Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

The Iranian Deal in Middle Eastern Geopolitics

In recent days, the U.S. Government reshuffled the Middle Eastern deck dramatically, signing a framework agreement with Iran but also buttressing America's traditional regional allies -- supporting the Saudi-led Arab force in Yemen, lifting arms delivery constraints on Egypt, launching air strikes against ISIS in Tikrit after Iran's effort there

Apr 7, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Video

Brief Analysis

Making Sense of Chaos in the Middle East

Multiple Wars, Multiple Alliances

Volcanic changes in the region are under way, with the outbreak of Sunni-Shiite wars in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, unprecedented tension between Washington and Israel, and U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks that appear on the verge of breakthrough. Watch an expert discussion of these challenges and the future of U.S. policy in the region.

Apr 6, 2015

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James Jeffrey
Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

U.S. Policy Toward the Dual Threats to the Arab State

With ISIS and Iran both threatening to upset the state system in the Middle East, Washington needs to adjust its approach accordingly.

Apr 3, 2015

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Khamenei's Silence: Iranian Reactions to the Nuclear Framework

Initial public statements by Iranian officials emphasize that the United States and its partners have accepted an outcome in which Tehran need not change course.

Apr 3, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji
Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

Gulf Fears of Iranian Subversion

The Yemen intervention and other recent actions show how concerned the Gulf states are about the Iranian threat, though an even greater challenge may emerge from their severe tactics against domestic dissent.

Apr 2, 2015

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Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Articles & Testimony

The Patient Preacher: Yusuf al-Qaradawi's Long Game

"Don't stop history! Nobody will be able to fight the divine decrees, nor delay the day when it rises. This world has changed and the world has evolved." Only one week after President Hosni Mubarak's resignation was announced in 2011, Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi delivered those words during a powerful speech

Mar 31, 2015

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Gavi Barnhard

Brief Analysis

Yemen Redux: Reclaiming Stability in the Arabian Peninsula

Although Washington's strategy in Yemen has largely unraveled, U.S. officials have several options for building on the current pan-Arab intervention, bolstering the Hadi government, and addressing the causes of instability in the country.

Mar 30, 2015

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Daniel Green

Articles & Testimony

Uncertain of Obama, Arab States Gear Up for War

A pan-Arab coalition with a patchy record steps up as Yemen falls apart and U.S. policy remains unclear... Read the full article on the Wall Street Journal website.

Mar 29, 2015

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David Schenker
Gilad Wenig

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Yemen Campaign

Cairo's entry into the conflict represents an important opportunity to clarify U.S. policy toward Egypt, improve tense bilateral relations, and bolster Gulf security interests.

Mar 27, 2015

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Assisting the Arab Military Intervention in Yemen

Washington can play a valuable behind-the-scenes role in Operation Decisive Storm, maximizing the chance that U.S. allies can prevent a Houthi takeover.

Mar 27, 2015

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Arabia's Big Gamble

With a new king and a young, untested defense minister, Riyadh has plunged headlong into war in Yemen, with nothing less at stake than the kingdom's leadership of the Arab world.

Mar 26, 2015

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Simon Henderson

Video

Brief Analysis

Outrage but No Action:

The Obama Administration's Response to Syria's 'Caesar Photos'

On March 19, journalists Adam Entous, Michael Isikoff, and Josh Rogin addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute moderated by Cameron Hudson of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The panel was introduced by Andrew Tabler, a senior fellow in the Institute's Program on Arab Politics. The following is

Mar 26, 2015

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Adam Entous
Michael Isikoff
Josh Rogin
Cameron Hudson
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Assad Plays America the Fool...Again

Although the regime does not publicly boast about its crimes, it is just as vicious as ISIS.

Mar 23, 2015

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Oula A. Alrifai

Brief Analysis

The al-Nour Party: A Salafi Partner in the Fight Against Terrorism?

Expressions of support for the Sisi government and against terrorism can be seen as ways to bolster the party's support base and avoid government suppression.

Mar 13, 2015

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Sufism: An Alternative to Extremism?

In the search for alternatives to Islamist extremist ideologies and violence, the traditional and historical Islamic practices of Sufism may offer part of the antidote.

Mar 11, 2015

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Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

Ahead of Egypt Investment Conference, Cautious Optimism for Economic Reforms

At a time when Sisi's subsidy reforms are gaining traction, Washington's withdrawal of support does nothing to advance a human rights agenda and hurts U.S. security interests.

Mar 10, 2015

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Anna Borshchevskaya

A banner of Iran's former Supreme leader Khomeini

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Next Supreme Leader and the Nuclear Deal

In all likelihood, Khamenei's potentially imminent successor will be even more of a hardliner, and he could renege on a deal just as easily as the next U.S. president.

Mar 10, 2015

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Turkey and Egypt's Great Game in the Middle East

Local and regional developments over the past two years suggest that Turkey and Egypt's contentious relationship is unlikely to improve so long as Erdogan and Sisi are in power.

Mar 8, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay
Marc Sievers

In-Depth Reports

Turkey's Kurdish Path

Arab Spring success stories have generally not been easy to come by, yet one may be playing out in a regional non-Arab state, Turkey, where ties between the Turks and their Kurdish adversaries have been improving.

Mar 4, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

How to Retake Mosul from the Islamic State

Does the Iraqi army have the right stuff to win the battle everyone knows is coming -- and handle the messy aftermath?

Feb 27, 2015

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Michael Knights
Michael Pregent

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.

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