Democracy & Reform

Policy Analysis on Democracy & Reform

New Saudi Statement on Khashoggi’s Killing: Policy Response

Riyadh’s shifting, dubious storyline presents a dilemma for allies who want to reestablish good working relations with the world’s largest oil exporter.

Nov 15, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Video

Brief Analysis

Do U.S. Actions Affect Iranian Policy?

A veteran U.S. policymaker and two notable Iranian expatriates look back at forty years of fraught relations, discussing ways to advance American interests and reduce bilateral antagonism without letting human rights issues lapse.

Nov 15, 2018

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Stuart Eizenstat
Mehrangiz Kar
Mehdi Khalaji

Video

Brief Analysis

New Data on Iraqi Political Trends:

Parsing the Regional Implications

Watch an in-depth conversation with Iraqi experts who share and assess surprising new polling results about Iraqi public opinion.

Nov 8, 2018

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Munqith Dagher
Ahmed Ali
David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

Egypt and Washington: Challenges in the Sisi Era

Two experts discuss how Washington can balance its sometimes conflicting interests in Egyptian security and human rights.

Nov 7, 2018

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Barak Barfi
Michele Dunne

Brief Analysis

New Governments in Iraq and Kurdistan: A Trip Report

Four experts who recently returned from Baghdad and Erbil report on the results of the government formation process.

Nov 6, 2018

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Kenneth Pollack
Nussaibah Younis
Michael Knights
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Iran Intensifying Its Crackdown on Citizens Abroad

The regime is once again targeting dissidents in Europe and arresting dual nationals, giving Washington and the EU common cause to sanction senior Iranian officials.

Nov 2, 2018

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

How France and Italy’s Rivalry Is Hurting Libya

The upcoming Palermo conference should be used to facilitate UN-led dialogue between Libyan groups, not to score points in a European diplomatic spat.

Oct 31, 2018

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Federica Saini Fasanotti
Ben Fishman

Brief Analysis

Tunisia’s Female Jihadists

An unprecedented attack by a female bomber should not come as a surprise considering the spike in women’s jihadist activism since 2011.

Oct 31, 2018

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Must Impose a Price on Saudis, But One With a Clear Purpose

Rather than limiting itself to half-measures, Washington should suspend the delivery of offensive weapons and take other steps that convince Riyadh to change the way it operates.

Oct 30, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Economy Is Stagnating Even Before New U.S. Sanctions Hit

The impact of imminent sanctions will be magnified by the economy’s recent struggles, and Tehran’s bad financial policies will only make matters worse.

Oct 29, 2018

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

A Window of Opportunity Has Just Opened in Iraq. Will the U.S. Act?

The triumvirate of leaders to emerge from this year’s elections are strongly associated with nonsectarian, pragmatic government.

Oct 27, 2018

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Bilal Wahab

A banner of Iran's former Supreme leader Khomeini

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Anti-Western ‘Blueprint’ for the Next Fifty Years

Khamenei’s latest guidelines for Iranian culture and governance focus on resisting any efforts to reform the regime’s decisionmaking tendencies.

Oct 24, 2018

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

What Does Khashoggi’s Murder Tell Us About the Saudi Power Structure?

The prospect of MbS ruling for decades was once thought to portend stability for the kingdom, but that judgment now seems premature.

Oct 22, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Why Does Hezbollah Want Lebanon’s Health Ministry?

Iran’s economic problems have reportedly decreased the flow of financial patronage to the group, forcing it to seek another slush fund at home.

Oct 19, 2018

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Khashoggi Case Could Be Death of U.S.-Saudi Friendship

The crisis casts doubt on whether Western officials can continue excusing the crown prince’s domestic authoritarianism.

Oct 15, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Arabia’s Ruler Should Understand That the Ends Don’t Justify the Means

Invoking the Magnitsky Act would send a clear signal that some actions are irreconcilable with global norms and Riyadh’s own transformative vision.

Oct 11, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Journalist’s Disappearance Developing Into Diplomatic Mess

Rumors of murder squads, jet identification numbers, and other ominous details will likely exacerbate regional rivalries.

Oct 9, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

The Worrisome Mystery of a Saudi Journalist’s Whereabouts

If Riyadh did in fact order Khashoggi’s detention, it may be miscalculating the likely negative impact on U.S. diplomacy and Western investment.

Oct 3, 2018

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

One Down, Two to Go: Iraq’s New Government Shaping Up

An abrupt realignment of partners has moved the government formation process forward, but the next step could be messy, given intra-Kurdish feuding.

Sep 21, 2018

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Bilal Wahab
Barbara A. Leaf

Brief Analysis

The Smart Way to Sanction Iranian-Backed Militias in Iraq

Timing is everything, so Washington should coordinate its designations with Baghdad to avoid upsetting the government formation process or throwing Iran a lifeline.

Sep 17, 2018

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Michael Knights
Barbara A. Leaf
Matthew Levitt
Phillip Smyth

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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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