Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
The KDP’s nominees for Kurdistan’s highest offices demonstrate the party’s belief that it can shape the region’s politics without regard for established power-sharing norms.
New legislation to regulate the Ministry of Awqaf in Syria aims to prevent any uncontrolled religious mobilization in a post-war Syria.
Although Iraq’s political blocs have agreed on a new prime minister, the lack of a coherent coalition shows the incoming government’s inherent weakness.
Instead of putting its full strength behind unifying Syrian rebel groups, Ankara is slowly supporting that process without disturbing the status quo.
Rising public trust in Arab militaries at the expense of governments could signal a disruptive trend in civil-military relations and portend instability to come.
Torn apart by worsening internal conflicts, the Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood is struggling to avoid domestic isolation.
As Lebanon’s debt grows and the traditional pillars of its economy stagnate, a drop in remittances from the Gulf may push the country into bankruptcy.
In Jordan, internationally backed efforts to extend successful community policing programs beyond refugee camps face multiple challenges.
Many Jordanians are unwilling to give the new Razzaz government a chance on its reintroduced tax bill unless accompanied by other reforms.
Qatar’s pledge of aid to Turkey has deepened the two countries’ alliance, even as Turkish officials worry Doha will not deliver.
The Assad regime’s recent victories in southwestern Syria provide Jordan an opportunity to open the border and pursue reconstruction that could encourage refugees to return.
In Idlib, Turkey could deter Russian airstrikes and ensure the region remains out of the Syrian regime’s control by going after extremist groups.
Russia has successfully used local ceasefires and international negotiations to cut off rebel strongholds and co-opt regional powers to support its offensives.
Gulf economic aid has averted Jordan’s debt crisis for now, but further support may require concessions regarding the kingdom’s previously independent foreign policy.
Out of options to break the Gaza siege, Hamas is trying to co-opt continued protest marches to boost its leverage against Fatah.
Changes to Turkey’s electoral laws have increased the potential for electoral fraud.
Impending sanctions on Iran will make Turkey’s energy imports more expensive and contribute to the devaluation of the lira.
Like Hani al-Mulki, Omar al-Razzaz comes into office with a mandate to address economic issues that are beyond the Jordanian government’s ability to resolve.
Erdogan has managed to gain appeal across the region by emphasizing his independent foreign policy and successful economic and religious stewardship while still maintaining an appearance of electoral democracy.
Turkey’s opposition parties have moderated their ideologies and coordinated their strategies to collectively win more votes in the upcoming elections, which could deal a blow to the ruling AKP.