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MENASource

Mar 30, 2021

Some advice to my Syrian and Syrian-American friends

By Frederic C. Hof

President Biden cannot do everything. Nor should he try. But what happens in Syria won’t stay there. It never has and never will. Still, advocates for an American policy in Syria focused on political transition must be sensitive, in their advocacy, to the policy priorities of an administration whose success would be vitally important to the US and the world.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

MENASource

Mar 25, 2021

‘It’s not a zero-sum game’: MENA officials agree that regional integration is key to growth

By Heba Malik

Atlantic Council’s empowerME initiative and the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies co-hosted an event that discussed strategies for building regional cooperation to create a more attractive investment landscape and productive entrepreneurial ecosystem. These are some key takeaways.

Economy & Business Middle East

MENASource

Mar 24, 2021

Assad is testing Biden. The US president must not fail.

By Frederic C. Hof

Regardless of what the Biden administration may wish to think or acknowledge, it may well be sitting for an initial examination administered by Bashar al-Assad—the teacher of many harsh lessons to American presidents. Failing the test will not be consequence-free.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 23, 2021

Weapons or food? Lebanon’s Armed Forces risk going hungry

By Nicholas Blanford

Prices of everyday goods have skyrocketed, businesses are shuttering, banks have slapped arbitrary capital controls on US dollar-denominated accounts, and the United Nations estimates that more than half of Lebanon’s population of six million live below the poverty line. Lebanon’s armed forces have been affected along with everybody else.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Mar 18, 2021

The real threat to modern Israel

By Dan Perry

The March 23 election could emerge as an inflection point because Haredi behavior during the coronavirus pandemic has underscored divisions, deepened mutual disdain, and convinced many Israelis things cannot continue as they are.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 17, 2021

Down the rabbit hole of Israel’s electoral wonderland

By Shalom Lipner

Nothing is certain at this point other than the fact that Israel's leadership is up for grabs. It will be ugly and could conceivably end in a stalemate.

Elections Israel

MENASource

Mar 16, 2021

The many paths to Syrian-Israeli reconciliation

By Samir Altaqi

A reported January meeting between several senior Syrian, Israeli, and Russian intelligence officers in Syria failed to advance bilateral discussions between the parties despite allegedly being attended by Bashar Al-Assad.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Mar 15, 2021

Here’s how Amman can boost women’s workforce participation

By Stefanie Hausheer Ali

Jordan must climb out of an economic pit exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. One key to promoting long-term economic growth is achieving greater female labor force participation.

Economy & Business Education

MENASource

Mar 12, 2021

Hezbollah is using propaganda to cover its deterrence deficit with Israel

By David Daoud

Hezbollah won’t necessarily suspend all operations against its archenemy, but it will have to deftly navigate both Lebanon’s predicaments and its support base’s expectations.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Mar 9, 2021

US, Israel, and GCC perspectives on China-MENA relations

By Jonathan Fulton, Eyal Propper, and Ahmed Fahmy

The Abraham Accords signed between the UAE and Bahrain and Israel consolidates the US-led regional alliance. However, they also underscore prospects for closer China-Gulf-Israel cooperation in the economic, trade, and technological spheres.

China Israel