The Center of Security Discourse and Planning
In 2016, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region has experienced record-setting high temperatures. This is seen by meteorologists as part of a steady […] More
Middle East
Russia-Iran Alliance: Shifting the Power Dynamic
Russia’s airstrikes into Syria from an Iranian air base mark a new phase in the relationship between the two countries. “Historically they’re not friends. They […] More
Is There a Future for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt?
After a brief moment in the sunshine four years ago, the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has retreated deep into the shadows under perhaps the most […] More
Where Did They Go Wrong?
August 14 2013 was the most violent day in contemporary Egyptian history. Security forces brutally dispersed demonstrations in northern Cairo’s Rabaa al-Adawiya Square and Giza’s […] More
No End In Sight
Three years ago on August 14, 2013, nearly 1000 Islamist protesters were killed by Egyptian security forces in Rabaa and Nahda squares in Egypt’s capital. […] More
ISIS' Chemical Weapon Use: A Serious Threat On The Rise
With the world watching, ISIS deployed chemical weapons in the Iraqi towns of Sinjar and Taza in February and March of 2016, respectively. Since gaining […] More
NATO Weighs In After Erdogan, Putin Meet
Following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting this week in Russia, NATO issued a strong statement making clear it views Turkey […] More
Mounting Security Challenges in Afghanistan
With Taliban and ISIS attacks occurring in Afghanistan almost daily, questions surrounding the direction of the country’s security apparatus loom large. Despite U.S. President Barack […] More
Not All of the News is Bad
As the Taliban and ISIS continue to launch attacks across Afghanistan, U.S. and Afghan forces face the daunting task of bringing stability to one of […] More
Far From Achieving Strategic Objectives
The Cipher Brief spoke with Congressman Will Hurd of Texas about the increasing security challenges in Afghanistan. According to Hurd, U.S. objectives in Afghanistan have […] More
Erdogan Meets Putin to Repair Ties Amidst Tense Relations with West
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin met on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, highlighting efforts to renew their strained relationship and indicating a […] More
Kurdistan as a Geopolitical Playground
The region often referred to as Kurdistan, split between four areas in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria, has long played a role as a conflicted […] More
An Ancient Strategic Riddle
The systemic and historical structure of Turkish-Iranian competition over Kurdish geography is one of the oldest geostrategic riddles of the Middle East. Through its long […] More
The Forgotten Dimension of the Syrian Conflict
The complex proxy war in Syria has demonstrated both the reach and limitations of Iran’s strategic influence. By mobilizing a wide range of strategic, tactical, […] More
Renewed Push Against ISIS in Libya
With coalition forces concentrating efforts against ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the militant group continues to fester in Libya with the government struggling to battle […] More
The Myth of a "Locally Focused" Former Al Qaeda Affiliate in Syria
The recent “cancellation” of Jabhat al Nusra’s operations along with the formation of a new entity independent from al Qaeda, named Jabhat Fatah al Sham, […] More
Will Syria’s Most Productive Citizens Ever Return Home?
Today, five years after democratic protests against Syrian President Bashar al Assad’s regime turned into open civil conflict, the ebb and flow of inconclusive military […] More
Envisioning the Future
After six years of war, I find it difficult to imagine what Syria will look like after it all ends. Villages resemble ghost towns, while […] More