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New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2016

US Disengagement from Middle East ‘Raises a Question About American Values’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

On the eve of the US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit in Riyadh on April 21, Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President of the Emirates Policy Center in Abu Dhabi, discusses key challenges in the United States’ relationship with its Arab Gulf partners, the cost of US disengagement, and the Iranian threat. Ebtesam Al-Ketbi shared her views in an […]

International Organizations Iran

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

At What Point is a Cessation of Hostilities Broken?

By Faysal Itani and Hossam Abouzahr

For several weeks, the cessation of hostilities (COH) in Syria led to a significant and widespread decline in violence. This gave the impression that parties to the Syrian conflict and their foreign sponsors had somehow reached a lasting ceasefire, against all odds. In truth, however, and quite apart from the expected sporadic violations, serious fighting […]

Syria

MENASource

Apr 19, 2016

The Missing Multilateralism: Building Institutional Relations between the US and the GCC

By Jessica Ashooh

Ahead of President Barack Obama’s visit to the GCC Summit in Riyadh, the focus from the White House is all on the immediate. In what is likely the last trip to the Gulf of the Obama presidency, issues like the war against the Islamic State (ISIS) and Iranian regional activities dominate. The agenda for the […]

International Organizations Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Apr 19, 2016

‘Vague’ Requests for Help Will Hinder Effort to Stabilize Libya

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Karim Mezran says new government in Tripoli risks falling into the same trap as its predecessors Vague requests for assistance by the United Nations-backed government in Libya will undermine Western governments’ ability to stabilize the North African nation that has been plunged in chaos since the ouster of its longtime leader Moammar Gadhafi […]

Libya

Bremain vs Brexit

Apr 19, 2016

TTIP & Trade in Action – April 13, 2016

By Global Business & Economics Program

Secretary of State John Kerry concluded a global trip in Los Angeles this week and spoke at the Pacific Council on International Trade to defend international free trade deals, criticizing the current presidential candidates for playing up on “fear and anger.”

Central Europe Eastern Europe

MENASource

Apr 19, 2016

Three Questions That Could Make or Break Yemen’s Peace Talks

By Daniel DePetris

The beginning of a UN-mediated ceasefire in Yemen on April 10 comes at a critical time for Yemeni, Gulf Arab, and UN diplomats. For the first time since December 2015, the warring parties are preparing for the resumption of comprehensive, face-to-face peace talks. As it stands, the talks have already been delayed due to ongoing […]

Saudi Arabia Yemen

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

The Golan Heights: Israeli Forever?

By Frederic C. Hof

On April 17, 2016 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “The time has come after 40 years for the international community to finally recognize that the Golan Heights will remain forever under Israeli sovereignty.…The Golan Heights will always stay in Israeli hands. Israel will never leave the Golan Heights.” Although similar statements by Israeli leaders […]

Syria

MENASource

Apr 19, 2016

What Egypt’s Red Sea Island Protests Mean

By H.A. Hellyer

Thousands of protesters gathered in Cairo and elsewhere on April 15 to demonstrate against the transfer of two islands from Egyptian control to Saudi Arabia. They were the largest non-Islamist demonstrations since the forced removal of former president, Mohamed Morsi, in 2013 by the military. Then, as Defense Minister, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was proclaimed as […]

North Africa

IranSource

Apr 19, 2016

US Can Do More to Help Iran’s Private Sector

By Barbara Slavin

More than 100 days after the Iran nuclear deal was implemented, Iranians are impatient to see more economic results.

Iran

SyriaSource

Apr 19, 2016

#5YearsWeFled: Smuggler’s Discount on Our Lives

By Ayman Jalwan

This series is from interviews with the lawyer Ayman Jalwan. It highlights the difficult choice that Syrians face—dying in the war zone that Syria had become, or flee the land he loved. Last year, he and his wife said goodbye to their families and joined the wave of citizens leaving the country. First they had […]

Syria