Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Articles & Testimony

Why Recep Tayyip Erdogan Will Be Turkey's First Directly Elected President

Erdogan holds several trump cards that make him the unquestioned front-runner in a landmark election.

Aug 7, 2014

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

Gaza Is Not About to Become an Islamic State

The jihadist elements in Gaza are far fewer in number than Hamas members, and they lack the group's deep social roots and capacity for control through governance.

Aug 7, 2014

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Between Democracy and State Collapse: Libya's Uncertain Future

Factional fighting in Tripoli and the declaration of an Islamic emirate in Benghazi suggest a bleak future for Libya. Can the new House of Representatives right the country's course?

Aug 6, 2014

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Andrew Engel

In-Depth Reports

Al-Adl wal-Ihsan

Inside Morocco's Islamist Challenge

Across the Middle East, a critical question for regimes and peoples alike is "Are Islamists rising or fading?" Egypt under President al-Sisi is one story; Iraq and Syria facing the ISIS challenge is another. In Morocco, the banned but highly influential Islamist opposition group al-Adl wal-Ihsan (Justice and Benevolence) is

Aug 5, 2014

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Vish Sakthivel

Articles & Testimony

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi: Islamic State's Driving Force

While the long-term sustainability of the "Islamic State" is in doubt, Baghdadi has clearly steered the group back to prominence.

Jul 30, 2014

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Libya's Other Battle

The escalation in and around Tripoli holds troubling parallels with the tribal divisions that precipitated Libya's bloody 1936 civil war.

Jul 28, 2014

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Andrew Engel
Ayman Grada

Articles & Testimony

Lessons from Fallujah, Then and Now

As ISIS sweeps forward in Iraq, a former tribal and political engagement officer discusses what made Fallujah a success in 2007 and what should be done now.

Jul 26, 2014

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Daniel Green

Brief Analysis

Hamas in Arab Eyes: Few Signs of Revival, Except in West Bank

Poll data and other evidence point to potential openings for promoting a ceasefire that will help the Palestinian people, not Hamas.

Jul 24, 2014

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Tunisia's Security-First Policy at a Crossroads

Unless Western countries provide assistance, the recent violence could unravel the government's progress in stemming terrorist activity.

Jul 23, 2014

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Mohamed Bechri

Video

Brief Analysis

Red Lines: Inside the Battle for Freedom in Syria

Syrian activist Mouaz Mustafa, Andrea Kalin, producer of the new documentary "Red Lines," and Institute Syria expert Andrew Tabler discuss the battle for freedom in Syria.

Jul 22, 2014

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Mouaz Moustafa
Andrea Kalin
Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Whatever Happened to the Egyptian Revolution?

Galal Amin's latest book on Egypt resorts to the unfortunate and simplistic tactic of attributing all domestic problems to foreign enemies.

Jul 22, 2014

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Fresh Challenge to U.S.-Bahrain Relations

The Bahraini government's legal move against the main opposition group escalates its differences with Washington but could also provide an opportunity for diplomacy.

Jul 21, 2014

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Saving Iraqi Turkmens Is a Win-Win-Win

A U.S.-backed effort to save besieged Iraqi Turkmens in the Tuz Khormatu district could bring Baghdad, the Kurds, and Turkey into a joint fight against the ongoing jihadist offensive.

Jul 16, 2014

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

The Islamic State Goes After Morocco's Islamists

By criticizing Morocco's various nonviolent Islamist factions online, ISIS/IS members are attempting to plant the seeds of emboldened violent opposition in the kingdom.

Jul 15, 2014

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Vish Sakthivel

Registered Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Jul 14, 2014

Brief Analysis

Sisi's Egypt and the Gaza Conflict

Washington should not be nostalgic for the days when a Muslim Brotherhood government had greater sway in Gaza City.

Jul 14, 2014

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Countering the ISIS Threat to Jordan

Since last summer the Obama administration has been missing in action as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, conquered much of Syria and Iraq. But as the terrorist organization now turns its sights on the pro-Western Kingdom of Jordan, Washington can no longer ignore its territorial gains

Jul 13, 2014

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David Schenker

Video

The Gaza Crisis: Why Now? What Does it Mean? How Will It End?

Washington Institute experts discuss the current situation in Gaza, Israel's military operation, Palestinian politics, and U.S. policy during this in-depth video presentation.

Jul 11, 2014

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Robert Satloff
Dennis Ross
Michael Herzog
David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

Iraq's Crisis and the KRG

Senior officials from Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government discuss how the ISIS insurgency is affecting the debate over Kurdish independence.

Jul 11, 2014

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Fuad Hussein
Falah Mustafa Bakir

Articles & Testimony

Fallujah Redux

A reformed Iraqi constitution focused on pragmatic politics rather than political theory will provide a surer basis for stability.

Jul 10, 2014

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Daniel Green

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.

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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Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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