Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Roots of the Rift between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan's PUK

The tensions between Turkey and the PUK are not new, though recent actions by both sides have exacerbated the situation despite shared economic interests.

Apr 28, 2023

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Mehmet Alaca

Fikra Forum

Sadr’s Withdrawal and the New Splinter Group of Ashab al-Qadiya

By suspending the Sadrist Movements activities, Sadr hopes to prevent the growth of a new Mahdist splinter group that threatens his religious and political credibility.

Apr 28, 2023

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Haider al-Musawi

Video

Articles & Testimony

Middle East Matters: Back to Normal? The Region Reaches Out to Assad

Two experts discuss why Arab governments are increasingly normalizing with the Syrian regime and what consequences this may hold for U.S. policy.

Apr 25, 2023

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Andrew J. Tabler
Ahed al-Hendi

◆ Middle East Matters

A Sudanese protester against military rule

Brief Analysis

The Fighting in Sudan Threatens Peace Efforts with Israel

Even if another civil war is averted, the delay in signing a peace agreement has provided room for the rise of political factions that oppose further relations with Israel.

Apr 21, 2023

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Ehud Yaari

Fikra Forum

Preserving the Unity of Lebanon by Federating Its Political System

Lebanon is going through unprecedented circumstances that require joint engagement among all communities to find permanent solutions that ensure peace, prosperity, and unity for the country.

Apr 20, 2023

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Joe W. Issa-El-Khoury

Articles & Testimony

Twenty Years After the War, Iraq Needs U.S. Support

Much like the Iraqi people are doing, the United States should turn the page on history, engaging on ideas that foster prosperity and enable the relationship’s long-term success.

Apr 19, 2023

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Bilal Wahab

Candidates Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Kemal Kilicdarolgu, May 2023 Turkish elections

In-Depth Reports

Turkey's Pivotal 2023 Elections:

Issues, Potential Outcomes, and What Comes After

Opinion polls offer hope for the challengers, but Erdogan's media control and other factors could foil their efforts to finally topple the president and his ruling bloc.

Apr 19, 2023

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Soner Cagaptay

Fikra Forum

Can the Turkish Opposition’s Refugee Policies Actually Improve Syrians’ Situations?

With elections approaching, the Turkish opposition may have an opportunity to rethink Syrian refugee policies.

Apr 10, 2023

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Joshua Levkowitz

Twitter posts from Lebanese users commenting on Hamas rocket strikes launched from Lebanon on Israel - source: Twitter

Brief Analysis

Lebanese Social Media Reactions to Rocket Strikes on Israel

A sampling of posts suggests fears of another catastrophic war, increased public questioning of Hezbollah as a “resistance” movement, and anger toward its cooperation with Iran in compromising Lebanon’s sovereignty.

Apr 7, 2023

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Erik Yavorsky
Faris Almaari

Articles & Testimony

Don’t Throw Good Arab Money After Bad in Syria

The Gulf states have their own reasons for reaching out to Assad, but they need to understand that Washington will not exempt them from most of its multilayered Syria sanctions without substantial change in the regime’s posture.

Apr 7, 2023

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Andrew J. Tabler

Photo of an oil facility in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Fikra Forum

KRG Oil and the Slipping Dream of Financial Independence

Following the ICC's decision, the KRG has limited options in its fight for financial independence from Baghdad.

Apr 6, 2023

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Nawras Jaff

Fikra Forum

Surging Violence: Hamas Attempts to Reshape the West Bank’s Political Landscape

With an opportunity to subtly expand its influence in the West Bank, Hamas is less likely to risk an all-out war with Israel from Gaza as they did in 2021.

Apr 5, 2023

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Nasser Khdour

Articles & Testimony

The Rise and Fall of Kurdish Power in Iraq

Despite thirty years of landmark achievements, the KRG’s endless quest for economic independence has only entrenched its internal divisions and kleptocracy while shifting its dependency—from Iraq to Turkey, and from foreign aid to oil revenues.

Spring 2023

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Bilal Wahab

UAE President Muhammad bin Zayed - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

UAE President Appoints Son as Crown Prince

A series of rapid announcements has indicated the Emirati leader’s vision for the future of Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.

Mar 31, 2023

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Simon Henderson

Clerics gather in a bi-annual meeting of Iran's Assembly of Experts - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Inside Iran’s Regime (Part 2): The Clerical Crisis

In a climate where many clerics are unhappy about their situation and some are losing faith in the Islamic Republic, the purported minutes of a recent regime meeting show how the problem may evolve as domestic unrest continues.

Mar 29, 2023

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Mehdi Khalaji

Fires burn after the August 2020 port explosion in Beirut - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The Lebanon Human Rights Report: Punting on Accountability?

The country can’t escape its downward spiral without full accountability, so pulling punches in annual U.S. reports serves neither Washington nor the Lebanese people.

Mar 28, 2023

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David Schenker

A page from a supposedly leaked Iranian document

Brief Analysis

Inside Iran’s Regime (Part 1): Growing Fissures and Poor Morale in the IRGC?

A recently leaked document—if genuine—may indicate substantial internal skepticism toward the regime’s handling of the current domestic crisis, and perhaps even pressure for limited reforms.

Mar 28, 2023

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Patrick Clawson

Brief Analysis

Planning Beyond a Baghdad-Kurdistan Budget Deal

Iraq’s bloated 2023 budget has created space for the Kurds to get a share of the wealth this year, but preparing for the next leap to permanent solutions is more important.

Mar 24, 2023

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Michael Knights

A man watches Russian president Vladimir Putin speak on television in the Crimean city of Simferopol - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Russia’s Disinformation Machine Has a Middle East Advantage

The region has been most receptive to Moscow’s war narrative, which Russian state-run media outlets have been permitted to spread far and wide with no Ukrainian or Western counter-narrative.

Mar 23, 2023

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Screenshot of The Washington Institute's Islamic State interactive map

Maps & Graphics

Articles & Testimony

Introducing the Islamic State Select Worldwide Activity Map

This multimedia tool -- easily the most comprehensive of its kind -- provides a novel, accessible way to understand the Islamic State’s global reach and activities. Beyond a traditional focus on attacks, find content from Islamic State media, designations, and legal cases.

Mar 21, 2023

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Aaron Y. Zelin

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.

David Pollock

David Pollock is the Bernstein Fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on regional political dynamics and related issues.

Bilal Wahab

Bilal Wahab is the Nathan and Esther K. Wagner Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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