by Giorgio Cafiero Last October, Saudi Arabia’s Special Criminal Court sentenced Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr—a popular Shi’ite cleric and outspoken political dissident—to death. This was not an ordinary criminal trial, even considering Saudi Arabia’s liberal use of capital punishment. Among… Continue Reading
by Robert E. Hunter The recent Islamist terror attacks in Paris, plus thwarted plots in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe, have thrust the Middle East and its travails back to the top of the policymaking agenda in dramatic fashion. The… Continue Reading
by Wayne White Ever since the January 7-9 attacks in France, European leaders have been preoccupied with domestic security and not the challenge of the Islamic State (ISIS or IS) itself. However, driving their security problems is the core IS… Continue Reading
by Mitchell Plitnick In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, U.S. President Barack Obama stated once again, and quite firmly, that he would veto any new sanctions bill against Iran. Apparently, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives… Continue Reading
by David Shams After more than three decades of estrangement, the US and Iran aren’t likely to quickly normalize their relationship even if—which is still a big if—they reach a nuclear deal in the coming weeks or months. The animosity… Continue Reading