Middle East

Stein Quoted in Vox on Turkey’s Anger at Saudi Arabia Over Khashoggi Murder

By Aaron Stein

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

EnergySource

Russia-Iran economic deal: Sanctions relief or political game?

By Sara Bazoobandi

In May, the US government announced it would unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and re-impose the sanctions previously lifted or waived. While the re-imposition of sanctions is certainly not welcomed by Iran, it is also nothing new. Iran has long struggled with various economic sanctions and the Iranian economy has […]

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

In the News

HA Hellyer in Newsweek: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince is Not Interested in Islamic Reform

By H.A. Hellyer

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

In the News

LeBaron in The National Interest: Beyond Short-Term Solutions in the Middle East and North Africa

By Richard LeBaron

Read the full article here.

Middle East

IranSource

ICJ Decision a Victory for Iranian Public Diplomacy

By Tahereh Hadian-Jazy

A recent decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding US sanctions against Iran is an important success story for the Islamic Republic. The ICJ decreed on October 3 that Washington must insure that its sanctions don’t adversely impact humanitarian goods or civil aviation safety in Iran. Even though the Trump administration rejected the […]

Iran

In the News

Carpenter Quoted in Washington Post on Saudi Industrial Hack

By Michael Carpenter

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets US President Donald J. Trump and Jared Kushner.

New Atlanticist

Oil, arms, and counterterrorism: A look at Saudi options and how far the Kingdom may go

By Nabeel Khoury

Given the wide opprobrium in the US Congress, media, and private sector, it is yet to be seen whether the West, particularly the United States, will punish Saudi Arabia with sanctions.

Economic Sanctions International Norms

SyriaSource

What is the future of HTS in Idlib?

By Hosam al-Jablawi

In mid-September, Russia and Turkey signed an agreement regarding Idlib province in northern Syria. The agreement establishes a nine to twelve mile demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the Syrian regime and opposition forces along Idlib’s border. As part of the deal, Turkey pledged to find a solution to extremist groups in the province, withdraw heavy weapons from the region, and evacuate any presence of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—an independent Salafi-jihadi group—fighters or moderate elements of the Syrian opposition by mid-October.

Syria

IranSource

Pompeo adds human rights to twelve demands for Iran

By Noah Annan

Talk of support for human rights in Iran is being amplified as harsh economic sanctions are hitting Iran’s energy and banking sectors. The Trump administration, however, blames Iran for the harm inflicted on its own people.

Iran

In the News

Greenwald Joins CNBC to Discuss US-Saudi Relations

By Michael Greenwald

Read the full article here.

Saudi Arabia

Experts

Fellow

Jonathan Green

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Industry

Fellow

Itai Melchior

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

Fellow

Nic Adams

Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Energy & Environment Middle East

Fellow

Rend Al-Rahim

Iraq Initiative Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Democratic Transitions

Fellow

Josh Kirshner