Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Tunisia's President Visits the White House

The Obama administration should use the occasion to expand the strategic partnership with Tunis, in part by expediting economic and security assistance that would bolster the country's hard-fought gains in democratization.

May 19, 2015

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Sarah Feuer

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, gestures while speaking

Brief Analysis

Yemen War Heats Up Iran's Anti-Saudi Rhetoric

The Islamic Republic views the Yemen conflict as another battlefield in its proxy struggle with Saudi Arabia, spurring Iranian government, media, and religious figures to open a war of words in recent weeks.

May 18, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Are Muslims Islamists?

Conflating Islam with Islamism has sparked a dangerous discourse in which the majority of Muslims, who are not Islamist, bear the brunt.

May 18, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

A Big Win for Kurds at the White House

The Kurds have made a conscious effort to step back from a damaging feud with the United States over weapons shipments.

May 15, 2015

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

The Saudi Snub

The White House's bottom line for Camp David is to limit public condemnation of the emerging deal with Iran, but the Saudi king's decision not to attend signals persistent Gulf Arab disquiet with U.S. diplomacy.

May 13, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Managing the U.S.-Gulf Disconnect at Camp David

President Obama should give full credence to Gulf perceptions of a direct threat from Tehran.

May 12, 2015

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Brief Analysis

The Implosion of Jordan's Muslim Brotherhood

With help from years of Brotherhood infighting, the Jordanian government has seemingly tamed the group's local chapter, but it may have complicated its fight against domestic Islamist militancy in the process.

May 11, 2015

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David Schenker
Gavi Barnhard

Brief Analysis

Wooing the Gulf States: From Riyadh to Paris to Camp David

This week's Gulf Arab summit in Riyadh and Secretary Kerry's May 8 meeting with GCC foreign ministers in Paris will be crucial to fixing the agenda for next week's Camp David summit.

May 7, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

An Alevi Tide Headed for Turkey's Parliament

The unprecedented influx of Alevi deputies could form a significant anti-AKP bloc in the next legislature, but this development could also hurt the opposition CHP if Alevi deputies act in a sectarian manner.

May 6, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Shift in Saudi Oil Leadership

The latest restructuring in the Saudi hydrocarbon sector could mean new policies for the world's largest oil exporter.

May 5, 2015

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Simon Henderson

In-Depth Reports

Key Elements of a Strategy for the United States in the Middle East

The United States needs to take action to prevent the collapse of the state system in the Middle East and counter the rising influence of both Sunni and Shiite extremists, argues a new strategy report from The Washington Institute. Given the vital role that partnership with Sunni Arab states and

Apr 30, 2015

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Samuel Berger
Stephen Hadley
James Jeffrey
Dennis Ross
Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Riyadh Reshuffle

The appointment of a new crown prince and the promotion of the king's son to deputy crown prince will likely increase tension in the Saudi royal family.

Apr 29, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Why a Houthi Leader Is Buried in Hezbollah's Cemetery

Mohammed Abdel Malik al-Shami's life and death highlight the ongoing challenge posed by Iran's destabilizing posture throughout the region, including in Yemen.

Apr 24, 2015

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

In Jordan, Problems and Politics Are Local

A visit with a Jordanian parliamentarian shows how some local representatives are trying to work around the governance gaps in Amman despite looming concerns about security threats and foreign policy.

Apr 23, 2015

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia's 'Inexperienced Youngster'

As Prince Muhammad bin Salman's proactive approach to regional affairs becomes clearer, the novice defense minister could lead the kingdom to overreach in Yemen.

Apr 21, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Lebanon Continues to Muddle Through

Washington's efforts to increase security assistance are helpful, but Lebanon will remain a priority target for ISIS and other Sunni terrorist groups so long as Hezbollah continues fighting for the Assad regime in Syria.

Apr 13, 2015

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Saudi Arabia's War with the Houthis: Old Borders, New Lines

Heeding fears over Iranian subversion and the security of the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, the United States and other countries have been drawn into a longstanding Saudi-Yemeni dispute whose deep roots may not be fully appreciated.

Apr 9, 2015

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Asher Orkaby

Articles & Testimony

Those Crazy Christians

As the West struggles to navigate Islam's major sectarian cleavage, it can learn from the Ottoman Empire's historical experience with Protestant-Catholic wars.

Apr 9, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

Polarized Arab Reactions to the Iran Nuclear Framework

The Assad regime and Hezbollah back Iran's view of the announced parameters, but most other Arab officials and commentators are openly skeptical.

Apr 9, 2015

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David Pollock

In-Depth Reports

Libya's Civil War:

Rebuilding the Country from the Ground Up

The revolution that toppled the regime of Muammar al-Qadhafi has brought Libya the exact opposite of stability. Since November 2014 alone, almost a half-million Libyans have been displaced, some for the fourth or fifth time. The Islamic State has recently entered the country, intensifying the climate of violent extremism. A

Apr 8, 2015

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Andrew Engel

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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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.

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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

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