Mohammed Sinan Siyech | 22 April 2021 | TR | AR
The Islamic State has gradually ramped up its attacks in Syria and Iraq since the mid-2020. This brief examines the group’s recent activities in both nations to interrogate if the group is undergoing a phase of resurgence in the region. Accordingly, it maps out the different factors that are aiding the group and provides some policy implications for governments in the region
Mehmet Emin Cengiz | 19 April 2021
The intra-Kurdish unity talks between the PYD and the KNC seem to be at an impasse. The unity negotiations, which are undoubtedly the product of times of crisis in Kurdish politics in Syria, started in April 2020, and two rounds of negotiations have already passed. Nevertheless, face-to-face negotiations between the sides stalled months ago, and the third round of talks could not be initiated despite various attempts and US mediation. Moreover, many obstacles lie ahead of the success of the unity talks.
Leonid M. Issaev | 26 March 2021 | TR | AR
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s visit to the Gulf fell during a period of trials between the new United States administration and the GCC countries, primarily Saudi Arabia. Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's “golden age” came to an end when former President Donald Trump stepped down and was replaced by Democrat Joseph Biden
Thembisa Fakude | 04 February 2021
Could this be Qatar’s moment in the politics of the region? The recent decision by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to lift the blockade against the state of Qatar comes at a crucial point [...]
Larbi Sadiki | 03 February 2021 | AR
As Arabs mark the tenth anniversary of their uprisings, scholars find endless interpretations of how to read them. Transitologists are yet to find their Godot – Arab Spring “democracy”. Ten years have been fraught with more counter-revolution than revolution? And of more authoritarian rule than democracy?
Mohammed Sinan Siyech | 15 January 2021
With the electoral victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, US foreign policy towards the Middle East will witness a few course changes based on previous statements made by the incoming president. It behooves analysts, therefore, to understand what sort of changes a Biden presidency can bring to India’s foreign policy specifically towards the Middle East
Dimitar Bechev | 07 January 2021
The launch of the Transadriatic Pipeline (TAP) has spearheaded the export of gas from the Caspian to Italy and Southeast Europe and inaugurated the much-discussed Southern Gas Corridor
Kamaran Palani | 06 January 2021 | AR
Youth disillusionment with the heavily politicised system of governance in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is not new. What is new is that young people’s anger and frustration now present a serious challenge to the KRI’s internal legitimacy
Mona Alami | 11 December 2020
The Israel and Gulf countries’ normalization leaves Lebanon, already isolated, further marginalized at the regional level. Lebanon’s continuous domination by Hezbollah means that the country will be increasingly viewed as a growing security concern for Arab countries in the wake of the Abrahams accords, which will allow for more direct and covert coordination between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Omer Aslan | 07 December 2020 | TR
For the last two years, several members of the League of Arab States (LAS) have taken incremental steps to bring Syria back under the LAS tent. Oman never cut diplomatic ties with Syria, and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain reopened their embassies in Damascus. Several other Arab states such as Algeria, Iraq, Tunisia, and Lebanon have been calling for Syria’s return to the League
