Al Qaeda and Iran: Enemies with Benefits

by Matthew Duss via USIP On April 22, Canadian authorities arrested two men who allegedly planned to derail a U.S.-bound passenger train. Officials said al Qaeda elements in Iran gave “direction and guidance” to Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, and Raed Jaser,… Continue Reading

No Quick Fix for Securing Syria’s Chemical Weapons

by Dina Esfandiary In a letter to Congress last week, the White House confirmed “with varying degrees of confidence” that chemical weapons had been used in Syria. This has led to a flurry of assertions that something must now be… Continue Reading

Kerry in the Mideast: Tilting at Windmills

by Mitchell Plitnick Who is John Kerry trying to fool? His repeated trips to the Middle East have produced no change in the status quo and prevented neither the resignation of the US’ golden boy in Palestine, Salam Fayyad, nor… Continue Reading