Policy Analysis

Iran’s allies in Iraq mounted a judicial coup at the start of this year. Now, Muqtada al-Sadr is trying to place the system under his control through mob action. U.S.-led friends of Iraq should care about both these developments, not just the most recent one.

Iran’s efforts to target Israeli citizens on Turkish soil has brought Turkey and Israel closer together.

A Turkish attack on northern Syria would bring new waves of internal displacement and increased humanitarian suffering, weaken the SDF and the Autonomous Administration, and erode these institutions’ the trust of the United States.

As the feud between Sadr and Maliki takes an unprecedented turn, its result is likely to have an impact on the role of Shia Islamist parties in Iraq.

Oil resources have wrought unprecedented developments in Gulf society, but these successes have been tainted by what is known as the “oil curse.” The past several years have given the Gulf an opportunity to change this trajectory.

While a military alliance with U.S. backing seems natural, necessary, and justified, the path to the establishment of a Middle Eastern NATO is barred by regional differences.

With the threat of a Turkish incursion into Northeast Syria, the SDF weighs their options while the area’s civilians express their frustrations and concerns about all parties involved.

A recent poll indicates that though more Gulfis now disapprove of the Abraham Accords, undertones of warming sentiments towards allowing contacts with Israelis are also present.

A new public opinion poll from Gaza shows some pragmatic, short-term moderation toward the U.S. and Israel over the past year, including opposition to Hamas policies. However, long-term views remain hardline, with few changes during the same period.

Iraq’s model of opposition traditionally focuses on ideological frameworks and regime change at the expense of working within the political system to effect change.

A new poll captures East Jerusalem attitudes towards Arab-Israeli rapprochement, involvement from other Arab countries, and the U.S. policy on the conflict.

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.

Interactive datasets, from 2014 to today

The conflict between the Sadrists and the Shia Coordination Framework signals the potential for a new political order in Iraq and a shift in Iran's influence in the country.

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

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

The current stalemate in Iraq may lead to a complete collapse of its political institutions and prompt the international community to intervene if domestic political actors fail.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Russia’s recognition of the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk has upended foreign partnerships over the past several months—including the global networks linking MENA countries to other world powers.

Time and again, the professional institutions and legal protections allegedly afforded to Iraqi journalists are failing them.

More than two months into the faltering invasion of Ukraine, Russia appears to be recalculating its approach, resorting to a tactic Syrians are all too familiar with: 'Ants Crawl', or a scorched earth policy.