Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Prospects appear bleak for the Palestinian Authority and its leader, Mahmoud Abbas: a stalled peace process with Israel, a failed reconciliation effort with its rival Hamas, and historically low trust from Palestinian constituents. These dynamics add urgency to the Palestinian succession question, which has grown in prominence given Abbas's advanced

Oct 26, 2015

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Youth and Silent Protest in Egypt

Frustrated youths largely boycotted the first phase of the parliamentary elections, and tensions could once again boil over unless political elites put aside their personal interests and commit to achieving the goals of the 2011 revolution.

Oct 23, 2015

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Brief Analysis

The U.S.-PYD-Turkey Puzzle

Sustaining U.S. and Turkish assistance to the Syrian Kurds is crucial to blocking ISIS and stemming Russian influence, as is resolving Ankara's Kurdish problems at home, but sending heavy weapons to the PYD would likely have unintended consequences.

Oct 23, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

New Saudi Poll Shows Iran, Russia, United States, and ISIS Are All Unpopular; Mixed Views on Others

Recent survey results reveal the nuances in Saudi public opinion on a wide variety of pressing regional issues, and the role of foreign powers in resolving them.

Oct 22, 2015

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Royal Schism in the House of Saud

Persistent reports of royal disquiet about the role of the king's favored son indicate that a showdown between rival factions may be imminent.

Oct 16, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Egypt's New Elections Formula to Yield Familiar Results

Given the latest redistricting efforts and the absence of major Islamist opposition, the upcoming vote is set to produce a throwback parliament that is largely beholden to the president's camp.

Oct 16, 2015

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

How Do Egypt's Salafists Comment on Politics?

Faced with government bans on political mosque sermons and overtly religious political campaigning, Salafi leaders will likely disseminate their views through a network of social media, television stations, and periodicals.

Oct 16, 2015

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Public Negative on All Regional Players -- Except Itself

A new poll indicates approval for Cairo's recent policies but little interest in religious reform, and very strong opposition toward players such as ISIS, Iran, Russia, the United States, and Qatar.

Oct 15, 2015

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Israel-GCC Ties Twenty-Five Years After the First Gulf War

Although broader public relations between Israel and the Gulf states have yet to take off, many of their economic, intelligence, and diplomatic ties are already at cruising altitude.

Oct 14, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Most Important Nobel Winner You've Never Heard Of

The Nobel Committee rightfully recognized the strong civil society institutions that mediated Tunisia's difficult political transition at a time when other regional states were falling into chaos.

Oct 13, 2015

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Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

Fall of the Brotherhood, Rise of the Salafis

Comparing the recent rhetoric, actions, and outreach styles of Muslim Brothers and Salafis provides insight into their current reversals of fortune.

Oct 11, 2015

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Jordan's Public Dislikes Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and ISIS -- but Wants to Stay Out of Syria

Recent polling results suggest that King Abdullah's low-profile policy toward Syria is well calculated to keep him out of trouble.

Oct 9, 2015

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

The AKP's New Face: Assessing the September Board Vote Ahead of November's Elections

The new governing board has fewer young members, fewer women, and more old-guard members with close ties to President Erdogan, who is betting that this alignment will help the party regain its legislative majority next month.

Oct 8, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay
Cem Yolbulan
Angelica Kilinc

Articles & Testimony

Russia Pursues a New Baghdad Pact

Putin's latest Middle Eastern moves are aimed not so much at expanding his front line of tensions with the West, but rather at making a deal by proving that he has acquired a lot of cards in the region.

Oct 8, 2015

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Ehud Yaari

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Syria's Kurds Are Contemplating an Aleppo Alliance with Assad and Russia

The PYD will not hesitate to cooperate with Damascus and Moscow in the north if Turkey and the United States continue prohibiting the unification of Kurdish enclaves.

Oct 7, 2015

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Fabrice Balanche

Articles & Testimony

Putin and the Shiite 'Axis of Resistance'

The resurgence of the Shiite axis was made possible in part by the absence of a credible U.S. policy in Syria, and it will only be bolstered if Washington embraces Russia and Iran as regional security partners.

Oct 7, 2015

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Best Bad Idea for America in Syria

As Russia, Iran, and Assad fight to carve out their future spheres of influence in Syria, Washington needs to help its Sunni allies establish their own spheres and retake eastern territory from ISIS and al-Qaeda.

Oct 5, 2015

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Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Iran's Majlis Unlikely to Settle Internal Dispute on the Nuclear Deal

The release of a special-committee report to the Majlis will be seized on by hardliners, who will continue to voice their opposition even in the probable event implementation goes forward.

Oct 2, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Iran's Iraqi Shiite Proxies Increase Their Deployment to Syria

Recent online activities show that various Iranian-backed Iraqi Shiite militias have greatly expanded their recruitment efforts in support of the Assad regime, including numerous reports of significant battlefield action.

Oct 2, 2015

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Phillip Smyth

Articles & Testimony

Dismissal of Algerian Intelligence Chief: A New Phase in Algerian History?

General Toufik's departure could end the contest of wills between the intelligence and political leadership, but Algeria's democratic transition will likely remain on the back burner amid dire economic and security concerns.

Oct 2, 2015

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Yacine Boudhane

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

Issues

Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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