Is Wahhabism to Blame for al-Qaeda and ISIS?

by Joseph Cozza and Giorgio Cafiero Late last month, Microsoft apologized after online users observed that Bing’s translation of Daesh—what many Arabs call the Islamic State (ISIS or IS)—was “Saudi Arabia.” According to Microsoft’s official apology, Bing relies on a… Continue Reading

There Is No Military Path to Victory in Afghanistan

by Rajan Menon Few will say it, but the facts are indisputable: America’s war in Afghanistan has failed. There comes a time when persisting in a lost cause amounts to foolishness, indeed irresponsibility. That time has arrived. Washington’s minimal goals… Continue Reading

Calling Iranians “Descendants of the Magi” Is Actually a Compliment

by Shireen T. Hunter Recently, the chief mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdul Aziz Al Sheikh, said that Iranians are Majus. This is the Arab name for Iran’s Zoroastrians, who were the majority of the people at the time of the… Continue Reading

On the Eve of Hajj, Saudi and Iranian Officials Try to Define “Muslim”

by Derek Davison Top Iranian and Saudi officials traded barbs earlier this week over who is and isn’t a true Muslim, deepening the Middle East’s most prominent, longest-running, and deadliest diplomatic crisis. On September 6, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz… Continue Reading

What Have We Learned About Combating Terrorism after 9/11?

by Emile Nakhleh As our country commemorates the fifteenth anniversary of the horrendous terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, let’s identify some important lessons and learn from them. Otherwise, as Osama bin Ladin predicted nearly two decades ago, the nation would be… Continue Reading