by Nicolai Due-Gundersen The year 2014 was a difficult one for the Middle East but an interesting one for Russia. While the Muslim world watched the rise of the Islamic State (IS or ISIS), Russian President Vladimir Putin was reversing… Continue Reading
by International Crisis Group Today’s standoff between the U.S. and Iran is reminiscent of tensions on the eve of World War I. A small incident could blow up into region-spanning conflict. Third-party mediation is urgently needed to begin de-escalation that… Continue Reading
by Gregory Aftandilian Although uncertainties abound regarding the future of Syria, various players are maneuvering to consolidate and enhance their positions there, or at least to hedge their bets. Alliances such as those between Iran and Russia now appear to… Continue Reading
by Mariam Iskajyan For the thousands of Syrians currently living in the United States through temporary immigration protections, this week is filled with fear and uncertainty. The Trump administration has said that it will determine by August 1st whether it… Continue Reading
by Helena Cobban This week, Mideast watchers have been breathlessly awaiting the arrival in NATO member Turkey of the first of the two batteries of Russian-made S-400 air defense systems that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan purchased from Russia in… Continue Reading