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Democracy & Reform

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Iron Dome rockets intercepting Hamas missiles over Tel Aviv
Articles & Testimony
How War With the Palestinians Triggered Ethnic Violence in Israel
In mixed towns across the country, Arab and Jewish citizens have turned on one another, with substantial implications for the government formation process and other issues.
May 13, 2021
◆
  • Neri Zilber
Brief Analysis
Bahrain’s Interlocking Regional and Domestic Tensions
Manama is still grappling with the complex challenge of developing ties with Israel while coping with homegrown Shia militancy.
May 10, 2021
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Kawader
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Distinguishing Kawader Hezbollah al-Qudama and Kataib Hezbollah
Nouri al-Maliki is gathering various Iraqi resistance figures who fought both Saddam and the coalition, but this marginal "old timer" party is not the same as Kataib Hezbollah, which has yet to show its hand in parliamentary politics.
May 6, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Israeli politicians Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett
Brief Analysis
Can the Change Coalition End Israel’s Endless Election Cycle?
The diverse coalition may be able to form a viable government, but it will need to navigate carefully in light of internal political differences and Netanyahu’s presence in the opposition as a potential spoiler.
May 6, 2021
◆
  • David Makovsky
Brief Analysis
Rehabilitating Assad: The Arab League Embraces a Pariah
Parochial interests and war fatigue are driving many member states to support premature elections and normalization with Damascus, but this approach will only consolidate Assad’s control and help him evade accountability for war crimes.
May 4, 2021
◆
  • David Schenker
KSS flag
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada
A U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization that emerged from Iraq's Kataib Hezbollah, works directly with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and has a transnational focus on the shared regional agenda of Iran's "axis of resistance."
May 3, 2021
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  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Natanz
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How Iran Employed Iraq's Muqawama in Its Post-Natanz Response
Militias falsely claimed attacks against Israeli and U.S. targets in retaliation for the nuclear incident, underlining how Tehran directs and coordinates each proxy's kinetic and information operations in a centralized manner.
May 3, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
◆ Militia Spotlight
The artist Jacques-Louis David's painting "Napoleon Crossing the Alps"
Brief Analysis
The Rise of “Bonapartism” in Iran
Interest in a strong military president is growing in unexpected sectors, but such an outcome is more likely to strengthen Khamenei’s power than drastically reform the system.
Apr 30, 2021
◆
  • Mehdi Khalaji
TSS
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Sharia Youth Gathering
The Sharia Youth Gathering is an umbrella movement of social service, cultural, sports, and scouting organizations that is effectively controlled by Kataib Hezbollah through a cadre of linked commanders.
Apr 29, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Scout
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Imam Hussein Scout Association
The Imam Hussein Scout Association is Kataib Hezbollah’s youth organization and an affiliate of Lebanese Hezbollah's Kishaf al-Imam al-Mahdi youth movement.
Apr 29, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
  • Crispin Smith
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif
Brief Analysis
The Zarif Tape: Revelations on Russia, the Qods Force, and Iran’s Election
​​​​​​​The foreign minister had much to say about the IRGC branch’s political interference at home and close relations with Moscow, and the regime has done nothing to dispute his account so far.
Apr 29, 2021
◆
  • Mehdi Khalaji
AAH leader
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Asaib Ahl al-Haq
Asaib Ahl al-Haq is a major Iraqi armed group that identifies as part of Iran's axis of resistance but stubbornly maintains a degree of independence, forming numerous cells to conduct kinetic, media, and social operations, some bankrolled by the Iraqi state.
Apr 27, 2021
◆
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Fatemyoun squad
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Fatemiyoun Electronic Squad
Fatemiyoun Electronic Squad is a facade group that undertakes cyberattacks on behalf of Kataib Hezbollah, in close collaboration with other affiliates.
Apr 26, 2021
◆
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Video
Brief Analysis
Foreign Fighters and U.S. Policy: Tracking Mobilization Hubs to Stem the Flow
By examining the growth of such hubs during the Islamic State’s caliphate years, two experts assess how the international community can limit recruitment in these areas and address local grievances.
Apr 26, 2021
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  • Nate Rosenblatt
  • Naureen Chowdhury Fink
◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series
Unit 10K img
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Profile: Unit 10,000
Unit 10,000 is Kataib Hezbollah's premier online facade group, specializing in the publication of resistance propaganda and the development of "electronic armies" capable of hacking, information operations, and open-source intelligence gathering.
Apr 25, 2021
◆
  • Crispin Smith
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight: Profiles
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech
Articles & Testimony
​Biden Recognizing the Armenian Genocide Shows How Far Turkey and Erdogan Have Fallen
For the first time in years, Erdogan needs the United States more than Washington needs him, so Biden is seizing the opportunity.
Apr 24, 2021
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Video
Brief Analysis
The Economic Future of Northeast Syria
Experts discuss the humanitarian, trade, and security measures that are necessary to stabilizing the northeast and preventing the Islamic State and Assad from extending their harmful influence there.
Apr 23, 2021
◆
  • Jennifer Cafarella
  • Sasha Ghosh-Siminoff
  • Kenneth R. Rosen
Video
Brief Analysis
Can Erdogan Charm Biden?
An expert conversation on the pitfalls and potential areas of cooperation between Washington and Ankara in the coming years.
Apr 21, 2021
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
  • Asli Aydintasbas
  • Max Hoffman
  • Jenny White
Articles & Testimony
Can New Tech Save Iraq’s Old Economy?
In recalibrating its relationship with Baghdad, the Biden administration should consider how it can encourage the evolution of the country’s nascent cyber economy.
Apr 20, 2021
◆
  • Bilal Wahab
  • Michael Rubin
A jockey and horse at a race in Iran
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Underground Las Vegas
From pop stars to porn stars to bitcoins, the rise of online gambling sites in Iran is raising eyebrows—as well as questions about whether the IRGC and other regime organs are benefitting from the scandalous new industry.
Apr 16, 2021
◆
  • Arash Aalaei

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Supported by the

Project Fikra: Defeating Extremism through the Power of Ideas

Fikra n. [Arabic] "Idea"

The Washington Institute's Project Fikra is a multiyear program of research, publication, and network-building designed to generate policy ideas for promoting positive change and countering the spread of extremism in the Middle East.

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Featured experts

Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland
Catherine Cleveland is The Washington Institute's Croft-Wagner Family Senior Fellow and managing editor of Fikra Forum.
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman
Ben Fishman is the Steven D. Levy Senior Fellow in the Linda and Tony Rubin Program on Arab Politics at The Washington Institute, where he focuses on North Africa.
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