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Middle East/North Africa Security

Yemen conflict reveals shortcomings of Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy

With its vast oil riches and status as custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, Saudi Arabia has long practiced conservative and discreet foreign relations. But since his ascent to the throne, King Salman has

Middle East/North Africa Security

Iran tests Saudi, American resolve in the Gulf of Aden

Last week, an Iranian humanitarian vessel departed from the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran, heading for the Houthi-held port of Hudaydah in Yemen. The manifest claimed a cargo of humanitarian

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Netanyahu’s fragile coalition could leave the Prime Minister powerless

The Israeli Knesset, newly dominated by right wing, religious political parties, could hamper Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s progress on crucial economic and security issues.  The Israeli Knesset approved Benjamin Netanyahu’s

Middle East/North Africa Security

Will Jabhat al-Nusra eclipse Islamic State in Syria?

Jihadist groups have made some recent military gains against the regime forces in Syria. Both the Assad regime and Islamic State are under extreme political and economic pressure. Could Jabhat

Middle East/North Africa Politics

What lies ahead for the Palestinian Authority?

The Palestinian Authority is facing a leadership crisis. Is Mohammed Dahlan positioned to become the next leader of the Palestinians? The issue of leadership succession in the Middle East is

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Two ways WWII’s legacy still links Europe to the Middle East

This May 7th marks the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe (VE Day). Just a short distance away, the Middle East still remains a major source of

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Saudi Arabia’s new foreign policy is assertive, but risky

When King Salman assumed the throne in January, most regional commentators expected continuity in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen shows, however, that Riyadh is

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Russia-Iran weapons sale a deal of mutual opportunity

The Kremlin’s decision last week to lift a ban on the sale of the S-300 air-defense missile system to Iran has sparked widespread political backlash from those who fear Iran’s growing

Middle East/North Africa Politics

Iran’s pilgrimage boycott threatens more than Saudi tourism revenues

Iran’s cancellation of pilgrimage flights to Saudi Arabia is an indication of deteriorating relations, using lucrative religious tourism as a foreign policy tool. The moves by Tehran come in wake of

Economics Middle East/North Africa

Can Israel become the world’s next tech capital?

The dissolution of the Soviet Union led to a rapid influx of Jewish immigration, with no fewer than 1.6 million new residents settling in Israel. Many had been trained in engineering and