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MENASource

Jan 25, 2021

Region’s economies will benefit from Gulf-Qatar deal

By Tim Fox

The embargo had a significant negative impact on Qatar’s economy first and foremost, but it also had indirect consequences across the Gulf, and these were ultimately in part responsible for the decision to bring the dispute to a close.

Middle East The Gulf

MENASource

Jan 21, 2021

What MENA leaders should expect from the Biden administration

By David Mack

MENA governments should pay careful attention to shifting priorities and policy agendas if they aim to maintain or improve relations with Washington.

Middle East

MENASource

Jan 20, 2021

Fragmentation and perceived bias: The shortcomings of US policy towards tribes in Syria

By Haian Dukhan and Ammar Alhamad

The fragmentation and divisions that plague the Arab tribal population in northeastern Syria played a major role in the US’s decision not to rely primarily on tribal auxiliaries in its fight against ISIS.

Middle East Syria

MENASource

Jan 15, 2021

Why immunity for MBS should be off the table

By Michael Eisner and Jack Steele

American laws that allow for rogue royal princes like MBS to be held accountable for gross human rights violations, such as extrajudicial killing and torture, protect Americans and American values.

Middle East The Gulf

MENASource

Jan 12, 2021

Oman designates a crown prince, a first for the country

By Marc J. Sievers

January 11 marked the first anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tareq’s selection as the successor to Sultan Qaboos bin Said. While there were no official celebrations, the government marked the event with a series of announcements and many Omanis congratulated the Sultan on the first anniversary of his rule.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 11, 2021

Experts react: The United States designates Houthi rebels as a Foreign Terrorist Organization

By Atlantic Council

On January 11, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States is designating Yemen’s Houthi rebel group Ansar Allah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Atlantic Council experts react to the designation and what it means for the wider region.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 11, 2021

The Assad regime faces a Rubik’s Cube of challenges in 2021

By Nizar Mohamad and Abdulrahman al-Masri

The coming year will likely present the Bashar al-Assad regime with a perplexing stalemate as it attempts to navigate a political, economic, and security landscape beset with a Rubik’s Cube of challenges.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 8, 2021

The Biden administration’s Yemen imperative

By Nabeel Khoury

Ending the war in Yemen, which has raged for the past six years, would fulfill two stated goals of the incoming Joe Biden administration: restoring the United States’ leadership role in international affairs and reducing tensions in the Gulf.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jan 6, 2021

MENA’s post-COVID resilience depends on using the talent pool of women

By Nadereh Chamlou

In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where gender-based inequalities are many and deep-rooted, the concern for women’s setbacks could be more serious due to the pandemic.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Jan 4, 2021

A more serious agreement to end the Gulf rift would yield a bigger political payout for Saudi Arabia and the UAE

By Kirsten Fontenrose

Everyone wins if the rift ends now. Any later, and MBS loses his shot at immunity and the UAE loses its chance to please both political parties in the US. The time to act is this week.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy