The Discontents of the Saudi “Moderate Islam” Project

by Eldar Mamedov Expanding on his vision of a new Saudi Arabia, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman (MBS) announced a pledge a few days ago to promote “moderate Islam” and “eradicate all remnants of extremism in the near future.”… Continue Reading

The EU on the JCPOA: Neither “Fix” nor Nix

by Eldar Mamedov When President Donald Trump announced his decision to “decertify” the nuclear deal with Iran in a speech on October 13, the EU´s reaction was swift and unambiguous. Minutes after Trump’s speech, the bloc´s foreign policy chief Federica… Continue Reading

Tajikistan: Saudi Revenge in Iran’s Backyard?

by Eldar Mamedov According to those who seek to contain Iran, it is supposedly building a new Persian empire in the regions where it has influence—the Persian Gulf, the wider Middle East, and Central Asia. Such accusations, besides mistakenly assuming… Continue Reading

Washington’s Counterproductive 4H Fixation in the Middle East

by Eldar Mamedov As the Trump administration projects uncertainty about its plans concerning the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, it has redoubled pressure on its European allies to push back against Iran on unrelated issues, such as… Continue Reading

European Parliament Opposes Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia

by Eldar Mamedov The European Parliament adopted today in Strasbourg a report on the implementation of the EU Common Position on Arms Export adopted in 2008. The motion, drafted by Bodil Valero, a Swedish member of the Green block, scrutinizes… Continue Reading