Nuclear Deal: How Iran Could Enhance Regional Stability

by Emile Nakhleh Much has been written about the Iran nuclear deal and the threats that a post-sanctions Iran could pose for the region. This fear is primarily driven by Saudi Arabia’s pathological obsession that a resurgent Iran would eclipse… Continue Reading

Saudi Arabia’s Quagmire

by Thomas W. Lippman Three months after Saudi Arabia rounded up a few allies and began an intensive bombing campaign against the rebels known as Houthis across the border in Yemen, a conventional wisdom has developed. “It has not worked,”… Continue Reading

A Tiny But Positive Step in the Middle East

by Thomas W. Lippman In the unending panorama of violence that is today’s Middle East, one hopeful note emerged earlier this month with a low-key announcement from Saudi Arabia that drew scant attention from the American news media. King Salman… Continue Reading

Why Is the Islamic State So Resilient?

by Emile Nakhleh As the Islamic State continues to conquer territory in Iraq and Syria, and as the Assad regime teeters on collapse and the Iraqi government loses credibility, many in the West are wondering why the Islamic State (ISIS… Continue Reading

Tikrit Battle Revives Doubts About Iraqi Leaders

by Wayne White A desperate Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi last week requested US air support to jumpstart Iraq’s stalled offensive in Tikrit. Many observers describe this as an American triumph. Yet, Abadi’s initial choice to ignore Washington’s concerns and… Continue Reading