Policy Analysis

As long as the Islamic Republic’s decisions are dictated by rigid ideological imperatives, any shift in Tehran toward pragmatism in response to the new Trump Administration will likely be superficial at best.

By choosing a pathway to stability and growth through international partnership, Tunisia can mitigate its exposure to external shocks and create a more resilient economic environment for its citizens.

Last week’s population census in Iraq became the country's first in almost three decades.

Signs that Ankara is interested in a potential reconciliation with the PKK could lead an end to a decades-long conflict and have ripple effects across the region, although numerous obstacles remain.

The ongoing tensions in Nineveh's municipal council highlight how regional powers vie for influence in Iraq's local elections.

With Iraq's civil society increasingly losing access to international funding, its members face tough choices about the future.

Egypt, strategically positioned in the heart of the Middle East and North Africa, is grappling with significant economic pressures exacerbated by regional conflicts and geopolitical instability.

Oman is actively stepping up its coastal security in light of ongoing challenges from the "axis of resistance."

The ongoing Israeli military presence on the Philadelphia Corridor may prove an explosive flashpoint for Egypt-Israel relations given domestic pressures and internal fears in Cairo.

Yemen is experiencing brutal cycles of drought and deluge, a dangerous combination for a people already facing severe food insecurity.

The KDP leadership’s power-sharing status quo may be in jeopardy.

Elections in which Kurdish voters can authentically choose their leaders are not only what Kurdish citizens deserve; they increase the likelihood that the KRG will address the myriad concerns about its governance.

The debate over making Saturday the official second day of the weekend nationwide instead of Thursday has become a hot topic in Iran in recent months, highlighting the clash between the the regime’s ideology and the country’s economic reality.

In Jordan, Hamas is working to create a misleading narrative that conflates support for ending the war in Gaza and the Palestinians' right to self-determination with supporting Hamas.

As UNITAD's mandate ends, all involved parties should examine the limitations of what the organization was able to accomplish for the victims of ISIL's crimes after seven years.

The new amendment has been met with concerns as it is believed to promote child marriage, raising the stakes of this proposed amendment and its potential implications.

Effective counter-narratives are required to weaken the group's ideological appeal, especially the propaganda targeting Kurdish populations.

Kirkuk’s future remains uncertain due to the lack of any consensus-based projects between the governorate’s political actors. Even if these longtime rivals find a way to participate in the local government, it is possible that a slight grievance could devolve into political deadlock.

The greatest concern for small communities in Iraq is the failure of the state to regain its strength and ability to manage the country independently.

For the sake of the Iraqi labor market and of developing domestic expertise in oil and gas management, the government should seek to become more attractive to major IOCs outside of the Chinese companies currently drawn in by its bids.