In The News

Obama Seeks to Repair Frayed Ties With Saudi Arabia

Ellen Knickmeyer, Maria Abi-Habib and Ahmed Al Omran March 31, 2014
US President Barack Obama visited Saudi Arabia, its key Arab ally in the region, reinforcing relations, but with no policy changes announced. Saudi Arabia had hoped to convince the United States to supply Syrian rebels with more weapons and move cautiously on renewing ties or lifting sanctions for Iran, a strong ally to the Assad regime. “The Obama administration's reluctance to authorize...

Turkey: Erdoğan Faces Twittering Opposition

Anna Beth Keim March 26, 2014
A desire for democracy – the ability to select one’s representatives, but also engage in informed debate on policies with compromise – may slowly take root in Turkey. Spring protests in Gezi Park gave way to harsh crackdown, a government corruption investigation in December and active debate over Twitter since, including leaks of recordings that led to resignations of ministers and growing...

Why "Iran Style" Sanctions Worked Against Tehran (And Why They Might Not Succeed With Moscow)

Suzanne Maloney March 24, 2014
In responding to global crisis or conflict, leaders must choose measures that have a reasonable chance of success. The United States and the European are applying sanctions against Russia in retaliation for the abrupt, forcible annexation of Crimea. Suzanne Maloney, a senior fellow with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, writing for Brookings, details conditions for how sanctions pushed...

Turkey's President Gul Challenges PM's Move to Ban Twitter

Rory Cellan-Jones March 21, 2014
Those who try to shoot messengers often appear guilty, frustrated and infuriated about getting caught. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to wipe out a social-media site and “took action against Twitter after some users had posted documents reportedly showing evidence of corruption relating to his office – a claim he denies,” reports Rory Cellan-Jones for BBC News. “His spokesman said Mr...

Turkey Approves Harsh New Internet Law

Joshua Hersh February 10, 2014
Turkey’s government has approved a law, which requires the president’s approval, imposing new regulations for the internet: “The law, which still requires final approval by the country's president, would permit the government to quickly shutter a website deemed inappropriate, and orders Internet companies to store traffic and other data for two years,” reports Joshua Hersh for the World Post...

WMD Risks in Civil War: What Syria Can Teach

Bennett Ramberg January 23, 2014
Civil war has raged in Syria since early 2011, and US President Barack Obama once said the regime’s use of chemical weapons would not be tolerated. The weapons were used in summer 2013, and the US struggled to win approval for a military strike as the international community realized that military force may not prevent WMD movement and could lead to prolonged war that would intensify civilian...

Will the Iran Nuclear Deal Thrive or Wither?

Dilip Hiro January 21, 2014
Iran and six world powers known as P5 + 1, led by the United States, have a narrow time frame for working out a permanent deal that ensures an end to Tehran's enriching weapons-grade uranium. A final accord requires the convergence of diverse interests of countries reaching critical mass, and such moments are rare in history, warns journalist and author Dilip Hiro. Iranians support an...