All in-depth research & reports

Issue Brief

Oct 2, 2017

The roots and evolution of Iran’s regional strategy

By Suzanne Maloney

Understanding what drives Iran’s regional policies is crucial to confronting its challenges. In her new paper, entitled The Roots and Evolution of Iran’s Regional Strategy, Suzanne Maloney, deputy director of foreign policy and senior fellow for Middle East policy at the Brookings Institution, explores how the Islamic Republic operates throughout the Middle East, and the […]

Iran Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Sep 14, 2017

Revolution unveiled: A closer look at Iran’s presence and influence in the Middle East

By Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels

Revolution Unveiled: A Closer Look at Iran’s Presence and Influence in the Middle East, by Phillip Smyth, Tim Michetti, and Owen Daniels, pieces together snapshots of Iran’s influence in the region using photographic analysis, geolocation, social media monitoring, and other methods. Through four case studies, this report systematically examines new or lesser-known methods Iran employs […]

Iran Middle East

Issue Brief

Jul 11, 2017

Libya: From intervention to proxy war

By Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller

More than six years after Libya’s 2011 revolution against Muammar al-Qaddafi, the situation in the country is significantly more complex and dangerous. The failure of the 2011 NATO intervention to assist the country with a comprehensive stabilization process led to rapid deterioration on the ground and created an opportunity for external actors to pursue competing […]

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

Issue Brief

Jul 11, 2017

Libya: From intervention to proxy war

By Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller

In this issue brief, Dr. Karim Mezran and Elissa Miller explore the dynamics of regional and international actors most involved in Libya’s proxy conflict, as well as recent incidents of escalation that threaten to further destabilize the country.

Libya Politics & Diplomacy

Report

Jun 8, 2017

An independent actor: Turkish foreign energy policy toward Russia, Iran, and Iraq

By Aaron Stein

This report examines Turkish foreign and energy policy toward Russia, Iran, and Iraq. It is divided into three case studies in which the lessons learned from past Turkish decision making might help chart likely courses of actions vis-à-vis Ankara’s future energy relationship with all three countries. The case studies also consider potential impacts on American […]

Report

Mar 22, 2017

From the Gulf to the Nile: water security in an arid region

By Peter Engelke and Howard Passell

Fresh water is fundamental to human health, social development, peace, and economic growth everywhere in the world. Yet in a great many places, and for a great many people, clean freshwater is scarce. Current trends on both the supply and demand sides strongly suggest that clean freshwater availability will become more challenging in more places […]

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast. […]

Nuclear Energy Turkey

Issue Brief

Dec 21, 2016

Turkey’s nuclear program

By Aaron Stein

To decrease its heavy reliance on fossil fuels the Turkish government has made ambitious plans to increase its production of nuclear energy. It has reached tentative agreement with Russia and a Japanese-French consortium to build two nuclear power plants near Mersin on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast and in the Sinop District on the Black Sea coast.

Nuclear Energy Turkey

Report

Nov 21, 2016

Middle East Strategy Task Force: Politics, governance, and state-society relations

By Tamara Cofman Wittes

Investing in sustainable governance is important for the world and for the rising generation of young Arabs, who can either become a force for tremendous progress or a generation lost to violence and despair.

Civil Society Political Reform

Issue Brief

Oct 31, 2016

Aftermath of the Arab spring in North Africa

By Mohsin Khan and Karim Mezran

At the outset of the political uprisings that began in North Africa in 2010, the four countries of Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia faced similar economic and political challenges. Over the past almost six years, the countries have adopted different approaches to address these problems, however the overall economic picture today is grim amid varied […]

Economy & Business Libya