Essays
Iran P5+1 nuclear deal: Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — JCPOA (full text) — page 13
D. Nuclear Safety, Safeguards and Security 8. Nuclear safety E3/EU+3 parties, and possibly other states, as appropriate, are prepared to cooperate with Iran to establish a Nuclear Safety Centre in Iran, engage in workshops and training events in Iran to support interactions between Iranian nuclear regulatory authorities and those from the E3/EU+3 and elsewhere to, Read more
Continue ReadingThe controversial rule that benefited the Justice and Development Party now diminishes its chances to quickly form a government
by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Turkey’s democracy has had many pitfalls since the early days of the modern republic. The ruling elite, initially from the military and recently from the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP), have tweaked the rules of the game to exclude others and preserve their stay in power. Since 2002, Turkey’s powerful Read more
Continue ReadingWill the rulers of Saudi Arabia, and perhaps other GCC, fall and why?
by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Saudi rulers use war on Yemen to remain relevant The war on Yemen removed the last fig leaf and exposed the tools and advantages the rulers of Saudi Arabia have used for nearly a century to control its population and project power and influence outside the kingdom’s border. The first tool Read more
Continue ReadingSaudi Arabia’s attempt to create a Sunni-Shia sectarian war hinges on fragile alliances and a retrograde worldview
What is happening in Yemen and why? by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* In the post-Arab Spring Middle East, the rulers of Saudi Arabia see no place for neutrality. Their default position has become that declared by President Bush after 9/11: You are either with us or against us. Even the winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Read more
Continue ReadingThe rulers of the Gulf States are bent on destroying countries that refuse or escape their influence
Saudi Arabia and Yemen by Ahmed Souaiaia During the early days of the so-called Arab Spring, nervous for their own continued rule, the rulers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), led by the King of Saudi Arabia, proposed the expansion of the GCC to include Jordan and Morocco—but not Yemen. Yemen shares borders with two Read more
Continue ReadingSaudi and Qatari dilemma: Can they support al-Sisi in his war on ISIL and support ISIL in its war on Assad?
by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* GCC When Prince Salman became King Salman, world leaders wanted to know about the man now controlling the country that exports more oil than any other, Saudi Arabia. Several leading publications claimed that the 79 year old king suffers from serious chronic illnesses. The Economistproposed that his predecessor, King Read more
Continue ReadingSlaying, Slaughtering, and Burning: ISIL, the Cinematic Caliphate
By Islam Sakka* Watching the latest videos posted by the Islamic State in Syria and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS, IS), it is easy to see the changes in cinematic technique and the group’s choice of English as the main language. Their latest video, showing Jordanian pilot Moaz Kasasbeh being burned alive, sets a new Read more
Continue ReadingWhere is the Outrage?
Europe’s hypocrisy and latent racism displayed after the Paris attacks by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* On January 11, 2015, an estimated 1.6 million people walked the streets of Paris as part of a “unity march” in reaction to the recent attack in the French capital. Some 40 world leaders joined the march. Other high-profile individuals also Read more
Continue Reading“This is What the Arab Spring Looks Like”
Tunisia’s transition to representative governance brings hope to Arab Societies by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Four days after the fourth anniversary of the spark that ignited the fury of protests widely known as the Arab Spring, Tunisian voters reminded the world about what the Arab Spring is supposed to look like. The election of a Read more
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