Libyan Crisis Fails to take Center Stage

by Wayne White Armed Islamist militants have gained ground rapidly in ongoing clashes in Libya, making an already serious situation a lot more ominous. A military attempt to crush the militants early this year has clearly backfired. Islamists are in… Continue Reading

New Sanctions Threaten Iran Nuclear Deal

by Esfandyar Batmanghelidj On Aug. 29 the US Treasury added 28 Iranian individuals and entities to its ever-expanding sanctions list. Expectedly, Tehran denounced the decision. “They are in conflict with the spirit of talks. They are unconstructive in my opinion,”… Continue Reading

Intervention in Libya, and It Wasn’t American

by Paul Pillar Last week the United Arab Emirates, aided by Egypt, conducted airstrikes against Islamist militias in Libya. The targeted forces are among the contestants in the surging turmoil and civil warfare in Libya. The airstrikes do not appear… Continue Reading

Qatar’s “Maverick” Foreign Policies

by Graham E. Fuller Speculation has run high over the past several years about what Qatar is up to in the Middle East. At first blanch its foreign policy seemingly contains a mass of contradiction: a Wahhabi state; good ties… Continue Reading

Nuclear Talks: Crisis Group Points the Way

by Peter Jenkins The talks to resolve concern about Iran’s nuclear program will resume in early September. The negotiators will have had time to read and reflect on a well-informed and wise report that the International Crisis Group (ICG) published… Continue Reading