will be complex and painful.
Nov 27, 2022
◆
  • Bilal Wahab
Saudi Fans
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Saudi Arabia’s Surprise Soccer Victory
The Saudi men’s team’s major upset against Argentina in their opening World Cup match has brought together many Saudis and the Arab world writ large in celebration, demonstrating the powerful pull of the game.
Nov 23, 2022
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  • Faris Almaari
Palestians on a Mediterranean beach in Gaza
Brief Analysis
Changing Population Patterns Will Reshape the Middle East
Several of the region’s demographic heavyweights will be surpassed, and major shifts at the global level may affect how great powers vie for influence there as well.
Nov 22, 2022
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  • Patrick Clawson
Iraq parliament
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The System and the Parallel System in Iraq
Instead of blaming the untested constitution for government failures, Iraqi politicians must look inward to the corrupt parallel system that undermines national politics.
Nov 22, 2022
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  • Bjar Sharif
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Iranian Protests and Attacks on KRI: An Attempt to Deflect from Domestic Turmoil
Iran's repeated attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq represent the regime's efforts to both distract from internal opposition and disrupt external opposition support.
Nov 21, 2022
◆
  • Nawras Jaff
New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the first regular session of the Council of Ministers in Baghdad in November 2022 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Who Is Mohammed Shia al-Sudani?
A closer look at the new prime minister’s political career, past affiliations, and key cabinet picks as he attempts to balance relations with pro-Iran groups and wary U.S. officials.
Nov 18, 2022
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  • May Kadow
  • Erik Yavorsky
Qatari and Saudi soccer players in the 2014 Gulf Cup final game - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Gulf Rivalries and the Qatar World Cup
Nearly two years after Gulf neighbors put a splint on their diplomatic fracture with Doha, persistent tensions and historic quarrels will form a major part of the competition’s backdrop.
Nov 17, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
President Joe Biden waves from the steps of Air Force One - source: White House photo
Brief Analysis
Biden Heads to Egypt Amid Economic Protests and Libyan Gridlock
Although climate issues will by definition headline the latest COP summit, Egypt’s human rights record, simmering protest movement, and questionable policies in neighboring Libya will provide plenty of additional fodder for Biden’s discussions with Sisi.
Nov 10, 2022
◆
  • David Schenker
  • Ben Fishman
Gezi Park Protests
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Re-evaluating Turkish Nationalism: A Bulwark Against the Religious Establishment
While the past few decades saw a dip in any political references to Turkey’s founder, opposition groups and the AKP alike have returned to Atatürk as a key political symbol of nationalism ahead of the elections.
Nov 10, 2022
◆
  • M. Bahadırhan Dinçaslan
Arab Spring Tunisia Yemen Bahrain Egypt Libya Syria
Brief Analysis
The Sectarian Shadow Over Bahrain’s Election
The results will indicate how the Sunni government is managing its majority Shia citizenry.
Nov 10, 2022
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Middle East Map
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
In 2022 Polls, Views on U.S. Relations On Par with Other World Powers in the Middle East
Regional polls from March and August reveal shifting power dynamics, as economic conditions and relations with Israel continue to weigh on citizens’ minds.
Nov 9, 2022
◆
  • Frances McDonough
Mohammed Shia Sudani
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Formation of Iraq’s New Government is a Major Victory for Iran and Its Allies
Although framed as a government of solidarity between Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish factions, the Sudani government in Iraq gives Iran a significant arena in which to wield its influence.
Nov 8, 2022
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  • Nawzad Shukri
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
MbS and Saudi Arabia’s Israel Policy: What Can We Expect from the New Prime Minister?
As Prime Minister, MbS won't throw out the Arab Peace Initiative altogether, but he will likely reframe it.
Nov 7, 2022
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  • Aziz Alghashian
Map of U.S. Army operations in Operation Torch, 1942 - source: U.S. Army
Articles & Testimony
From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: Events 80 Years Ago Made the Modern Middle East
The second week of November 1942 has much to tell us about the region’s geopolitical centrality, its enduring political currents, and its role in the future of the Jewish people—not to mention the evolution of American foreign policy.
Nov 6, 2022
◆
  • Robert Satloff
New Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani attends the first regular session of the Council of Ministers in Baghdad in November 2022 - source: Reuters
Brief Analysis
Buying Time in Baghdad? What to Expect from Sudani’s Government
The hostile and corrupt forces arrayed behind him might ease their anti-American activities just to reassert their power at home, so Washington should make the new government’s honeymoon a short one—and work around it if necessary to help the Iraqi people.
Nov 3, 2022
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  • Bilal Wahab
AAMedia
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Building Media Cooperation Between Abraham Accords Countries
For the Abraham Accords to be truly successful, cooperation between member countries must necessarily extend to partnerships of more accurate and far-reaching media sources.
Nov 3, 2022
◆
  • Najat AlSaied
US Army soldiers meet local civilians in Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942 - source: U.S. Army
Video
Brief Analysis
From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: The Most Important Forgotten Week in Modern Middle East History
Watch an expert conversation on the pivotal week in WWII whose events continue to shape the modern Middle East.
November 7, 2022
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  • Mehnaz Afridi
  • Aomar Boum
  • Martin Cüppers
  • Haim Saadoun
Lebanon Flag
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Legacy of Lebanon’s October Revolution
Although the results of the October 2019 protests and the May 2022 elections brought hope to many Lebanese desperate for change, entrenched political deadlock and dysfunction are as bad as ever.
Nov 3, 2022
◆
  • Ibrahim Karkouti

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Program on Arab Politics

The Washington Institute's 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

Ghaith al-Omari
Ghaith al-Omari
Ghaith al-Omari is a 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 Fellow at The Washington Institute's Geduld Program on Arab Politics, where she focuses on Shia politics throughout the Levant.
Mehdi Khalaji
Mehdi Khalaji
Mehdi Khalaji, a Qom-trained Shiite theologian, is the Libitzky Family Fellow at The Washington Institute.
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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