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MENASource

Nov 19, 2019

Leaked Iranian intelligence about Iraq only tells part of the story

By C. Anthony Pfaff

The recent story in the New York Times on leaked Iranian intelligence reports about Iranian influence operations in Iraq elicits a couple of possible reactions. If one works for the United States government, particularly in any department or bureau that deals with Iraq, one would be reasonable to feel some gratitude not only that the […]

Intelligence Iran

IranSource

Nov 19, 2019

Iran protests: Something has to give

By Kevjn Lim

At midnight on November 15, the Iranian government announced it was hiking petrol prices by at least 50 percent. Although the government justified the measure—itself part of badly-needed structural reforms—as a means of generating cash handouts for 60 million of the country’s poorest citizens (or 75 percent of the population), it triggered large-scale protests across […]

Iran Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2019

Pompeo’s Israeli settlements announcement could imperil Middle East peace chances

By David A. Wemer

"The realignment of long-standing US government policy foreshadows the promised, if long delayed, release of President Trump's vision for regional peace, intimating that the blueprint may countenance the extension of Israeli sovereignty to communities whose existence has, until now, been considered illegal per US interpretation of international law," Shalom Lipner says.

Conflict Israel

IranSource

Nov 18, 2019

Iran protests: A quest for reform turns into widespread discontent

By Giorgia Perletta

Popular protests are flaring up in the Middle East. From Lebanon to Iraq and now Iran, they show the weakening of the social contract between the population and their government. In the Islamic Republic, the post-revolutionary social contract was born on a populist promises of justice, but decades of endemic political and economic inefficiencies wiped […]

Iran Middle East

SyriaSource

Nov 18, 2019

After the Syria withdrawal, it’s time the US rethinks the use of proxy forces

By Mona Alami

Proxy warfare is a 21st century military playbook utilized by great powers, like Russia, and the United States with some using it better than others.

Security & Defense Syria

MENASource

Nov 18, 2019

Explainer: Iraq’s autumn of discontent

By Christiana Haynes

Waves of protests have hit Iraq this past October and November, calling for the resignation of the post-war government and sweeping changes. Last month alone, there have been reports of hundreds of protesters killed and thousands wounded by security forces in clashes across the country, from Tahrir Square in Baghdad to cities like Diwaniyah, Najaf, […]

Corruption Iraq
Nord Stream pipe

EnergySource

Nov 18, 2019

Nord Stream 2 poses challenges but also means opportunity for the European Union

By Martin Jirušek

With the Nord Stream 2 (NS2) pipeline’s completion date on the horizon, it is becoming apparent that the European Union (EU) is struggling to agree on how the project should be handled. What are the challenges and opportunities the situation present?

European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security

UkraineAlert

Nov 15, 2019

The Normandy Summit is finally on

By Bohdan Nahaylo

Ukraine’s representatives have pledged to give the moribund Normandy Four format one last chance.

Civil Society Conflict

New Atlanticist

Nov 15, 2019

Australian government takes aim at foreign influence in universities

By John T. Watts

As China’s regional ambitions grow and its attempts to influence regional policies becomes more aggressive, universities are becoming a contested space. There are increasing concerns that Australian universities are becoming over-reliant on the funding associated with Chinese students studying there, and actively limiting activities on campus because they may upset both the Chinese students and authorities.

Australia China

New Atlanticist

Nov 15, 2019

A crisis of commitment in the Middle East. But whose?

By Kirsten Fontenrose

While US actions are causing confusion about Washington's commitment, regional actions are also calling into question the region’s commitment to its relationship with the United States and to its own stability.

Middle East Politics & Diplomacy
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