Arab & Islamic Politics

Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Many options for direct military action in Syria have been on the table, ranging from token strikes with small numbers of weapons to much broader operations such as attacks on leadership targets or the imposition of no-fly and no-drive zones. In addition, the United States could respond indirectly by providing

Sep 5, 2013

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Jeffrey White
Andrew J. Tabler
Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Helping the Dust Settle: Why Washington Cannot Cut Aid to Egypt

Cutting aid to Egypt would only hurt U.S. interests there without helping democracy, stability, or any other cause.

Sep 5, 2013

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Unexpected Iranian Dispute on Syria

President Rouhani seems determined to maintain his influence over Iran's foreign policy, signaling a potential showdown with hardliners over continued support for the Assad regime.

Sep 4, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Attacking Syria Is the Best Way to Deal with Iran

Achieving U.S. objectives in Syria would help pressure Tehran into making hard choices regarding both the Assad regime and the Iranian nuclear program.

Sep 4, 2013

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Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Inside the Complex World of U.S. Military Assistance to Egypt

Under current conditions, suspending military assistance to Cairo would be counterproductive for U.S. interests and contractors alike.

Sep 4, 2013

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, and Beyond

The former presidential advisor on Syria discusses the regional and strategic implications of Hezbollah's role in the ongoing civil war, as well as the scope of its militant and terrorist activities.

Sep 3, 2013

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Frederic Hof

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

Hizbollah Determined to Stick with Assad, but It's a Disastrous Policy

The group's backing of the Syrian regime has led to significant losses on the battlefield and rapidly diminishing support among the Lebanese people.

Sep 3, 2013

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Linking Targets to Political Objectives in Syria

If the United States strikes, it needs to choose targets and weapon systems based on a strategic plan that is well explained to the world.

Aug 30, 2013

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Chandler Atwood
Michael Knights

Video

Brief Analysis

Beyond the Redline: U.S. Opportunities with Syria's Armed Opposition

Experts discuss the nature and capabilities of Syria's various rebel groups and assess U.S. options for shifting the strategic landscape beyond punitive strikes.

Aug 30, 2013

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Andrew J. Tabler
Jeffrey White
Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

Egypt's Political Transition on Track

With the transition plan forging ahead after recent turbulence, Egypt's focus has turned to the upcoming constitutional referendum, which will be followed by parliamentary and presidential elections that may favor emerging centrist movement al-Tayyar al-Hor.

Aug 29, 2013

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Adel El-Adawy

Articles & Testimony

Tough Times for Hezbollah

In this excerpt from his new book on Hezbollah, Matthew Levitt discusses how destabilizing activities in Syria and ongoing money problems have hurt the group.

Aug 29, 2013

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

Tunisia Designates Ansar al-Sharia

Despite its longstanding reputation as a pro-extremist faction, Tunisia's governing an-Nahda party may finally be breaking with the radical fringe.

Aug 28, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Vish Sakthivel

Articles & Testimony

If Bombs Hit Damascus, Israel Looks to Tehran

Israelis are debating how potential Syria strikes would affect the prospects of U.S. action in Iran.

Aug 28, 2013

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Hizb Allah's Gambit in Syria

The war in Syria has exposed the group's true strategic interests, which it has sought to secure through heavy involvement in the fighting.

Aug 27, 2013

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Matthew Levitt
Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Syria as a Spoiler in Iran's Foreign Policy

If Tehran continues its unwavering support for the Syrian regime, it could dash President Rouhani's hopes of reducing Western pressure on Iran.

Aug 27, 2013

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

Forget the Red Line and Engage in Syria

There is ample justification for intervention in Syria once U.S. strategic interests are factored into the equation, regardless of the chemical red line.

Aug 25, 2013

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David Schenker

Who's Who in the Syrian Regime?

Published in conjunction with PolicyWatch 2122, this graphic depicts the hierarchical structure of the Syrian regime.

Aug 23, 2013

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Grace Abuhamad
Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

All the Tyrant's Men: Chipping Away at the Assad Regime's Core

The regime's cadres have held together through two years of war, and they will likely continue doing so unless Washington and its allies present them with a stark choice: leave and live, or stay and die.

Aug 23, 2013

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Grace Abuhamad
Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Polarized International Reactions to Syrian Chemical Attack

The chemical weapons massacre in Damascus has mobilized Assad's foreign opponents, giving the United States a new reason and new partners for a more serious response.

Aug 22, 2013

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Turkey's Ergenekon Convictions: Impact on U.S. Relations

The United States has serious business to do with Turkey, all of which remains doable despite the troublesome verdicts against top military officials.

Aug 22, 2013

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James Jeffrey

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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Policy Analysis on Arab & Islamic Politics

Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics

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