Baghdadi’s Alive, and So Is Islamic State’s Narrative

by Giorgio Cafiero On April 29, the so-called caliph of Islamic State (ISIS or IS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, appeared in an 18-minute propaganda video published by Al Furqan media network. In his first public appearance since the summer of 2014,… Continue Reading

EU in the Middle East: Punching Below the Weight

by Eldar Mamedov At the end of May, citizens across the European Union will elect a new European Parliament for the next five years. The outcome of these elections will determine the future direction of the EU. By the end… Continue Reading

Arab Protests 2.0

by James M. Dorsey Momentous developments across Arab North and East Africa suggest the long-drawn-out process of political transition in the region as well as the greater Middle East is still in its infancy. So does popular discontent in Syria… Continue Reading

The Trickiness of Syria’s Return to the Arab League

by Imad K. Harb The thirtieth regular summit of the League of Arab States that is scheduled for March 31 in Tunisia may have dodged a bullet by deciding not to consider Syria’s reinstatement to its seat. Many other issues… Continue Reading