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Operating in the Gray Zone:

Zohar Palti

Countering Iran's Asymmetric Way of War

The targeted killing of IRGC Qods Force commander Qasem Soleimani marked the dramatic culmination of several months of U.S. tensions

Jan 7, 2020

Israel Likely Headed to Another Election: Outlining the Political Battle Ahead

Michael Eisenstadt

Recent Institute Analysis

One Small Handshake for the United States, One Giant Leap for U.S.-Saudi Relations

President Biden has a powerful moral imperative for ending his feud with the crown prince: to ensure that the kingdom’s gradual pivot away from extremism doesn’t falter.

Jun 29, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Following Prime Minister Bennett’s resignation, an expert assesses the coalition’s prospects of finding a more viable configuration—and Netanyahu’s chances of completing his return to power.

Jun 24, 2022

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

David Makovsky

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

Engaging the Saudis Does Not Require Biden to Forego Our Concern for Human Rights

Simon Henderson

Vice President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia

The president will still be able to set boundaries with Riyadh—while also addressing other major issues such as national security, rampant energy costs, and normalization with Israel.

Jun 22, 2022

Fixing Washington’s Gulf Rift

Dennis Ross

Ships of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet on exercise in the Persian Gulf

From Abu Dhabi and Riyadh’s perspective, there is no substitute for an American partner with the will to militarily deter or answer Iran’s regional aggression.

Jun 21, 2022

David Schenker

New Publication

Drawing of oil pipeline, Iraq, Kurdistan

Maps & Graphics

The Necessary U.S. Role in Fixing the Baghdad-Kurdistan Energy Dispute

A targeted intervention could aid American interests and the global effort to find a substitute for Russian and Iranian oil and gas.

Jun 27, 2022

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Michael Knights

Webcast Series: The KRG at 30

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq

On the anniversary of the Kurdish region’s first election, three experts take stock of the bilateral relationship and internal political and economic challenges.

May 23, 2022

Bilal Wahab
Amberin Zaman
Vance Serchuk

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq (Part 2)

In the second of three discussions marking the thirty-year anniversary of the KRG, experts spotlight the impressive U.S.-Kurdish legacy along with current challenges facing the partnership.

Jun 9, 2022

Jennifer Gavito
Qubad Talabani
Bilal Wahab

Photo of an oil facility in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The KRG Turns Thirty: The Future of U.S.-Kurdish Relations in Iraq (Part 3)

Three experts evaluate the KRG’s oil and gas industry and discuss the growing urgency of resolving its disputes with Baghdad.

Jun 28, 2022

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

James Jeffrey
Matthew Amitrano
Bilal Wahab

In Focus: The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East

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

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

Jun 2, 2022

Egyptians Oppose Russia's Move on Ukraine, yet Half Still Value Ties to Moscow

Anna Borshchevskaya
Garrett I. Campbell

Fikra Forum

A recent poll indicates that Egyptians see ties with Moscow as more important than ties with the U.S., despite opposition for Putin's war in Ukraine.

May 3, 2022

David Pollock

Top Seven Things You Need to Know About Ukraine

A video explainer on the war’s causes, Putin’s mindset, and the likely consequences if the West does not check his imperial ambitions.

Mar 2, 2022

Why Putin’s Battle for Ukrainian Farmland Is So Dangerous

Anna Borshchevskaya

Global Food Insecurity:

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

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

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

The Russian Propaganda in Arabic Hidden from the West

Russian narratives are increasingly suffusing Arabic social media depictions of the war in Ukraine.

Apr 18, 2022

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Nadia Oweidat

In Focus: Iran's Arabic Propaganda

Iran's Arabic media sites and personalities in Arab countries

Maps & Graphics

The Revolution Will Be Televised in Arabic:

Iran's Media Infrastructure Abroad

An umbrella entity, the Islamic Radio and Television Union, encompasses more than two hundred media groups stretching from Oman to East Africa.

Jun 30, 2022

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Hamdi Malik

Recent Webcasts

Photo of Israeli politicians Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid delivering a statement..

The Israeli Government Falls: New Election and Implications for U.S.-Israel Relations

Watch an expert webcast examining the collapse of the year-old coalition government, the impact on President Biden’s upcoming Middle East trip, and the potential consequences for broader U.S.-Israel policy.

Jun 27, 2022

David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Hezbollah-Shia Dynamics and Lebanon's Election: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Implications

On the eve of the election, two Lebanese experts joined a former U.S. official to discuss the prospects for widening the cracks in Hezbollah’s core Shia constituency.

May 18, 2022

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

Hanin Ghaddar
Bashshar Haydar
David Schenker

Arab Approval of UAE, Bahrain Peace with Israel

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

May 3, 2022

Israeli police respond to a shooting in Tel Aviv - source: Reuters

Terror and Turbulence in Israel and the West Bank

Three experts discuss the risks of escalating violence on the ground, the Israeli and PA response so far, and U.S

Apr 8, 2022

Reform, Protest, Change

Middle East doctor, Turkish protestor, veiled voter

A New Start for the U.S. on Mideast Democracy and Human Rights

In a region where publics are clamoring for healthcare, housing, jobs, and freedom of expression, progress toward electoral democracy need not always be the top priority.

Sep 19, 2021

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David Pollock
Robert Satloff

Militia Spotlight

Ahrar Sinjar: Fasail Employment of the Yazidi Community

Ahrar Sinjar is a worrying example of Iran-backed militias utilizing micro-minorities to undertake cross-border rocket attacks into the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and terrorist cell-building inside Iraqi Kurdistan.

May 26, 2022

Michael Knights
Hamdi Malik
Alex Almeida
Anwar al-Zamani

Muqawama Cyber-Surge (Part 2): Attributing Attacks to Militia Platforms

Sabereen News has seemingly broadened its capabilities to include simple hacking tactics like DDoS attacks, and it might quickly proceed to more complex exploits.

Apr 25, 2022

The Muqawama's Duel with Turkey

Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith

Profile: Ahrar Sinjar

This facade group is used to "brand" muqawama attacks on Turkish targets and purportedly link the strikes to Yezidi grievances

Jun 8, 2022

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

Turkish counterstrikes may have instilled caution in militia rocketeers, suggesting more attacks may come against U.S. and Kurdish targets instead.

May 17, 2022

Recently in Fikra Forum

TWI Interactive Polling Platform

Interactive datasets, from 2014 to today

Jun 30, 2022

New Poll in West Bank Shows Shift from Maximalist Views of 2020

Fikra Forum

A new poll gauging popular opinion in the West Bank shows support for a two state solution remains in the minority, but meaningful shifts have occurred in attitudes over the past two years.

Jun 30, 2022

Implications of the Sadrist Withdrawal for the Shia Coordination Framework and Iran

Catherine Cleveland

The conflict between the Sadrists and the Shia Coordination Framework signals the potential for a new political order in Iraq

Jun 29, 2022

The Tishreeni Movement Continues: Change Is Inevitably Coming to Iraq

Iraq’s Tishreen movement, driven by a reduced fear of political authority, is reshaping Iraqi politics by injecting fear of the

Jun 28, 2022

Counterterrorism Lecture Series

NATO member flags fly at half-staff in solidarity with victims of the November 2015 Paris terror attacks - source: NATO

NATO Counterterrorism Trends: Current and Future Threats

The alliance’s CT chief reflects on what member states, their militaries, and their international partners should focus on as they adapt to constantly evolving terrorist threats at home and abroad.

Mar 17, 2022

Gabriele Cascone

Contending with New and Old Threats:

A French Perspective on Counterterrorism

A top intelligence official discusses domestic radicalization, the AUKUS crisis, potential Afghanistan fallout, and other key security issues, emphasizing the need for strong U.S.-French cooperation.

Oct 12, 2021