Policy Analysis

Khamenei’s Ramadan speech combined explicit attacks on the United States, implicit criticism of Rouhani’s approach, and excessive demands on Europe, seemingly bracing the regime for one of the toughest challenges of his thirty-year rule.

The PJD and the monarchy will continue competing for stewardship of the reform process—and for the right to define what it means to be an Islamist party post-Arab Spring.

Washington can address Ankara's deep security concerns via Kurdish withdrawal from the Manbij pocket and ironclad guarantees against Russian aggression.

To measure Sisi’s popularity during the recent Egyptian presidential elections, supporters and opponents of President al-Sisi both published photos: of crowded polling stations, or of empty polling stationsSisi’s opponents did not limit themselves to publishing pictures of empty polling stations and stories of forced mobilization on the part of the

On May 6, 2018, municipal elections in Tunisia -- the one country often hailed as the Arab Spring’s sole success story -- were finally held, after being postponed several times. Just a few months ago, many observers were really skeptical about the feasibility of such an event. Supporters put forward

Russia is challenging the West, including through its current efforts to gain a foothold in Syria and in a number of countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The situation in Syria serves as a clear example of Russian meddling, but the actual challenge does not stop there. To

Can Washington turn its Arab partners' favorable rhetoric on the administration's new Iran policy into concrete actions to curb Tehran's regional adventurism? Join us for an expert conversation and live webcast on Tuesday, June 5.

The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the official results of the Iraqi parliamentary election on the early hours of May 19 after several delays. In the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the unofficial and the official results were mired by claims of widespread electoral fraud in favor of the two

Arresting feminists doesn’t inspire faith in the crown prince’s much-hyped reform agenda.

A boost in Saudi production to make up for any Iranian shortfall, joined by an expansion in regulated U.S. fracking, might help keep fuel costs in check.

Instead of focusing on national-level polls, UNSMIL can work to facilitate municipal elections, development projects, and a dialogue among the country's militias.

Meetings between U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry and Saudi negotiators have begun paving the way for U.S. companies to sell nuclear technology to the kingdom. The Saudis are likely to reject any deal that does not give them the option of enriching uranium at a low level. So far

An all-out war between Iran and Israel is approaching, and the Trump administration has no strategy for preventing it.

Considering the Trump administration's lack of credibility with the Palestinians, the crucial task of announcing projects for Gaza now falls to European and Arab leaders.

An expert panel assesses sanctions and the future of U.S. Iran strategy in light of the Trump administration's exit from the nuclear deal.

Many debates raged on Saudi Arabia’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood when King Salman bin Abdulaziz first came to power. Some say that Salman’s ascension represented a revolt against the Brotherhood, while others claimed that some aspects of Brotherhood thought remained influential in the country. In early 2015, the late

The emerging vote tallies are just the beginning of government formation in Iraq, and they indicate a need to focus on U.S. principles, not specific outcomes.

The United States must explain to its allies how withdrawing from the Iran deal fits into a larger strategy for the Middle East.

The Houthis will likely try to intensify their cross-border missile strikes and other asymmetric tactics to internationalize the battle, steps the United States should firmly oppose.

Not only is the war far from over, but a series of developments could undermine the regime's recent gains—and create opportunities for the United States.