Great Power Competition

Policy Analysis on Great Power Competition

Russia’s Yes Vote on Syria Aid Will Come With a Price

Moscow’s willingness to approve another UN extension has more to do with advancing normalization between Turkey and the Assad regime than helping Syrian civilians, who will remain hostage to Russian demands if nothing is done before the next vote this summer.

Jan 11, 2023

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Andrew J. Tabler

Israeli prime minister Natanyahu and U.S. president Biden in Jerusalem in 2021 - Source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu’s Potential Friction Points with Biden (Part 2): Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, and Domestic Issues

The prime minister will need a great deal of U.S. military and diplomatic assistance to achieve his foreign policy imperatives—a fact he should not forget when mulling potentially divisive moves at home.

Jan 10, 2023

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David Makovsky

Boys carry bread as they walk along a street in Jaramana, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Will the Russian Intervention in Ukraine End Humanitarian Assistance for Syrians?

Changing geopolitical dynamics and upcoming international decisions have the potential to make Syria's humanitarian crisis worse than ever.

Jan 6, 2023

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Mahmood Alhosain
Jonas Ecke

Russian President Putin and Iranian President Raisi meet in Tehran in 2022 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Making Iran’s Support for Russia More Costly

To foster doubts about the wisdom of deepening the relationship, Washington should stoke longstanding Iranian skepticism toward Russia and work with Europe to sanction additional entities involved in the drone program.

Jan 5, 2023

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Henry Rome

Fikra Forum

Exploring Russia's Views on Humanitarian Aid in Syria

With the UN Security Council set to vote on whether to extend UN cross-border aid efforts into northwest Syria, Russia is once again poised to jeopardize humanitarian assistance to the 4.1 million civilians who rely on this lifeline to survive.

Jan 4, 2023

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Jonathan Robinson

Israeli Prime Minister meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

What Is the New Israeli Government’s China Policy?

As Netanyahu promotes widened economic relations with Beijing, he must remain mindful of how his predecessors weighed Washington's deep strategic concerns about national security and technology.

Jan 3, 2023

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Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

Deepening Russia-Iran Relationship Should Worry Israel

The Kremlin will have many ways to thank Iran for supporting its war against Ukraine.

Dec 28, 2022

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Nadav Pollak

Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.

Brief Analysis

Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip

His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.

Dec 22, 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

Fikra Forum

New Egyptian Opinion Poll: Continued Dissatisfaction with Government Performance, Almost Half Reject Mass Protests, and Mixed Views on Foreign Relations

The most recent poll results from Egypt suggest a disconnect between public opinion and pubic policy, especially on economic concerns and relations with Israel.

Dec 21, 2022

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon durnig a meeting with Russian President Vladimor Putin in Rihady - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Saudi Prisoner Diplomacy During the Ukraine War

Washington and Riyadh once again seem unable to keep their misunderstandings private, but the Saudi crown prince has proven his ability to mediate certain U.S.-Russian disputes if called on.

Dec 20, 2022

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Bennett Neuhoff

Fikra Forum

New UAE Poll Shows Nuance on Domestic Issues; Growing Public Uncertainty over U.S. Relations; Split Views of Iran & Israel

Although many results are consistent with past polling, the most recent Emirati survey reveals interesting perspectives on Iran, the economy, and other issues.

Dec 20, 2022

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Catherine Cleveland

Fikra Forum

New Lebanon Opinion Poll Shows Continued Internal Dissatisfaction and Desire for International Partners

Lebanese respondents expressed positive views of the maritime deal and World Cup in Qatar, but seemed disappointed by almost everything else.

Dec 20, 2022

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Frances McDonough

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll: Some Surprises on the U.S., Iran, Israel, Oil, and More

Saudis voiced their thoughts on global partners, internal dynamics, and regional issues, including opinions on the Iranian protests and nuclear dilemma.

Dec 16, 2022

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David Pollock

U.S. and Algerian flags at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers - source: U.S. government

Brief Analysis

Bolstering U.S.-Algeria Relations Amid the Africa Leaders Summit

At a time when Algerian military cooperation with Russia is growing and African counterterrorism challenges are proliferating, Washington cannot afford to take the relationship for granted.

Dec 15, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg

Articles & Testimony

Navigating China’s Security Presence in the Middle East and North Africa

Regional governments will continue to balance between Beijing and Washington, so policymakers should focus on tipping the scale in America’s favor, countering the narrative of U.S. withdrawal, and avoiding unnecessary escalation with China.

Winter 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber

Articles & Testimony

Are the Saudis Reconsidering Their Nuclear Posture?

Various historical and recent factors suggest that the nuclear dimension of Gulf politics is again in flux amid a deepening world energy crisis.

Dec 12, 2022

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Simon Henderson

Turkish president Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels

Fikra Forum

Sweden, Turkey, and the Concessions for NATO Membership

Turkey's refusal to approve Sweden's NATO membership is yet another foreign policy tool being used by Erdoğan ahead of 2023 elections.

Dec 9, 2022

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Magnus Norell

Fikra Forum

The Regional Impact of Iran’s Drones in Ukraine

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine foreshadows potentially dangerous developments for U.S. forces and their allies in the Middle East.

Dec 7, 2022

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Omar Alradad

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East in a Multipolar Era: Why America’s Allies Are Flirting With Russia and China

Because many states are eschewing both alignment with a single great power and nonalignment, the best U.S. response to this “omni-alignment” is creating more tailored opportunities for high-value cooperation with Washington.

Dec 7, 2022

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Michael Singh

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi meets Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in Riyadh

Brief Analysis

What Saudi Arabia Wants from President Xi’s Visit

China is already one of the kingdom’s major commercial partners and a significant supplier of military and nuclear technology, but Riyadh wants more of each.

Dec 6, 2022

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Simon Henderson
Carol Silber

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 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

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