Tag: Middle East

Proposition for ending the crisis in Syria: concurrent devolution of power regionally and military action against genocidal fighters nationally

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Proposition for ending the crisis in Syria: concurrent devolution of power regionally and military action against genocidal fighters nationally

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia*   Syrians as refugees because of this level of destruction of their cities Politics is the art of compromise. Successful politicians rarely give ultimatums because doing so would limit their ability to navigate complex issues. In 2012, President Obama underestimated the complexity of the crisis in Syria. He drew a “red Read more

Continue Reading

Slaying, Slaughtering, and Burning: ISIL, the Cinematic Caliphate

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Slaying, 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 Reading

Iran’s emerging institutional power and its effect on negotiations with the United States

Ahmed SouaiaiaLeave a Comment on Iran’s emerging institutional power and its effect on negotiations with the United States

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia*   On the eve of the Republicans’ takeover of the U.S. Senate and increased control of the House, the Wall Street Journal revealed, on the authority of anonymous sources, that President Obama had sent “secret letter” to the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran took its time confirming it Read more

Continue Reading

Combating ISIL should not be America’s business, it is Saudi Arabia’s

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Combating ISIL should not be America’s business, it is Saudi Arabia’s

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* ISIL is a global threat but it is a bigger threat to the Middle East than to U.S. homeland. It is a bigger threat to Muslims than to Americans because, until now, the absolute majority of victims are Muslims. The U.S. could be part of a coalition that should combat ISIL Read more

Continue Reading

I know why I’m obsessed with Jews, but why are you?

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on I know why I’m obsessed with Jews, but why are you?

by David Palumbo-Liu* Knowing how public I’ve been in support of the call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctionsagainst the state of Israel, a Jewish colleague came up to me on campus one day to talk. “I know why I’m obsessed with Jews,” he said, “But why are you?”  I could hear both puzzlement and pain Read more

Continue Reading

Jabhat al-Nusra losing support among rebels, tribes in south Syria

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Jabhat al-Nusra losing support among rebels, tribes in south Syria

by Tarek Al-Abed  On May 7, Syria’s Daraa province witnessed three events. First, battles broke out in the western countryside and militants started advancing toward the province. Second, a march was staged in support of the regime, near the location where armed confrontations were underway. Third, tension between Jabhat al-Nusra and other armed groups escalated Read more

Continue Reading

To preview Syria’s future, consider Algeria today

Ahmed SouaiaiaLeave a Comment on To preview Syria’s future, consider Algeria today

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia*   Algeria was destined to become an African powerhouse. The largest country in the continent, it is populated by only 39 million people but endowed with huge natural resources: 159 trillion cubic feet (tcf) and 12.2 billion barrels of proven natural gas and oil reserves, respectively, and vast expanses of land, Read more

Continue Reading

What President Obama should tell the Saudi rulers?

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on What President Obama should tell the Saudi rulers?

by Ahmed E. Souaiaia*   President Obama On the same day when Saudi Arabia issued a royal decreecriminalizing Saudi citizens’ participation in the war in Syria (or joining Jihadi groups), the White House confirmed that President Obama will be visiting the Kingdom in March. It seems a reasonable assumption that during this v­isit, Obama will Read more

Continue Reading

Breaking the Cycle: Could Iranian and U.S. officials overcome their mutual distrust?

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Breaking the Cycle: Could Iranian and U.S. officials overcome their mutual distrust?

Breaking the Cycle: Could Iranian and U.S. officials overcome their mutual distrust? by Ahmed E. Souaiaia* Rafsanjani and Khatami After inking an interim agreement at the end of 2013, Iran and the P5+1 must now finalize a final nuclear agreement within six months. If they fail, U.S. and Iran will relive the cycle of mutual Read more

Continue Reading

Turkey’s lost and future opportunities in Syria

ISR--Research TeamLeave a Comment on Turkey’s lost and future opportunities in Syria

by Foti Benlisoy and Annalena Di Giovanni Turkey A few months ago, in January 2013, an accident in a steel factory of Gaziantep, a bordering town in southwest Turkey, claimed the lives of seven workers. Under normal circumstances such news would have passed unobserved and eventually forgotten; Turkey is after all a country in which Read more

Continue Reading