Great Power Competition

Policy Analysis on Great Power Competition

Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia

Can Biden Convince Saudis to See the Western Position on Russia?

Improving U.S. relations with Riyadh is the only way to shift the Saudi stance toward Russia—failing that, Biden’s trip is unlikely to yield a strategic success.

Jun 28, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Turkish president Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels

Brief Analysis

What Biden Faces with Erdogan at the NATO Summit

The Turkish leader has been trying to leverage Sweden and Finland’s accession to weaken international support for the YPG in Syria, but he may be content with symbolic concessions that boost his reelection chances.

Jun 28, 2022

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Soner Cagaptay

Fikra Forum

NATO Membership for Sweden: Between Turkey and the Kurds

With the NATO summit approaching, Sweden is now caught between Turkey’s demands and its own complicated domestic politics.

Jun 27, 2022

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Magnus Norell

Articles & Testimony

The Facts on What’s Behind Our Energy Crunch and High Gas Prices

An expert untangles the many factors driving energy costs amid complications such as the Ukraine crisis, U.S.-Saudi diplomacy, and the green debate.

Jun 24, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Turkish official Hulusi Akar with Somali soldier

In-Depth Reports

Turkish Influence in Sub-Saharan Africa

Trade volume has soared and projects like the development of Sudan’s Suakin Port have drawn notice, but Ankara faces economic headwinds in its bid to keep the momentum going.

Jun 23, 2022

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Soner Cagaptay
Spencer Cook
Amal Soukkarieh

A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker in the Persian Gulf - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Reflagging Ships Could Be the Answer to Russia's Blockade of Black Sea Ports

Such an option could limit the risk of escalation, pressure Russia, and help avert a humanitarian crisis in the Middle East.

Jun 2, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Garrett I. Campbell

Book cover with U.S. and Egyptian soldiers taking part in Bright Star exercise

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

The U.S.-Egypt Military Relationship:

Complexities, Contradictions, and Challenges

Shared security interests, such as maintaining and expanding Arab-Israel peace efforts, can serve as the foundation of future ties.

May 23, 2022

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David Witty

Palestians on a Mediterranean beach in Gaza

Articles & Testimony

Shifting East Mediterranean Tides: From Conflict to Club Med?

Although the worst-case scenarios of just a few years ago are in abeyance, the best-case ones of transformative cooperation are also still out of reach.

May 2022

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

The Impact of Russia’s Ukraine Invasion in the Middle East and North Africa

A former Pentagon advisor testifies on how the war might affect Moscow's ability to sell arms to MENA governments and project power in the region.

May 18, 2022

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Grant Rumley

Articles & Testimony

Is the West Losing the Battle of Narratives in the Middle East?

Instead of leaving misinformation and whataboutism largely unchallenged, Washington and its allies need to express their perspective to Arab audiences more effectively while highlighting Russian and Chinese hypocrisy.

May 9, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Catherine Cleveland

In-Depth Reports

Countering Iran's Regional Strategy

A Long-Term, Comprehensive Approach

A coordinated response to Iran’s aggression can preserve U.S. and Western interests, reinforce Israel and America’s Arab allies, and promote regional stability.

May 8, 2022

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Eyal Zamir

Articles & Testimony

We Can’t Face Down Putin Alone

Some potential allies in the Middle East may not be democracies, but they're not revisionist states either, so the United States cannot afford to write them off.

May 6, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Arab Approval of UAE, Bahrain Peace with Israel

Video

Brief Analysis

New Arab Polls on Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and China: Analysis and Implications

Three public opinion experts discuss what March and April surveys in key states reveal about local attitudes toward U.S. policy.

May 3, 2022

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David Pollock
Catherine Cleveland
Munqith Dagher

Ukrainian soldiers pose with a captured Russian military vehicle - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Russia’s Move on Ukraine Polls Poorly in Arab Gulf

Most Saudi, Emirati, and Kuwaiti citizens appear to oppose Putin’s invasion, but their dim views of Washington’s reliability may limit the region’s willingness to counter Moscow.

Apr 30, 2022

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Global Food Insecurity:

Why Putin’s Battle for Ukrainian Farmland Is So Dangerous

In the Middle East, rising prices combined with growing populations could stir social unrest, as occurred during the Arab Spring period.

Apr 28, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Video

Brief Analysis

Decoding the "Riddle, Mystery, and Enigma" of Russia and the Emerging New World Order

Two veteran diplomats discuss what implications the Ukraine war holds for multilateral institutions, international law, and the global order they aim to uphold.

Apr 27, 2022

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Dennis Ross
Paula Dobriansky

A Turkish Bayraktor UAV on display at an airshow - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Turkey's Lethal Weapon

From Ukraine to Syria, drones are reshaping Erdogan’s foreign policy.

Apr 27, 2022

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Soner Cagaptay
Rich Outzen

Brief Analysis

French-Turkish Relations: Foes to Friends?

The Ukraine war has greatly boosted their diplomatic and military cooperation, but lingering friction over Syria, Libya, and Mediterranean issues will need to be handled carefully if this rapprochement is to endure.

Apr 20, 2022

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Louis Dugit-Gros
Pierre Morcos
Soner Cagaptay

Pakistani men watch a televised address by Prime Minister Imran Khan on March 31, 2022 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Clock Runs Out on Imran Khan as Pakistan’s Prime Minister

Things to watch going forward include Islamabad’s relationship with traditional cash source Saudi Arabia and its geopolitical posture toward Iran and Afghanistan.

Apr 11, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Israeli Minister of Defense Benny Gantz - source: Israeli Ministry of Defense

Video

Brief Analysis

Defense Minister Benny Gantz Discusses Israel's Strategic Challenges

The country's top defense official shares his insights on recent terrorist attacks, the Iran nuclear talks, the Ukraine war, expanding cooperation with regional countries, and more.

Apr 11, 2022

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Benny Gantz

Supported by the

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East focuses on the region as a setting for heightened competition between the United States and other world powers, such as China and Russia.

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Featured experts

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Anna Borshchevskaya

Anna Borshchevskaya is a senior fellow at The Washington Institute, focusing on Russia's policy toward the Middle East.

Grant Rumley

Grant Rumley is the Meisel-Goldberger Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he specializes in military and security affairs in the Middle East.

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Great Power Competition

Policy Analysis on Great Power Competition

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Great Power Competition

Policy Analysis on Great Power Competition

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

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Featured experts