Politics
A focus on what drives and determines political power in the region.
on :
Tuesday, 14 Feb, 2012
A Question of Interpretation
“In the last 23 years, from the day I was stripped of my judgeship to the years of doing battle in the revolutionary courts of Tehran, I had repeated one refrain: an interpretation of Islam that is in harmony with equality and democracy is an authentic expression of faith. It is not religion that binds women, but the selective dictates of those who wish them cloistered. That belief, along with the conviction that change in Iran must come peacefully and from within, has underpinned my work....
on :
Tuesday, 14 Feb, 2012
Sanctioning Iran
The United Nations and its individual members have adopted a series of increasingly severe economic and other sanctions aimed at impeding Tehran’s ability to acquire the technologies, equipment, and other materials needed for Iran’s nuclear program. Despite the sanctions, the Iranian government continues to make progress toward a nuclear weapons capability and remains securely in power despite internal discontent. Nonetheless, the sanctions will continue in the abse...
on :
Wednesday, 8 Feb, 2012
Al-Arabi and the Arab League
Nabil Al-Arabi was poised to crown a long career as an international lawyer and civil servant in Egypt’s foreign ministry after he accepted the position of Foreig...
on :
Thursday, 2 Feb, 2012
A Blessing in Disguise
The Vice President of Iraq, Tareq Al-Hashemi, has been the focus of a political storm in Iraq for more than a month. Accusations—made by his political rivals—that Hashemi o...
on :
Wednesday, 1 Feb, 2012
Yemen’s Turn
Yemen will hold a presidential election on 21 February. Yet opposition groups lack unity, sporadic fighting continues in the south, president Saleh’s son Ahmed Ali Saleh cont...
on :
Tuesday, 31 Jan, 2012
A Credible Alternative
Across Syria, indications are mounting that the regime of President Bashar Al-Assad is fraying. A ten-month campaign to crush the Syrian uprising has failed. The economy is r...
on :
Monday, 30 Jan, 2012
A Work in Progress
William B. Quandt has been a prominent voice in American foreign policy in the Middle East for over 30 years. Serving in the National Securit...
on :
Friday, 27 Jan, 2012
Saudi Arabia, the GCC, and Defining Moments
William B. Quandt has been a prominent voice in American foreign policy in the Middle East for over 30 years. Serving in the National Security Council under the Richard Nixon a...
on :
Thursday, 26 Jan, 2012
A Reluctant Leader
After months of reneged promises and prevarication, President Ali Abdullah Saleh has finally transferred his powers to his deputy and jetted off into exile, reportedly in Oman....
on :
Tuesday, 24 Jan, 2012









Follow Us!