Policy Analysis

With Secretary of State Rex Tillerson now in Kuwait to support its mediating role in a severe intra-Arab crisis, an analysis of that country's unusual political and social dynamics is particularly timely. Relative to its neighbors, Kuwait is indeed a sort of middle ground in terms of several key issues

A discussion of what's at stake in the region, how to evaluate the situation, and the roles of Israel and Iran.

Although Rouhani is a skillful politician who convinced the Iranian leadership to go along with the nuclear deal, he likely will not be in a position to wield similar influence over his country's regional activities.

Reenergized and more-targeted maritime interdiction operations could reduce Iranian support for the Houthis while helping respond to Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

Risks include a burgeoning jihadist insurgency in areas retaken from the group more than two years ago, including Diyala province, where Iran-backed militias have exacerbated matters by engaging in collective punishment.

Israelis must recognize that the American aid that has deterred major wars since 1973 is not automatic, and U.S. Jews are instrumental in securing it.

A sensible approach would entail cooperation where U.S. and Russian interests converge, such as on proliferation, terrorism, and drugs, and management where they differ, such as on Iran.

The Hashemite Kingdom, known for its effectiveness in fighting terrorism, illustrates how a country can manage jihadists at home without needing to eradicate them.

The Hashemite Kingdom, known for its effectiveness in fighting terrorism, illustrates how a country can manage jihadists at home without needing to eradicate them.

The Turkish president is taking steps to end democracy itself in Turkey, further polarizing an already sharply divided country.

In the Egyptian capital, the Sisi government frees a billionaire imprisoned for a sensational murder, for reasons only known to itself.

Because Erdogan's approach delegitimizes all opposition, 40 million of the country's 80 million inhabitants are left on the outside, a recipe for national social upheaval not seen since the late 1970s.

Closer examination reveals that far more refugees are leaving Syria than coming home and that security and corruption represent major obstacles to their return.

In recent years, U.S. assistance has played a significant role in bringing Tunisia through its darker moments and helped it sustain a complex transition.

Whatever the two leaders discuss at the G20 summit, the Trump administration must work urgently to develop a new Syria strategy that articulates a clear vision for the country's future and the U.S. readiness to protect it.

A dramatic response by Qatar could entail an appeal to the UN Security Council or, more dangerously, an attempt to play its military cards, both of which would carry risks for the United States.

Given recent frictions, the United States should take a number of steps to reduce the potential for escalation with Tehran and to avoid a broader conflict.

July 5, 2017 Iran is creating and reinforcing power centers for its allied forces by implementing its policies across a geographic area that extends from the western borders of Iraq to the shores of the Mediterranean. It is also creating provisional Shiite cells in Sunni Arab regions by employing paramilitary

Incidents in the town of al-Awamiyah are creating headaches for the Saudi leadership and adding to regional tensions.

July 5, 2017 Iraqi Kurdistan has finally set September 25 as the date for an independence referendum. After Mosul fell to the Islamic State (IS) in 2014, Masoud Barzani announced that the region will hold a referendum on independence, as Iraq has already essentially partitioned. Barzani renewed his call for