Middle East Institute

The next phase in the Syrian war

Seven years after Syria’s civil uprising broke out, the war isn’t over, but it is entering a new phase. MEI's Robert Ford, Charles Lister, and Paul Salem discuss the state of play and how things may develop in the months ahead.

Is Russia drawing down its presence in Syria?

Since December 2017, at least three North Caucasian battalions in Syria have returned to their bases. While details are murky, recent developments and statements indicate that this could be the beginning of a partial Russian drawdown in Syria.

Turkey’s currency crisis rages on

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts Gonul Tol, Robert S. Ford, Randa Slim, and Marvin G. Weinbaum provide analysis on Turkey's currency crisis, talks in Ankara over the future of Idlib, Abadi's chances of clinging to the premiership, and the Taliban's capture of Ghazni.

Iran sanctions may see US-Turkey ties get a lot worse

Turkey and Iran are close trading partners; the trade volume between the two countries stands at $10 billion. However, the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran puts Turkey, already on the verge of an economic crisis, in a difficult spot.

How is jihadi militancy in Yemen evolving?

Regional conflict and internal chaos have allowed militant jihadi groups to rise and flourish in Yemen. In this policy paper, Elisabeth Kendall explains how two of the most prominent such groups, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State in Yemen (ISY), have evolved and adapted within the Yemen's turbulent political and military landscape.

The next phase in the Syrian war

Seven years after Syria’s civil uprising broke out, the war isn’t over, but it is entering a new phase. MEI's Robert Ford, Charles Lister, and Paul Salem discuss the state of play and how things may develop in the months ahead.

Is Russia drawing down its presence in Syria?

Since December 2017, at least three North Caucasian battalions in Syria have returned to their bases. While details are murky, recent developments and statements indicate that this could be the beginning of a partial Russian drawdown in Syria.

Turkey’s currency crisis rages on

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts Gonul Tol, Robert S. Ford, Randa Slim, and Marvin G. Weinbaum provide analysis on Turkey's currency crisis, talks in Ankara over the future of Idlib, Abadi's chances of clinging to the premiership, and the Taliban's capture of Ghazni.

Iran sanctions may see US-Turkey ties get a lot worse

Turkey and Iran are close trading partners; the trade volume between the two countries stands at $10 billion. However, the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran puts Turkey, already on the verge of an economic crisis, in a difficult spot.

How is jihadi militancy in Yemen evolving?

Regional conflict and internal chaos have allowed militant jihadi groups to rise and flourish in Yemen. In this policy paper, Elisabeth Kendall explains how two of the most prominent such groups, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State in Yemen (ISY), have evolved and adapted within the Yemen's turbulent political and military landscape.

Analysis

Aug 8, 2018

Nasser bin Nasser

What does Helsinki mean for Jordan?

Aug 8, 2018

Nasser bin Nasser

Despite the absence of a public and formal account of what transpired during the meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin in Helsinki on Jul. 16, it seems that there is at least tacit agreement between the two leaders that will impact Syria as well as Jordan's stability and security.
Analysis

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol

Erdogan’s Achilles heel

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s policy toward Syrian refugees could become his downfall as anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey grows, especially if the economy weakens.
Analysis

Jul 27, 2018

Yesar Al-Maleki

Will Basra’s protests reshape Iraq’s politics?

Jul 27, 2018

Yesar Al-Maleki

<p>What began as a regular rally for jobs near a Basran oil field has become a full-fledged protest movement, with Iraqis across the province demanding electricity, water, and employment. As the protests wind down, what legacy will they leave?</p>
Analysis

Jul 30, 2018

Alex Vatanka and Robert Reasoner

Trump’s unconvincing strategy on Iran

Jul 30, 2018

Alex Vatanka and Robert Reasoner

<p>U.S. leadership claims they do not seek regime change in Iran; however, they appear to believe that if they capitalize on the anger of the Iranian people, they can gain leverage and force the regime to make policy concessions. While this could work, the strategy is more likely to collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.</p>
Briefing

Aug 6, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar, Gerald M. Feierstein and Charles Lister

Will sanctions bring Iran back to negotiating table?

Aug 6, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar, Gerald M. Feierstein and Charles Lister

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts Ahmad Majidyar, Gerald Feierstein, and Charles Lister provide analysis on the first batch of U.S. sanctions on Iran, leaked emails that may undermine the Trump administration's Mideast peace plan, and the assassination of a Syrian military scientist.

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Analysis & Opinion

Aug 17, 2018

Mona Alami

Is Iran replicating Lebanon model in southern Syria?

Aug 17, 2018

Mona Alami
Analysis

Aug 16, 2018

Neil Hauer

Is Russia drawing down in Syria?

Aug 16, 2018

Neil Hauer

Since December 2017, at least three North Caucasian battalions in Syria have returned to their bases. While details are murky, recent developments and statements indicate that this could be the beginning of a partial Russian drawdown in Syria.
Analysis

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol

Erdogan’s Achilles heel

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s policy toward Syrian refugees could become his downfall as anti-refugee sentiment in Turkey grows, especially if the economy weakens.
Turkey

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol and Engin Polar

Iran sanctions may see US-Turkey ties get a lot worse

Aug 9, 2018

Gönül Tol and Engin Polar

Turkey and Iran are close trading partners; the trade volume between the two countries stands at $10 billion. However, the reimposition of U.S. sanctions on Iran puts Turkey, already on the verge of an economic crisis, in a difficult spot.
Analysis

Aug 9, 2018

Charles Lister

The urgency of Idlib

Aug 9, 2018

Charles Lister

As the Assad regime completes its conquest of southwestern Syria, attention is shifting to the country’s northwest and in particular to the province of Idlib, the last remaining bastion of opposition control. To many people’s great concern, the question of Idlib’s future has more recently turned to when the regime and its Iranian and Russian backers will attack, rather than whether they will do so.
Analysis

Aug 8, 2018

Gönül Tol

US sanctions on Turkish ministers require recalibration

Aug 8, 2018

Gönül Tol

Additional designations of Erdogan’s cronies would hurt the Turkish strongman’s warchest.

Experts in the News

PBS NewsHour - Aug 16

Paul Salem

Daily Beast - Aug 10

Randa Slim

CNBC - Aug 10

W. Robert Pearson

Pages

Events

11/1968th Annual Awards BanquetHonoring Ayman Asfari and Shafiq Gabr, and with special performance by Lubana Al QuntarRegister

Upcoming Event

Sep 13

Landmines, IEDs, and other Explosive Hazards in the Middle East: Addressing a Growing Threat

A half-day conference on the need for international demining efforts.

Recent Events

Aug 15

Roundtable with Khaled Almaeena
Aug 14

Roundtable with Mohamed Abu Lahmoum

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Bruce K. Rutherford

Line Khatib

Samuel Helfont

Chad E. Nelson

Benjamin Isakhan and Peter E. Mulherin

MENA Asia Project

Aug 14, 2018

Mihir Bhatt

India and the Middle East: Toward Building Joint Knowledge on Managing Sand and Dust Storms

Aug 14, 2018

Mihir Bhatt

This essay discusses the circumstances and consequences of several severe, destructive dust storms that recently took place in India. It argues that Middle Eastern countries, among others, have been experiencing similar, recurring disasters. It further argues that there is both a need and scope for collaborative approaches to mitigating the adverse effects of sand and dust storms. And it offers key recommendations for advancing a joint Indian-Middle Eastern agenda to address this challenge.
Aug 7, 2018

John Calabrese

Oman’s Transition to a Post-Oil Economy: Arching Toward Asia

Aug 7, 2018

John Calabrese

The development of Duqm Port and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is at the forefront of Oman’s efforts to transition to a post-oil economy. The Malaysian economic transformation management model, the Singaporean example of achieving prosperity through combining free trade and business-friendly policies with its role as a trans-shipment and logistics hub, and an initial infusion of substantial Chinese investment capital and project participation all have played central roles in how this process has unfolded — and will likely remain key determinants of its future progress.
Jul 23, 2018

Mohammed Sinan Siyech and Nazneen Mohsina

Anti-India Sentiments in South Asia: Terrorist Recruitment Narratives

Jul 23, 2018

Mohammed Sinan Siyech and Nazneen Mohsina

India’s strategic choices in South Asia have prompted it to interfere in the domestic affairs of some of its neighbors. As a result, India has become a part of domestic politics of most of its neighboring states where anti-India sentiment is often used to bolster the nationalist credentials of various political formations. Importantly, such sentiments have been leveraged by Jihadist groups — especially those operating in Pakistan and Bangladesh — to shore up support for themselves.
Jul 16, 2018

Abbas Assi

The Sectarian Dimension of the Syrian Civil War and Lebanese-Syrian Relations

Jul 16, 2018

Abbas Assi

The eruption of conflict between the Syrian regime and the armed opposition exacerbated the political and sectarian divisions within the Lebanese government, causing it to sever relations with Damascus and dissociate itself from the war. Nevertheless, the Lebanese government eventually was forced to coordinate with the Assad regime in order to manage the refugee crisis and other spillover effects of the conflict. Beirut’s dealings with Damascus reflect the overarching aim of mitigating the impact of the war on the relations between the Lebanese Sunni and Shiite communities.
Jul 9, 2018

Faried F. Saenong

Embracing Moderation: Egypt’s al-Azhar and Indonesia’s Pesantren

Jul 9, 2018

Faried F. Saenong

Many segments of Indonesian Islam today have been directly influenced by Egyptian interpretations of Islam, which is predominantly colored by al-Azhar institutions. This article explores individual and institutional links between al-Azhar and several local Islamic institutions in Indonesia, notably those in South Sulawesi.
Jul 2, 2018

Hiddai Segev

China’s Ambivalent Attitude Towards Judaism

Jul 2, 2018

Hiddai Segev

This article aims to put a spotlight on the status of Judaism in China and the actors who promote its agendas. It discusses Chinese and Israeli attempts to promote Judaism within China. And it shows that Chinese authorities, owing to domestic and foreign policy considerations, appear committed to leaving the status of the Jewish religion within the country unchanged.

IranObserved

Aug 17, 2018

Mona Alami

Is Iran replicating Lebanon model in southern Syria?

Aug 17, 2018

Mona Alami
Jul 23, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iraqi Hezbollah threatens retaliation against U.S. if Israel attacks Iranian assets in Iraq

Jul 23, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Jul 20, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran and Afghanistan at loggerheads over water

Jul 20, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Jul 20, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran and Pakistan agree to bolster defense ties and jointly produce military hardware

Jul 20, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar
Jul 5, 2018

Mona Alami

Hezbollah allegedly training Nigerian Shiites to expand influence in West Africa

Jul 5, 2018

Mona Alami
Jul 3, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups dial up anti-U.S. propaganda

Jul 3, 2018

Ahmad Majidyar

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