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Jul 31, 2020

The American moment: Creating a new balance of power in Syria

By Ayman Abdel Nour and Dania Koleilat Khatib

The United States should seize this moment on changes in the Syrian landscape to create a new balance of power in Damascus.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jul 31, 2020

The Syrian parliamentary elections were a mockery

By Michel Duclos

All in all, the July 19 result was not great for the Bashar al-Assad regime, but the veneer of a normal election was achieved, especially given that the low turnout could be excused by the pandemic.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy

MENASource

Jul 30, 2020

Syria’s inconsequential 2021 presidential elections must be ignored

By Jomana Qaddour and Danny al-Baaj

Russia and the United States will still have to contend with Iranian influence and its far more substantial ground presence in Syria.

Politics & Diplomacy Syria

MENASource

Jul 30, 2020

Iran-Syria air defense pact could cause Russian-Iranian friction

By Mark N. Katz

Neither Damascus nor Tehran has been happy about Moscow’s unwillingness to enable themselves or Syria to halt Israeli attacks. The signing of the Iran-Syria air defense pact, though, may change this.

Iran Middle East

MENASource

Jul 23, 2020

Iranian foreign minister’s visit aggravates Iraqi-Saudi rapprochement

By Abbas Kadhim

All the details were carefully planned for Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s first foreign tour since taking office. Saudi Arabia, strongly supported by the United States, was selected as the first destination for the untested Iraqi leader, who is facing insurmountable challenges on the home front. Kadhimi is eagerly looking for quick accomplishments to build […]

Economy & Business Iran

MENASource

Jul 21, 2020

Lebanon’s fate appears to be irreversibly tied to Syria

By Mona Alami

With hope for any solution dimming every day, and as Lebanon and Syria’s fate becomes increasingly intertwined, the situation in Beirut will grow more desperate.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Jul 20, 2020

Amidst the pandemic, Hezbollah buries fighters killed in Syria

By Lizzie Porter

Multiple additional combatant deaths have been reported by media outlets close to Hezbollah since the COVID-19 lockdown, pointing to its continued engagement in military combat and training activities.

Lebanon Middle East

MENASource

Jul 17, 2020

Kadhimi’s moment: Controlling Iraq’s militias

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The July 6, 2020 assassination of Hisham al Hashimi, a well-known political analyst who criticized Iraq’s sectarian politics, represented the loss of someone who made meaningful contributions to Iraq’s recovery and reconciliation efforts towards recovery and reconciliation. Hashimi’s death also represented an escalation that threatens to bring back the gang-like violence Iraq experienced from 2004 to 2008.

Iraq Middle East

MENASource

Jul 15, 2020

Iran isn’t the only Middle Eastern country in a unique partnership with China

By Jonathan Fulton

China has deeply entrenched interests across the region and mature relationships with many relevant Arab countries, most of which do not look favorably upon Iran.

China Middle East

MENASource

Jul 14, 2020

After the coronavirus and low oil prices, Oman’s future is more global

By Phillip Cornell

With the onset of COVID-19 and an economic crisis that is bound to accelerate history, Oman’s commitment to steady progress and political neutrality will face new tests and leverage the country’s wider global relationships.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy