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Middle East and North Africa

Special Collection on the Middle East

This complete work consists of several dozen essays spread out over 8 parts tackling the region’s conflicts and historical evolution, relating them to contemporary issues. Divided into distinct regions and critical issues, the Special Collection of the Middle East is your source to better understand this volatile region and to be prepared for what comes next.

Turkey vs. Iran vs. the US

A few developments over the past week bode ill for the Middle East’s sectarian rivalries, with implications for U.S. strategy in the region. On...

Why Syria Remains Ungovernable

Syria was for centuries a meeting place for disparate civilizations and cultures, turning it into one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries...

In Syria, the Future Depends on Turkey and Israel

The fall of the Syrian regime degraded Iran’s position in the country and, in doing so, has made Syria a battleground for the competition...

Russia’s Presence in Africa After Assad’s Fall in Syria

Bashar Assad’s ouster in Syria will likely have far-reaching consequences for close ally Russia, extending even into its operations in Africa. For decades, Syria...

Israel’s Objectives in Syria

By Andrew Davidson Bashar Assad’s abrupt flight from Syria left behind a power vacuum. The rebels who overthrew him are hard at work reassuring the...

What’s Next for Syria’s Refugees

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(click to enlarge) Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011, displaced more than 13 million people, including nearly 5 million who fled abroad. However, with...

The Weakness of Israel’s Approach to War

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The Middle East has broken down into a state of extreme combat. The collapse of the system of governance throughout the region has opened...

After the Fall of Assad, the Middle East Braces for Unrest

Jubilant crowds in some of Syria’s biggest and most politically significant cities toppled statues of former President Hafez Assad over the past week, in...

The Syrian Government Has Fallen. Now What?

The Assad regime, which had ruled Syria for nearly half a century, fell over the weekend after rebels took control the capitol of Damascus....

Saudi Arabia Hedges Its Bets

Last weekend, Saudi Arabia ditched the comprehensive defense pact it had been pursuing with the U.S. in favor of a smaller, more limited military...

The Stakes in Syria’s Renewed Rebellion

Syria has once again become the center of gravity in the contest for primacy in the Middle East. Backed by Turkey, Syria’s Sunni rebels...

In Syria, Turkey Makes Its Move

It was only a matter of time before Turkey would try to capitalize on the hole Israel punched into Iran’s sphere of influence after...

Trump and the Elusive Middle Eastern Balance of Power

Much of the public discussion about U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming strategy for the Middle East, especially in light of the nominees to his...

Qatar’s Adaptive Foreign Policy

The modern history of Qatar began in the 18th century with the settlement of Arab tribes along the Persian Gulf coast. It soon became...

For Saudi Arabia, Iran Is Still a Threat

Iran’s entry into the Arab world was always going to result in a conflict with Israel, but, despite claims to the contrary, Iran was...

Graphic Essay: Energy Market Volatility

For many countries, including major geopolitical players, energy resources rank among the most politically and economically sensitive commodities. Prices for these resources are shaped...

Latest Posts

The meltdown of autocratic regimes currently underway in the Arab world has led to the growth of ungoverned spaces. The resulting vacuum is being dominated by armed Islamist non-state actors – in particular Salafist-jihadist militias.

The three non-Arab powers – Turkey, Iran and Israel – are trying to manage the regional commotion according to their national interests.

It was during the Cold War era that a deep ideological chasm in the Middle East began to coagulate. The struggle between those who adopted European secularism and those who crafted an ideology based on religious tradition had its roots in late 19th century Ottoman Empire. Roughly 100 years later, this struggle had polarized the region.

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Read Assessment of Turkey

From our Forecast...

The Vienna nuclear talks will result in a settlement. The Israeli Air Force will not attack Iran’s nuclear sites.

Middle East and North Africa in our Memos

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Latest Posts

EU Economy Shows Modest Improvement

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(click to enlarge) The EU economy is recovering modestly but still faces significant structural adjustments and external pressures. In the third quarter of 2024, gross...

Daily Memo: Militants Relocate to Afghanistan, US Accuses China of Equipping Houthis

Domino theory. Some fighters from a Uyghur militant group who helped overthrow the Syrian regime reportedly relocated to Afghanistan and have settled in Panjshir...

Trust Issues in China’s Military

There’s been another shakeup in China’s People’s Liberation Army. Beijing recently revoked the membership of two high-ranking military officials, You Haitao and Li Pengcheng,...

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Special Collection – The Middle East

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