Tag "Middle East politics"
Stable but stagnant: Transforming Jordan’s economy
After attempts by Prince Hamzah bin al-Hussein and other government officials to destabilize the country, King Abdullah of Jordan is eager to bolster his already strong ties with the US. While foreign policy may be high on the agenda, Jordanian policymakers should pay more attention to the pressing economic issues weighing on 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.
Sanctions and social media: Civil unrest and Iran-US relations
Recent domestic and international developments have negatively affected the stability of the Iranian regime.
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.
Iraq: Impact of the Syrian war’s next stage
The Syrian Civil war is nearing its end game. This article, part three of a five-part series on the regional impact of this news, examines the current economic obstacles and opportunities for Iraq. Part one of the series considered Syria, the second part assessed Jordan.
US troops withdrawal from Syria and the threat of Islamic State
President Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria has infuriated allies and strengthened adversaries on the ground. This has allowed Turkey to potentially eliminate a key Kurdish fighting force. This article assesses who stands to win and lose from this decision and the long-term impact for relations in the Middle East.
Putin’s Middle East gamble
Since 2015 Russia has used the Syrian civil conflict as a platform to gain power within the Middle East. Engaging militarily and economically with the region, Russia has renewed its place in the global power structure and has invested in securing a share of the Middle East’s energy wealth.
Will Iran become the next Middle East superpower?
With international sanctions on Iran being lifted, and with the country boasting one of the most advanced and diversified economies in the MENA region, how likely is it that Iran will become
Iran’s return to oil markets puts additional pressure on oil prices
The end of sanctions is a lifesaver for Iran’s economy, but oil producers will have to bear the additional brunt as new barrels flood the already oil-saturated markets. After seven
Risks in Pakistan’s tactical nuclear weapons policy
Recent clarifications in Pakistani nuclear policy confirmed speculations that Islamabad has an alarmingly low threshold for tactical nuclear weapon deployment. Here are the geopolitical risks that emerge from Pakistan’s now
