Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Congress, Don't Meet with the Muslim Brotherhood

The refined appearance of Amr Darrag, who served as minister of international cooperation in the Morsi government, belies his extremist views.

Sep 13, 2017

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

16 Years after 9/11, Our Patriotism Remains 'Uninformed'

An approach to jihadism rooted in "informed patriotism," a concept introduced by Ronald Reagan, would likely be more realistic and successful than one rooted in absolutism.

Sep 11, 2017

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Jacob Olidort

Brief Analysis

The Kuwaiti Emir Visits Washington

In addition to addressing the Qatar crisis and other regional challenges, this week's bilateral meetings promise to focus on how the United States and Kuwait can expand their economic ties and CT cooperation.

Sep 6, 2017

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Articles & Testimony

Of Hats, Jackets, and Turkish Politics

Just as cabinet members once followed Ataturk's sartorial lead, AKP officials today robe themselves in the casual blue tartan suit favored by President Erdogan.

Sep 4, 2017

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Soner Cagaptay
Oya Aktas

Articles & Testimony

Turkey's Complicated Relationship with the Middle East, Explained by One Word

The Eid holiday highlights Turkey's almost complete lack of allies in the Middle East.

Sep 2, 2017

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Soner Cagaptay
Nick Danforth

Brief Analysis

Is Turkey's Rapprochement with Iran and Russia Sustainable?

A lasting Turkish shift toward Tehran and Moscow would require a perfect storm, but anti-U.S. sentiments in the country offer reason for concern.

Aug 30, 2017

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Ideology Outweighs Diplomacy in Iran's Hajj Decision

For Islamic Republic leaders, the benefits of allowing the pilgrimage to proceed transcended the risks of appearing soft in their confrontation with the Saudis.

Aug 28, 2017

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Free Trade Zone in the Context of Growing Russia-Egypt Ties

The agriculture and military sectors of both countries stand to benefit from an agreement, even if the zone will not be an overall economic success.

Aug 25, 2017

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Terrorism in Europe: The Moroccan Connection

The prominence of Moroccan expatriates among the perpetrators of high-profile attacks contrasts with the kingdom's relative success in containing its own domestic jihadism threat.

Aug 24, 2017

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Sarah Feuer
David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Trump's Afghanistan Policy and the Gulf

The new U.S. strategy, predicated on a changed approach to Pakistan, will need the support of Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE to succeed.

Aug 23, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Killings Fray Jordan-Israel Ties

Both countries appreciate the benefits of the bilateral relationship, but the longer the crisis continues, the more problematic quiet coordination will become.

Aug 23, 2017

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Is War in Gaza Unavoidable?

A deal brokered by exiled Fatah leader Mohammad Dahlan may have fended off a war this summer, but it raises the likelihood of conflict in the future.

Aug 22, 2017

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Ghaith al-Omari
Grant Rumley

Articles & Testimony

The Muslim Brotherhood's Fatal Mistake

A widening rift within the group can be traced to the misguided view that it could elude the government's repression.

Aug 21, 2017

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

On Libya Policy, Trump Defers to Europe

Rather than leaving the job to Europe, Washington can articulate a clear Libya policy at the September UN General Assembly meeting, thereby making a political deal more likely to achieve and enforce.

Aug 21, 2017

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Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Murmurs of a Second Cultural Revolution

Gathering IRGC frustrations over liberal domestic trends could eventually prompt dramatic intervention, with troubling regional consequences for the United States and its allies.

Aug 21, 2017

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Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Qatar's Domestic Stability and the Gulf Crisis

The Saudi- and UAE-led coalition could be overestimating the prospects for change in Doha.

Aug 18, 2017

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David B. Roberts

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

The Race for Deir al-Zour Province

The SDF and U.S.-supported Arab fighters likely lack the might and unity to overcome Assad-regime advances and other obstacles.

Aug 17, 2017

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Fabrice Balanche

Brief Analysis

Rouhani's Road Already Taken

The second-term Iranian president has failed to deliver on campaign promises, and the Supreme Leader is fortifying his hardline backers.

Aug 16, 2017

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Mehdi Khalaji

Turkish president Erdogan - Source: Reuters

Turkey Has Lost Its Biggest Cheerleader: The U.S. Military

A discussion of Ankara's strained relationship with the European Union, its a la carte approach to NATO, and the weakening of formerly solid U.S.-Turkey military-to-military ties.

Aug 4, 2017

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Soner Cagaptay

Video

Brief Analysis

In the Warlords' Shadow

Embracing New Strategies to Fight the War on Terror

Watch an expert conversation about the fight against Taliban forces in Afghanistan and the lessons for battles against extremists elsewhere in the region.

Aug 4, 2017

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John Allen
Daniel Green

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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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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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Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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