Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Amidst public cries to boycott the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections and to reform the political landscape of the country, Iranian-backed militias are mobilizing forces and preparing to assume power, while the Sadrists hope to play kingmaker.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan poses a security challenge to some Middle Eastern countries, especially the Gulf states, which prompted them to take measures to protect their interests. However, this withdrawal constitutes an opportunity for other Arab regimes such as Jordan to tighten their grip on their opponents.
Although Egypt’s Sisi regime once perpetuated propaganda against Hamas at home, today its foreign and domestic standing is contingent on a strong relationship with the Gaza-based group.
Internal Palestinian political disputes have resumed following the eleven-day Gaza war.
Once pillars of global agriculture, Iraq and Syria are plagued by corruption-induced food insecurity. The collapse of Iraq’s agriculture sector over decades of conflict hints at Syria’s future.
As the Biden administration attempts to promote democracy and human rights in the Middle East, it will confront the deep-seated belief among Arabs that U.S. policies are unfair to their central causes and biased in favor of the ruling elite of their countries.
Hamas is holding elections amid calls for reform to repeal its secret process and to empower youth and women to hold leadership positions.*
As Turkey continues to take a hardline stance on the Kurds’ legal rights, international organizations and actors should take part in preventing Ankara from expanding further into Syria.
President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to postpone the May 22 legislative elections has been denounced by some Palestinians as a “usurpation of power” and a “constitutional crime.”
Paramilitary surrogates are popping up in Iraq with strong links to existing militant networks. The application Telegram has been crucial in fostering new paramilitary identities.
As acute effects of the pandemic mix with complex political and economic dynamics, Gazan leadership struggles to address an increasingly politicized healthcare crisis.
As Syria’s Civil War continues, the Ba’ath Party has reconstituted itself and seeks to consolidate a stranglehold over Syrian politics.
The ICC’s affirmation of jurisdiction in the occupied Palestinian territory promises a protracted process, at best.
Oman’s growing influence in Syria could make it an increasingly important diplomatic actor there, though the Sultanate must tread carefully.
The decision to hold parliamentary elections reflects Amman’s insistence on applying a dated paradigm to manage Jordan’s political and socioeconomic challenges.
Sada asked experts to analyze potential flash points for the next U.S. administration—ranging from the globalization of Libya’s war to the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Yemen, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and increasing authoritarianism and violations of civil liberties and human rights.
Though the UN advocates gender parity in peace processes, the ongoing facilitation of the Syrian Constitutional Committee exposes this superficial advocacy.
Iraq’s Prime Minister inherited a series of fiscal crises. As his interim government struggles to advert a complete economic collapse, austerity measures may come at the expense of much-needed reforms.
It may seem as though Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry is zooming ahead; however, the industry faces an array of issues that could slow its long-term development.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi is likely heading toward a confrontation with the Iran-backed paramilitaries, which could threaten his fledgling coalition.