Original essays, research notes, and reports
In a striking illustration of instrumentalism and moral fluidity, a recent 60 Minutes segment aired by CBS News introduces the world to Ahmed al-Sharaa — a man once buried in the shadows of terrorism, now stepping into the light of political legitimacy. Just decades ago, al-Sharaa was a senior member of al-Qaeda who went by Read more
Continue Reading
The mutual defense pact signed on September 17, 2025, between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan is more than a symbolic gesture of friendship between two long-time partners. It marks a turning point in the security architecture of the Middle East and South Asia, signaling that old assumptions about dependence on external protectors, sectarian divisions, and regional alliances are Read more
Continue Reading
The recent remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader, who described uranium enrichment as an “inviolable right,” have drawn a clear line. This position highlights the fundamental dilemma in the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States: either the U.S. acknowledges Iran’s sovereign right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes — which could introduce a new Read more
Continue Reading
The recent developments surrounding former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa—formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—and his transformation from a wanted terrorist leader into a sitting president welcomed by the President of the United States illustrate a deeply troubling fact in international relations: the arbitrary use of the “terrorism” label and economic sanctions as tools of political convenience Read more
Continue Reading
What happens in SWANA will not Stay in SWANA by Ahmed Souaiaia Abstract: The ongoing crises in Syria and Turkey are deeply intertwined with broader regional dynamics, including the ongoing instability in the Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. This article analyzes these events through the lens of the Systems Thinking Framework (STF), which Read more
Continue Reading
The crisis in Syria has evolved into a multifaceted conflict with significant implications for the country’s territorial integrity. The ongoing violence, driven by internal power struggles and exacerbated by external interventions, raises concerns about the potential fragmentation of Syria along sectarian and ethnic fault lines. Unless regional players adopt a more strategic and long-term vision, Read more
Continue Reading
The Crisis in Syria and Al Jazeera’s Bias: A Case Study of Media Framing and Sectarian Narratives The Syrian conflict, spanning more than a decade, has been a focal point for global media coverage. Among the most prominent news networks reporting on Syria is Aljazeera (Aljazeera.net), a Qatari state-owned media outlet that has been repeatedly Read more
Continue Reading
by Ahmed Souaiaia Since the start of the protest movement popularly known as the Arab Spring in 2011, all countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) have been impacted and the level of change in each of these countries depended on domestic, regional and global factors. However, there is one variable that established itself Read more
Continue Reading
by Hatem Najjar In 2022, Josep Borell, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, triggered a controversy by saying that Europe was a garden of prosperity and “most of the rest of the world” was a jungle. Some accused him of tone-deafness and racism. He defended his statement saying that his “reference Read more
Continue Reading
By Ahmed E. Souaiaia * Peoples of the Islamic world are quite familiar with the doctrine of “Shock and Awe” as understood and deployed by Colin Powell, a General in US Military the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the execution of US wars in Southwest Asia and North Africa, especially in Iraq Read more
Continue Reading