Deniz Baran | 30 November 2017
At the present time, we are witnessing the rise of secessionist movements across the world whose political discourse is built on the basis of the right to right to self-determination. Echoes of this trend can also be seen in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region,
Dimitar Bechev | 13 October 2017 | AR
King Salman’s visit to Russia, the first ever by a Saudi monarch, shows that Moscow and Riyadh are switching gears from competition to cooperation. This rapprochement is guided by pragmatism and overlapping interests: boosting global oil prices,
Muhanad Seloom | 12 October 2017 | TR
The Iraqi Kurdistan region independence referendum represents a turning point in Iraq’s modern history. For the first time since its foundation in 1921, Iraq’s territorial integrity is at stake.
Madawi AlRasheed | 14 September 2017 | TR
At the height of the previous Arab Cold War between Egyptian Gamal Abd Al-Nasir and King Faisal of Saudi Arabia in the 1960s, the level of hostility between rival camps took several years to be contained.
Mesut Ozcan | 07 September 2017 | TR
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s announcement that it would hold a referendum on independence on September 25 this year has revived the Kurdish issue in Iraq amidst ongoing anti-ISIS operations.
Yury Barmin | 03 August 2017 | TR
With the conflict in Libya proving to be hard to resolve through U.N. mediation, outside powers, including Russia, see an opportunity to facilitate the settlement of the crisis and serve their own interests by doing so.
Mesut Ozcan | 21 July 2017 | TR
The defeat of the Islamic State (IS) in Mosul represents an important turning point in the recent history of Iraq. Psychologically, the Abadi government will be emboldened by this event, but despite this success,
Walter Posch | 14 July 2017
The re-election of incumbent president Dr Hassan Rouhani must be read as a mandate for the continuation of his policy of de-escalation, both domestically and in foreign policy. That said, old challenges remain, such as a radical-populist domestic opposition, its resistance to economic reforms, and increasing tensions with Saudi Arabia.
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen | 29 June 2017 | TR
The standoff in the Gulf that commenced in May 23 between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) presents the greatest challenge to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Sinan Hatahet | 19 June 2017 | TR
The American airstrike against Iranian-backed fighters near Al Tanaf base last month represent a major change in the nature of the United States’ use of force in Syria.
