Politics

Navigating a Growing Chinese Influence in Iraqi Kurdistan

2020-08-03

The former prime ministers statement also shows how Asia has changed from a geographical term into a political and civilizational concept.

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Divisions in Iraqi Kurdistan Are Costing the United States a Reliable Partner

2020-08-02

If Kurdish leaders do not find a way to get beyond petty squabbles and into governing, they will be unable to pull the KRI out of its current nosedive or put their relationship with Washington on more solid ground.

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When China Met Iran

2020-07-29

A growing partnership between America’s main Middle East adversary and Asia’s rising superpower bears careful watching in Washington.

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Is a China-US “Rivalry Partnership” Possible?

2020-07-29

One must hope that China and the United States will eventually arrive at an understanding that great-power competition does not preclude cooperation to resolve major global challenges.

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Shifting Sands in the House of Saud with a King’s Declining Health

2020-07-23

King Salman may not be on his deathbed, but his son is renowned for not wanting to waste an opportunity.

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Sino American Relations Continue to Sour

2020-07-23

If anyone thought that Chinese American relations could not get worse, they were wrong, as President Trump and the State Department ratcheted

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Was Iraq’s prime minister right to go after an Iranian proxy?

2020-07-15

Rocket attacks by Iranian proxy groups in Iraq have been a common feature of the Iraqi security landscape over the past two decades, often causing material damage and on occasion killing and injuring Americans and Iraqis.

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What explains the decline of Iran’s moderates? It’s not Trump

2020-06-28

Why have Irans moderates and reformists lost public support, and what will this mean for Irans foreign policy?

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The Militia Movement in America

2020-06-24

After keeping out of sight for much of Trump’s presidency, the American militia movement is making itself felt. In the last few weeks, the Michigan militias protected monuments in Hillsdale, Michigan and others were involved in a shooting in New Mexico,

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Syria: Will the Great Middle Eastern War Begin in the Levant?

2020-06-24

It is well known that Israel possesses enormous firepower and strong armed forces for land, sea, and air combat, and is better equipped than any other army in the Middle East.

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The Lure of Blood Money

2020-06-22

Arms sales to countries in the Yemen conflict continue, despite violations of human rights and conditions of transfer.

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The Pandemic Must End Our Complacency

2020-06-22

With an economic downturn as severe as the Great Depression and political conditions similar to those in the run-up to World War I, an international system built on globalization now hangs in the balance.

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The New Three-Dimensional Political Situation in Iraq: An Iraqi Point of View

2020-05-30

These developments come after important events in the political scene during the past two years. The most important of which is Irans loss of its soft power, which has long helped it win the Shiite street in Iraq.

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Disengaged of shrine brigades from the Popular Mobilization Authority (PMA): other factions fears

2020-05-28

The PMF units was created in 2014 following a fatwa, or religious call to action, from Sistani, to defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) after its occupation of large areas in northwestern Iraq. At the begging, all of the PMF units are armed groups following Al

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China Is Its Own Worst Enemy

2020-05-27

Had Chinese President Xi Jinpings communist regime been wise, it would have sought to repair the pandemic-inflicted damage to Chinas image by showing empathy and compassion to other countries.

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Iran is retreating from the Iraqi political scene

2020-05-23

Under pressure, the Islamic Republic is reassessing its strategy and telling allied factions that Tehran will mostly leave politics to the Iraqis

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Why Travel Bans Fail to Stop Pandemics

2020-05-18

Hasty Border Closures Invite Chaos—and Can Seed New Outbreaks

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COVID-19's class divide creates new political risks

2020-05-04

The disparity was highlighted in April when stock markets enjoyed a banner month even as 22 million people were added to the unemployment rolls.

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The Coronavirus Could Reshape Global Order

2020-04-12

China Is Maneuvering for International Leadership as the United States Falters

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How Will the Coronavirus Crisis Affect Your Middle Eastern Focus Area in the Coming Months?

2020-04-07

A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

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How Would You Explain the Recent Spate of Arrests in Saudi Arabia?

2020-03-28

A regular survey of experts on matters relating to Middle Eastern and North African politics and security.

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The relationship between Iraq and the US is in danger of collapse. That can’t happen.

2020-03-23

It would a tragic shame if it ended. For Iraqis, the American presence is hugely beneficial as a counterweight to Iran and ISIS. Americans are also helpful with Iraqi internal politics—especially in regard to sectarian divisions in the security forces

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Implications of the Saudi Corruption Arrests

2020-03-19

The latest crackdown appears to have targeted senior defense and interior officials, spurring speculation that they are linked to previously detained princes rumored to be plotting a coup.

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New American Military Tactics

2020-03-19

Journalists point of view

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