Fragility of Middle East Alliances Becomes Ever More Apparent

by James M. Dorsey Three recent developments lay bare the fragility of Middle Eastern alliances and a rebalancing of their priorities: the Russian-Turkish compromise on an assault on the rebel-held Syrian region of Idlib, the fate of troubled Abu Dhabi airline Ettihad,… Continue Reading

Trump’s Two-State Solution: News That Was No News

by James J. Zogby If we’ve learned anything about President Donald Trump it’s that for him words have no meaning, or at least not their obvious meaning. Because he’s a performer/salesman, he loves being on stage, knowing that the things… Continue Reading

Saudi and Emirati Stakes in China’s Ascendancy

by Giorgio Cafiero and Bridgett Neff Although the United States remains an extremely powerful force in the Middle East, the strategically flawed and disastrous invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, the financial crash of 2008, and the chaotic fallout… Continue Reading

Russian-Israeli Conflict in the Skies of Syria

by Paul R. Pillar The sudden ruffling of Israeli-Russian relations over the accidental shootdown by Syria of a Russian surveillance aircraft, killing 15 crew members, is the sort of incident apt to happen when a modus vivendi joins parties with… Continue Reading