Middle East/North Africa
Iraq: The Political Economy of Corruption
Recent protests in Iraq have demanded an end to rampant state corruption, the removal of foreign influences from Iraqi politics and the proper provision of public services.
Will Drones Push the Middle East Past the Point of No Return?
Unmanned aerial systems (UASs) or drones, both armed and unarmed, have altered how states and insurgents conduct warfare in the Middle East.
Water Shortage and Unrest in Iraq
Iraq is experiencing high youth unemployment rates and an ongoing protest movement motivated by socio-political grievances. The lack of water is contributing to unrest in the country.
Iraq: Protests and Reforms
Years of governmental neglect has driven Iraq’s Shiites to the streets, precipitating an ever-deepening crisis for Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi’s government.
US withdrawal from Syria: What next?
Changes in the US’ foreign policy in the Middle East took another turn when President Donald Trump announced that US troops were to withdraw from Syria.
Houthi threat to Saudi Arabia’s oil industry
The increasing missile, drone, and naval capabilities of the Houthis make the Saudi oil industry vulnerable to attack.
Saudi Attacks: Dawn of a New Era in Warfare
The September 14 attack in eastern Saudi Arabia is unprecedented. A drone and missile strike claimed by Houthi rebels of Yemen damaged Saudi Arabia’s oil processing facilities. U.S. and Saudi officials claimed the incursion originated outside of Yemen implicating Iran as the main culprit.
Russia grows impatient with Turkey in Syria
On August 2, Syria’s warring factions announced a ceasefire to fighting in the last remaining stronghold of Idlib. It did not last long as three days later fighting resumed between the government and its opposition.
How far will Israel go in annexing the West Bank?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent pledge to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank, has raised fears that annexation is imminent.
US power vacuum in the Middle East: What next?
Under President Trump, the United States is looking to play a minor role in the Middle East and this reduced American presence will cause distortions in the region.
