In The News

New York Times: Trump Pardons Saudi Arabia

Mark Mazzetti and Ben Hubbard November 22, 2018
For the US president, only his opinion matters as he regularly ignoring professionals with years of experience. The latest example is Donald Trump dismissing a finding by US intelligence agencies that the Saudi Crown Prince ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi diplomatic consulate. “Trump has long viewed foreign policy as a series of business deals, stripped of values and...

Foreign Affairs: The Next Arab Uprising

Marwan Muasher November 21, 2018
The Arab Spring uprisings, the low price of oil and the disregard for human rights as displayed by the murder of a journalist in a Saudi diplomatic consulate – ordered by the Saudi crown prince, according to the US Central Intelligence Agency – is prompting nations and businesses around the globe to reassess stability of the Middle East. Likewise, citizens living in the region under authoritarian...

Haaretz: Airbnb and West Bank Settlements

Noa Landau, Yotam Berger and Jack Khoury November 21, 2018
Most of the world has condemned the Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank for complicating peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Airbnb is removing rental listings of West Bank Jewish settlements, reports Haaretz, and Israel has countered by restricting the company’s operations nationwide, calling the removal “discriminatory.” The decision affects about 200 listings. Israel also...

The Economist: Oman Welcomes Netanyahu

November 19, 2018
As exemplified by Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s visit to the Arab Gulf, the relationship between Israel and Gulf states has undergone a distinct improvement in recent years. Netanyahu’s Gulf visit marks the first by an Israeli prime minister in more than 20 years. The Economist reports that responses to photographs of Netanyahu’s reception by Sultan Qaboos of Oman in Muscat, and of...

BBC: Israel-Gaza Violence Erupts

November 13, 2018
Palestinians and Israelis exchanged rocket fire in Gaza after Hamas militants stopped an Israeli unit’s vehicle a few kilometers inside the Gaza strip, apparently exposing an intelligence-gathering mission. “Due to the secrecy of the operation, Israel has not revealed specific details about the mission,” reports BBC News. “The IDF said, however, that the operation was ‘not intended to kill or...

Brookings: Saudi Arabia’s War in Yemen

Daniel L. Byman and Michael E. O’Hanlon November 2, 2018
A journalist's murder in a Saudi diplomatic consulate raises questions about the country’s leadership, goals and methods in all areas. The Brookings Institution’s Daniel Byman and Michael O’Hanlon question how the United States might punish Saudi Arabia as both countries are “locked in a relationship” of mutual dependence. Punishment could range from temporary visa bans and canceling summits...

The Economist: Saudi Arabia’s Alliances Tested

October 28, 2018
The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey has put pressure on the US government to reassess its relationship with Saudi Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammad bin Salman. However, Donald Trump may be willing to look the other way as the crown prince continues to shield himself from blame over Khashoggi’s death. Turkey is making “a whitewash more difficult” and “Its investigators...