Middle East/North Africa
Three takeaways from the Hawija raid in Iraq
The raid against an Islamic State prison in Hawija marks a continuation of willingness to ground forces in dangerous operations against the militants. What does this mean for the US
Three business risks from Israel’s current wave of violence
The wave of attacks that have been marring the security environment of Israel and the West Bank since early October have raised fears over the potential deterioration of the Israeli
Obama ups the ante in Syria with TOW missiles
While Obama has seemingly stood by his risk-averse approach to Middle East policy, the supply of TOW missiles to certain rebel factions has continued in response to Russia’s recent actions.
Kurdish groups are divided over Russian presence in Syria and Iraq
Russian airstrikes in Syria and military aid efforts in Iraq have placed Kurdish groups in both countries in an awkward position. As Russia and the U.S. pursue alternate strategies in
Political stalemate leaves Lebanon in crisis
With a political deadlock causing a 16-month vacancy of the presidential seat, a garbage crisis that has triggered an anti-government movement, and an unprecedented flow of Syrian refugees making up
Is time ripe for a UN-brokered peace deal in Libya?
Four years after the removal of Gadhafi from power, Libya is still struggling with two competing governments, violence, and instability. A UN-brokered peace deal could be struck in late October.
Investing in the newly-diversified Saudi economy
The necessity of Saudi Arabian diversification has been discussed since petroleum prices began to plummet last year. Many are questioning the country’s reliance on the resource, as the uncertain future
Egypt’s gas find sets Mediterranean geopolitics on fire
The recent natural gas find in Egypt ensures the country’s energy security, but also alters the energy and geopolitical dynamics in the eastern Mediterranean. Over the past few years, the
How strong are the Middle East’s cybersecurity networks?
The Middle East is responsible for a significant share of the world’s energy resources and is also one of the fastest growing regions for personal internet and mobile phone use.
Russia’s sudden military build-up in Syria
Recent reports suggest a Russian military build-up in Syria as President Vladimir Putin searches for new venues to stoke both domestic and international legitimacy — an expanded foray into the
