Federico Donelli | 18 January 2022 | AR | TR
This brief analyzes Ethiopia's conflict dynamics and highlights some of its regional and global implications. The Ethiopian military's intervention in the northern region of Tigray in November 2020 has triggered
M. Nurullah Gulec | 20 December 2021
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a persistent human capital problem which manifests itself in high unemployment and a low share of nationals in the labor force.
Selman Buyukkara | 01 December 2021 | TR
Fifteen years have passed since Hezbollah and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), which both occupy a central place in Lebanon’s sectarian political system, signed a Memorandum of Understanding and formed the political alliance currently governing Lebanon. These two parties, which were ideologically and politically opposed
Firat Kimya | 16 November 2021
The crisis of democracy in Tunisia continues, as President Kais Saied declared an indefinite suspension of parliament, which he has depicted as a threat to the state. Amidst this crisis, the indecisive attitude of international democratic actors has disappointed many and created a power vacuum for MENA strongmen to extend their political influence on Tunisia
Tamer Badawi | 11 October 2021 | TR
Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Gulf countries have been long collaborating and competing in Iraq since the US invasion of 2003. The United States (US) sought the support of regional allies to contribute to building the new political order as well as engage in economic reconstruction. Pre-war political and economic ties had helped Turkey and the UAE in establishing their influence in the country
Alessandro Arduino | 04 May 2021 | TR
Following the tense US-China meeting in Alaska during the first high-level US-China talks of the Biden administration in March 2021,[i] Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi carried out a six-country swing through the Middle East.
Valentina Pegolo | 04 May 2021
Following the Arab Spring, Italy has tried to improve its geopolitical position in the Middle East. Its approach, however, has suffered from the lack of a grand strategy and overreliance on strategic partners
Mohammed Sinan Siyech | 22 April 2021 | AR | TR
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 | AR | TR
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
