Israel Takes Aim at UNESCO, Again

by Mitchell Plitnick Israel and the United States have once again turned their fire on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). At issue this time is the decision by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee to recognize the Old… Continue Reading

It’s Time for Washington and Riyadh to Defuse the War Hysteria

by Emile Nakhleh The ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and Qatar, the devastating Saudi-led offensive in Yemen, the bellicose rhetoric towards Iran, the fracturing of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the regional involvement in the bloody Syrian civil war, are… Continue Reading

Country Managers Make Post-Sanctions Iran Work

by Esfandyar Batmanghelidj On July 3, Patrick Pouyanné, the imposing, former rugby-playing CEO of Total, arrived in Tehran to sign a landmark $5 billion contract to develop Phase 11 of Iran’s South Pars gas field in cooperation with the China… Continue Reading

Erik Prince to Prince bin Zayed: The Private Military Connection

by David Isenberg In 2014, retired Gen. James Mattis, now secretary of defense, reportedly referred to the United Arab Emirates as “Little Sparta.” He was favorably comparing the UAE to the historic Greek city-state, known for its military prowess, especially… Continue Reading