In The News

Limits of Russian Strategy in Middle East: RAND

Becca Wasser December 3, 2019
Russia, trying to restore its great power status, accrues influence in the Middle East. “Both the unrest in Syria and the Arab Spring presented Russia with the opportunity to increase its engagement in the region and were accompanied by a rapid uptick in Russian economic and political activities across the region,” explains Becca Wasser for RAND. Shared interest in selling fossil fuels helps, yet...

Saudi Arabia’s Aramco IPO and Peace: Ozy

Sanjay Kapoor November 28, 2019
Trade is supposed to help secure peace, though trade in oil has been linked to war. So analysts mull over Saudi Arabia’s plans for the world’s largest initial public offering. The Saudi Aramco IPO announcement followed soon after the September 14 drone attack on a refinery in Abqaiq. Investors expect stability and so Saudi Arabia, unlike the United States and Israel, did not rush to blame Iran. “...

Restore Internet for Iran? Deutsche Welle

Fabian Schmidt November 25, 2019
Blocking most of the internet within Iran’s borders was the government's response to nationwide protests over a rise in fuel prices. The US ambassador to Germany suggests that the United States and European Union could restore internet access, and he called on tech and telecom companies to provide service. Limited communications could be available with the help of secret servers, explains...

Netanyahu Indicted: Times of Israel

Raoul Wootliff November 21, 2019
Israel’s attorney general announced that charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust will be filed against Benjamin Netanyahu. This comes as both Netanyahu and opponent Benny Gantz failed to form a coalition government. Netanyahu describes the charges as false, calling for an independent commission to investigate the investigators. “He brushed off calls for him to resign so he can deal with his...

Lawful Settlements in West Bank? New York Times

Lara Jakes and David M. Halbfinger November 19, 2019
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reversed 40 years of US policy by suggesting Israeli settlements in the West Bank do not violate international law. The move dashes Palestinian hopes for a peace settlement providing land for their own state. The New York Times suggests the internet is to influence politics in Israel, lending support to Benjamin Netanyahu and prompting need for a third election....

US Allies, Trump and Syria: Atlantic

Uri Friedman November 15, 2019
The United States withdrew about 50 US Special Forces from Syria in October and “generated a wave of angst across the world about the United States unceremoniously dumping its allies and terminating the international system it has led for more than 70 years,” writes Uri Friedman for the Atlantic. The abrupt, chaotic withdrawal compounded a humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of Kurds have died, more...

US Security Aid For Lebanon Withheld: Reuters

Patricia Zengerle and Mike Stone November 2, 2019
The US House of Representatives has launched an impeachment inquiry for suspending military aid to Ukraine, which is fighting Russian aggression at its eastern border. US officials report that the Trump administration is also withholding $105 million in military aid for Lebanon, reports Reuters. Amid protests over corruption, Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri resigned on October 29. “...