Content

EnergySource

Jul 28, 2019

Gaming out the disaster: What could go wrong with the FSO Safer

By Dr. David Soud, Rohini Ralby, and Dr. Ian Ralby

In April, we sounded the alarm about how the Safer, an oil tanker converted into a floating storage and offloading facility (FSO) near the Red Sea coast of Yemen and filled with an estimated 1.1 million barrels of crude oil, was not only structurally deteriorating but might actually explode. In the past week, news outlets around […]

Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East

Inflection Points

Jul 27, 2019

Trump’s Iran moment

By Frederick Kempe

President Trump’s maximum pressure and Iran’s escalating responses have increased the risks of conflict. They have also brought a new chance of resolution that may become the most significant test yet of President Trump’s ability to transform his disruptive foreign policy into positive outcomes.

Iran

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Slavin quoted in Lobe Log on escalating Iran tensions

By Atlantic Council

Economic Sanctions Iran

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Mezran quoted in the Diplomat on China in North Africa

By Atlantic Council

International Markets North Africa

MENASource

Jul 26, 2019

The Christie’s Affair: The looting and sale of indigenous Egyptian artifacts

By Amal A. Kandeel and Noor Sullivan

This week, Egypt has commemorated the 67th anniversary of the expulsion of King Farouk, the last conduit for British control and exploitation of Egypt, and the establishment of the Egyptian republic. The generations who witnessed and participated in the struggle against imperial Britain are no longer alive. Yet widespread aversion to that earlier period still runs deep among Egyptian citizens and officials. 

North Africa

In the News

Jul 26, 2019

Mezran and Samet in The Diplomat: China Has Quietly Carved out a Foothold in North Africa

China Economy & Business

IranSource

Jul 26, 2019

Under US sanctions, Iran regional influence grows

By Kenneth Katzman

All US secondary sanctions on Iran’s core economic sectors were re-imposed by the Trump administration in November 2018 as a direct consequence of its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran

In the News

Jul 25, 2019

Uskowi quoted in the National Interest on Iran’s air force

By Atlantic Council

Defense Industry Defense Policy

MENASource

Jul 24, 2019

A passage to India: Israel’s pivot East

By Grace Wermenbol

As Israel gears up for an election do-over in September, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will once again look to foreign leaders to bolster his leadership potential and diplomatic experience.

India Israel

IranSource

Jul 24, 2019

Will the UK’s new prime minister take Trump’s side on Iran?

By Giorgio Cafiero and Andreas Krieg

In recent months, a host of developments have fueled significant tension between the United Kingdom and Iran. The UK Parliament’s decision to classify Lebanese militant group Hezbollah “in its entirety” as a terrorist organization earlier this year, London siding with the Trump administration against Iran in the June 20 drone incident, and the tanker detainment episodes in Gibraltar and the Strait of Hormuz this month have driven this downward trajectory in UK-Iran relations.

Iran

Experts