Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

The New Great Game: How Regional Powers Are Carving Up Syria

Recognizing the various spheres of influence in Syria and working with its neighbors to stabilize each piece of the puzzle could be a vital first step toward putting it back together again.

Aug 11, 2015

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Who Is Steering the House of Saud?

Beset by ISIS attacks, a war in Yemen, and growing worries over Iranian influence, the new Saudi leadership appears adrift.

Aug 10, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iran's Security Concerns and Legal Controversies Over the Nuclear Deal

The Supreme Leader has remained noncommittal as usual while politicians argue about the approval process, but his hardline cadres are publicly insisting that the deal will threaten Iran's national security, damage its regional standing, and increase the risk of armed confrontation.

Aug 5, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Shiite Combat Casualties Show the Depth of Iran's Involvement in Syria

In addition to Qods Force supervision of Shiite fighters from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and other countries, the IRGC is deploying more of its own Ground Forces personnel to Syria in direct combat roles.

Aug 3, 2015

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Ali Alfoneh

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Durable Misery: Why Sisi's Regime Is Stable

Despite the risk of instability posed by ongoing violence, the government's anti-Brotherhood focus is still a political winner and will likely remain so for some time.

Jul 21, 2015

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah's Growing Domestic Woes

Favorable poll numbers aside, Hezbollah's adventure in Syria is raising concerns among the group's Lebanese Shiite constituency.

Jul 21, 2015

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Khamenei vs. Rouhani: Projecting Very Different Views on the Nuclear Deal

The Supreme Leader's initial reaction has sent discouraging signals about Iran's willingness to comply with its commitments in the long term.

Jul 16, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Tunisia's Fragile Democratic Transition

The government can move past the recent terrorist attacks and other struggles, but not if it falls back on arbitrary arrests, opaque investigations, or other tactics that failed during the Ben Ali era.

Jul 14, 2015

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

The Nuclear Deal May Weaken Rouhani

The agreement is a significant achievement for Rouhani, but the hardliners are already moving to ensure that it does not empower him during his remaining time in office, in line with their previous efforts to downplay the negotiations and separate them from nonnuclear issues.

Jul 14, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Egyptian Assassinations and Islamist Escalation

Following the latest high-profile assassination, tensions between Islamists and the state will likely continue to escalate, with the judiciary looming large in both the government's response and further Islamist plots.

Jul 2, 2015

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Mohammed Soliman

Brief Analysis

Abbas Targets Key Palestinian Officials

The recent actions taken against Salam Fayyad and Yasser Abed Rabbo raise broader systemic concerns about PA governance and leadership.

Jul 2, 2015

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Evolving Salafi Bloc: Puritanism and Pragmatism in an Unstable Region

A survival instinct and backing from foreign governments are among the factors that can trump ideology in guiding Salafi parties' actions.

Jun 30, 2015

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Farewell, President Demirel

Among many distinctions, the former leader had a sharp mind and wit, and a passion for U.S.-Turkish ties.

Jun 27, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

The Price of Aljazeera's Politics

The network's leadership has manipulated the truth and revealed itself as a mouthpiece for extremism, rather than providing a much-needed forum for the region's many independent voices.

Jun 26, 2015

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Mohamed Fahmy

Brief Analysis

Forming a New Palestinian Government: Challenges and Opportunities

If handled right, the seemingly imminent transition could help address concerns about over-centralization of power and stalled reconstruction, but early signs point to continued internal bickering.

Jun 25, 2015

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Ghaith al-Omari

Maps & Graphics

Infographic: Egypt's SCAF Leadership

A who's who of the top brass in Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.

Jun 22, 2015

Brief Analysis

Turkey's Political Scene Post-Election (Part 1): The AKP-CHP Option

A governing alliance bringing together the country's two largest parties could end an era of polarization, but would not be free of challenges.

Jun 22, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

In-Depth Reports

Fatah Central Committee Profiles

These twenty-three profiles detail the personal background, political trajectory, and career aspirations of the members of Fatah's Central Committee.

Jun 19, 2015

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Adam Rasgon

Brief Analysis

Syria's Druze Under Threat

Recent attacks on the Syrian Druze community threaten to further roil sectarian tensions, radicalize Druze elements, and potentially draw Israel into the civil war.

Jun 17, 2015

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Noam Raydan
Matthew Levitt

In-Depth Reports

Post-Jasmine Tunisia

One of the more dramatic Arab Spring plotlines has been the rapid turn of fortune for Islamist movements throughout the region. If the tumult of 2011 initially paved the way for Islamist parties to assume power in places like Tunisia, Egypt, and Morocco, by 2014 the pendulum had swung decidedly

Jun 10, 2015

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Sarah Feuer

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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