Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Prominent Saudi Columnist Notes Arab Support for Israeli Strike on Hezbollah

Greater Sunni acceptance of Israel as a regional power, however grudging and conditional, may give Washington more room to pursue longstanding peace goals.

Feb 18, 2015

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Marc Sievers

Video

The Islamic State: A Video Introduction

How did the so-called Islamic State (IS) originate? What are its goals? What is the scale of its recruitment in Europe and elsewhere? As the United States leads a coalition to thwart military advances by IS – also known as ISIS, ISIL, and Daesh – Institute Richard Borow Fellow Aaron

Feb 16, 2015

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Assessing the Strategic Threat from ISIS

A serious alliance against ISIS built on Sunni Arab states and Turkey cannot hold together over the long term without a more forceful U.S. policy toward the Syrian regime.

Feb 12, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

The Islamic State's Expansion in Libya

While some debate the group's true extent in Libya, ISIS has aggressively expanded its physical and media presence to intimidate its foes, coopt other jihadist groups, and attract recruits.

Feb 11, 2015

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Andrew Engel

Brief Analysis

Gaza Reconstruction Stalled by Fatah-Hamas Deadlock

Despite international complaints about inadequate donor funding, Fatah and Hamas have been dragging their feet on the most important prerequisite for rebuilding Gaza: establishing PA governmental control on the ground.

Feb 9, 2015

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

How to Judge Putin's Trip to Egypt

The visit will give the Kremlin a chance to increase its reach in Egypt while signaling to the West that Putin remains an influential world leader.

Feb 6, 2015

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

The Composting of ISIS: Let it Rot

Even more than the murder of American and Japanese hostages, the Islamic State's horrific immolation of a fellow Muslim will backfire on the group.

Feb 4, 2015

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Nuclear Nuances of Saudi-Pakistan Meeting

Tuesday's meeting in Riyadh between King Salman and Pakistan's top military commander will revive speculation of a secret nuclear agreement to counter any Iranian nuclear threat.

Feb 3, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Is 2015 the Year the Palestinians Internationalize the Conflict with Israel?

The PA's current approach consists of relying on international support against Israel and waiting for Hamas to weaken in Gaza, but neither tactic is bearing fruit thus far.

Feb 3, 2015

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David Makovsky

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

The Shiite Jihad in Syria and Its Regional Effects

This study documents the highly organized geostrategic effort by Iran to use a global network of Shiite proxy groups to salvage the Assad regime's crumbling military position in the early years of the Syrian Civil War.

Feb 2, 2015

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Phillip Smyth

Brief Analysis

Yemen's Zaidis: A Window for Iranian Influence

The receptiveness that many Yemeni Shiite leaders have shown toward Iran's foreign policy and religious practice give Tehran a ready means to expand its reach in Yemen.

Feb 2, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Princely Personalities Sidelined in Saudi Arabia

The latest shakeup among Saudi decisionmakers will require Washington to work on new relationships in Riyadh and perhaps reconfirm understandings reached at Tuesday's summit.

Jan 30, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East's Next Nuclear Power?

In the face of stiff opposition and ongoing economic and security challenges, Jordan may delay its decision on building nuclear reactors for now, but energy shortages could force its hand in the longer term.

Jan 28, 2015

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Why Egyptians Don't Want Another Revolution

For the moment at least, many Egyptians have become so fearful of change that they are content to live with their broken state, which they view as preferable to further collapse.

Jan 26, 2015

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Eric Trager

Protesters hold Syrian and Hezbollah flags

Brief Analysis

'Uncoordinated Deconfliction' in Syria: A Recipe to Contain, Not Defeat, ISIS

If Washington continues to bomb ISIS while sidestepping the question of Assad's future, Syria may wind up partitioned between jihadist and Iranian-backed forces.

Jan 26, 2015

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

The Dangers of Saudi Succession

Riyadh is entering unknown territory with its succession system at a time when threats and distractions have sprung up on multiple fronts.

Jan 26, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Riyadh Rendezvous: Obama to Meet with New Saudi King

The length of the meeting and the names of the Saudi officials in attendance will reveal as much as any government communique or briefing on what subjects were discussed.

Jan 26, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

What to Expect from Syria Peace Talks in Moscow

While the talks are unlikely to produce immediate results, Moscow could use them to gain leverage to shape its preferred outcome in Syria.

Jan 23, 2015

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah's Limited Options After Israeli Strike

With its Lebanese Shiite constituency increasingly vulnerable, its Iranian patron hobbled by other commitments, and its regional reputation in tatters, Hezbollah will likely think twice before responding forcefully to the Quneitra attack.

Jan 23, 2015

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David Schenker

In-Depth Reports

The Long Haul:

Rebooting U.S. Security Cooperation in Iraq

The challenge posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has created some strange dynamics, among them the shared interest of the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran in "degrading and defeating" the Sunni jihadist group. But this shared interest should not be viewed as an

Jan 22, 2015

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Michael Knights

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

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