Policy Analysis

Persistent reports of royal disquiet about the role of the king's favored son indicate that a showdown between rival factions may be imminent.

The Iranian regime's anti-Western regional policy has become much more important to its identity than Islamic ideology, so confronting Tehran's "unreasonable rationality" is essential.

Given the latest redistricting efforts and the absence of major Islamist opposition, the upcoming vote is set to produce a throwback parliament that is largely beholden to the president's camp.

Faced with government bans on political mosque sermons and overtly religious political campaigning, Salafi leaders will likely disseminate their views through a network of social media, television stations, and periodicals.

Defending the Assad regime has given Tehran multiple options for expanding its influence and projecting power in the region and beyond.

A new poll indicates approval for Cairo's recent policies but little interest in religious reform, and very strong opposition toward players such as ISIS, Iran, Russia, the United States, and Qatar.

In this interview with the French newspaper L'Opinion, Washington Institute fellow Fabrice Balanche discusses the status of Syrian refugees inside and outside the country, as well as the Russian intervention and other recent developments. Download the PDF to read the full interview in French, or visit the L'Opinion website.

Having stoked tensions in Jerusalem, Mahmoud Abbas and his government now find it hard to reassert their authority.

Although broader public relations between Israel and the Gulf states have yet to take off, many of their economic, intelligence, and diplomatic ties are already at cruising altitude.

A new offensive near the key city indicates that ISIS may be racing Assad and his allies for control of northern Syria.

The Nobel Committee rightfully recognized the strong civil society institutions that mediated Tunisia's difficult political transition at a time when other regional states were falling into chaos.

The kingdom's energy security dilemmas need to be considered in the context of its diverse geopolitical challenges, including external security threats from ISIS and domestic resentment toward Israeli actions in Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Comparing the recent rhetoric, actions, and outreach styles of Muslim Brothers and Salafis provides insight into their current reversals of fortune.

As the death toll in the Ankara bombing rises, watching Turkey has become like watching a disaster unfold in slow motion.

Violence in the Holy City has unnerved the king, but the prospect of additional Syrian refugees constitutes a much greater threat to the kingdom's stability.

The Kurdish forces fielded by the YPG remain at the vanguard of the anti-ISIS fight in Syria, so providing them with GPS technology, faster airstrike coordination, and other assistance would greatly further U.S. interests.

A safe haven along Syria's border with Turkey could involve several partners and send a clear message to Russia and Iran.

Moscow's intervention is intended to support the regime, is backed by a small but potent force, and appears set for the long haul.

Recent polling results suggest that King Abdullah's low-profile policy toward Syria is well calculated to keep him out of trouble.

The missile strikes on targets in Syria showed unprecedented cooperation between Russia and Iran, but they also serve as a wakeup call to Tehran about Moscow's expanding military profile in the Caspian.