Our Hardliners Are Still Helping Iran’s Hardliners

by Paul R. Pillar The unrelenting urge among American politicians to keep punishing Iran—or more precisely, to be seen supporting steps with that objective—continues to work against sensible statecraft and U.S. interests in multiple respects. One of those respects concerns… Continue Reading

Israel’s “50 Most Influential Women”—Not a Single Arab

by Samah Salaime Last week the Israeli magazine Lady Globes (put out by business daily Globes) published its list of Israel’s 50 most influential women for 2016. Although it remains unclear what it takes for a woman to make the list — not… Continue Reading

Ending the Iran-Saudi Cold War

by Seyed Hossein Mousavian and Sina Toossi In January, Saudi Arabia severed formal diplomatic ties with Iran after a row over its execution of a prominent Shia cleric ended with angry protestors attacking its Tehran embassy. Diplomacy has since been… Continue Reading

Wayward Airstrike Puts Syrian Ceasefire on Brink

by Derek Davison A ceasefire that went into effect throughout Syria on September 12 may now be on the verge of collapse. On Saturday, a U.S. airstrike near the eastern city of Deir ez-Zor struck Syrian government forces, reportedly killing… Continue Reading

Contesting the U.S.-Saudi Bromance With 1,000 Cuts

by Robert Naiman On September 8, Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Al Franken (D-MN) introduced a bipartisan resolution, SJ Res 39, to disapprove the $1.15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia notified to Congress… Continue Reading