Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Protesters hold Syrian and Hezbollah flags

Hezbollah Will Be the Big Winner in Lebanon's Elections

The group has essentially guaranteed itself a victory by coopting opponents and shuffling electoral districts, but the West can still contain the damage by pressing Beirut on economic reforms.

Apr 19, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Video

Brief Analysis

Iraq Goes to the Polls: Progress and Pitfalls

Watch an expert panel preview upcoming Iraqi elections and the possible outcomes for vital American and Iraqi interests.

Apr 19, 2018

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Ranj Alaaldin
Michael Knights
Phillip Smyth
Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

How Erdogan Wins

Turkey will formally begin a new era in June, with the president becoming the ultimate head of state, government, police, army, and the ruling party.

Apr 19, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Libya After Haftar

Given the potentially imminent demise of a key powerbroker, Washington will need to refocus on transition issues in Libya and help the UN implement its action plan.

Apr 18, 2018

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Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

How Iraqi Sovereignty Supports U.S. National Interests

By providing a clear and consistent roadmap for American interests in Iraq and future international support, Washington can help Baghdad steer the country in the right direction after next month's elections.

Apr 17, 2018

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James Jeffrey
Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Saudi-Hosted Arab Summit Balances Reality and Irrelevance

Whatever the summit's outcome, perhaps the most important question for the Arab League's future is when dynamic and confrontational young leaders like MbS will fully take the reins.

Apr 13, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

The Dammam Summit: Testing the Limits of Arab-Israeli Engagement

Although the event's impact on bilateral Arab relations with Israel will likely be minimal, the issues addressed in its resolutions and the way they are framed will indicate how far leaders are willing to go in publicly engaging the state.

Apr 13, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Iran Is Outpacing Assad for Control of Syria's Shia Militias

Although Damascus has sought to maintain a grip over its network of brigades, Tehran is gaining ascendancy and could push more of them to attack U.S. forces or Israel.

Apr 12, 2018

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Phillip Smyth

Brief Analysis

Escalating Tensions in Western Sahara

As the Security Council prepares to vote on extending the peacekeeping mission, a mounting war of words between the conflict's three parties warrants a careful U.S. response.

Apr 11, 2018

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Sarah Feuer

Brief Analysis

Charting a New Course on the Gulf Rift

Washington should boost practical incentives to GCC partners on all sides of the Qatar dispute in an effort to save the Gulf union and U.S. strategic interests tied to it.

Apr 9, 2018

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking

Brief Analysis

The Most Important Speech of the Year in Iran

The Supreme Leader's latest Nowruz speech signaled concern about the regime's political legitimacy while remaining notably silent on the nuclear deal.

Apr 5, 2018

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Turkish-Russian-Iranian Summit: Limits to a Tripartite Entente

Although any attempts at coordinated action will be hampered by historical rivalries and modern disagreements, Moscow and Tehran can still use the Ankara meeting to harm U.S. interests in Syria.

Apr 3, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay
Anna Borshchevskaya
Nader Uskowi

Brief Analysis

Sisi's Reelection and Egypt's Next Political Establishment

The president now has all the time he needs to continue restocking the political system with handpicked youths while snuffing out the opposition for good.

Apr 2, 2018

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Haisam Hassanein

Brief Analysis

Mismanagement Leaves Iran's Economy Vulnerable

Findings from a new IMF report imply that greater U.S. pressure would have considerable impact on the country's shock-prone economy.

Mar 30, 2018

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Patrick Clawson

Video

Brief Analysis

Promoting Political Pluralism in the Middle East

Civil society figures and experts discuss how reform efforts have fared in Morocco, Tunisia, and Iraq, focusing on socioeconomic metrics that are still lagging behind political progress.

Mar 26, 2018

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Aboubakr Jamai
Lobna Jeribi
Oussama Sghaier
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Saudi King-in-Waiting Comes to America

Iran will likely dominate the crown prince's Washington conversations with President Trump and other officials.

Mar 19, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Kurdish Nationalism Needs a New Start

Kurdish leaders should embrace a more pragmatic approach in which they prioritize rather than jeopardize the well-being of their citizens, even if this means accepting something less than formal statehood.

Mar 16, 2018

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Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Iraq's Energy Future Lies to the North

U.S. support for Iraqi oil export projects involving Turkey, the Gulf, and Europe can help keep undue Iranian influence at bay.

Mar 8, 2018

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James Jeffrey
Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Qatar Diplomacy: Unraveling a Complicated Crisis

President Trump's personal intervention to end the split between U.S. Gulf allies will be a major test of his authority—and his patience.

Mar 8, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Tentative Transition:

Civil-Military Relations in Turkey Since the July 15 Uprising

On July 15, 2016, Turkey survived a harsh test to its democracy when it pacified a coup attempt led by the ultrasecretive Gulenist movement. But the episode raised more questions than it resolved. Looking back, how had the Gulenists infiltrated the highest military ranks, thereby allowing the uprising to go

Mar 7, 2018

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Metin Gurcan

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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