Putin Scores Win in U.S.-Russia Deal on Syria
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday announced their commitment to defeating the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS, in Syria and agreed […] More
Middle East
Iraq’s Real Challenge: A Constitution with a Birth Defect
The Sept. 25 Kurdish referendum has risked permanent damage to the relationship between the Kurdish Regional Government and the Iraqi government (GOI), but the blame […] More
Who Benefits? A Closer Look at U.S.-Russia Talks on Syria
The U.S. and Russia could soon come to an agreement on next steps in Syria, as the Islamic State, or ISIS, nears defeat in the […] More
Swiss Play Role in Easing Tensions Between Saudi and Iran
The Swiss Foreign Ministry announced on Oct. 25 that it had reached an agreement with Riyadh and Tehran to represent Iranian consular interests in Saudi […] More
Russia Woos Riyadh in Bid to Undercut U.S. Global Role
There is little doubt that Putin’s foreign policy centers on reviving Russia as a major international power, which seeks to undermine the global American alliance […] More
Network Take: ‘Good News’ Lurks Beneath Saudi Shakeup
On Saturday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the arrests of dozens of ministers and other members of Riyadh’s elite, as part of a […] More
Royal Reshuffle and Yemen Missile Strike Threaten Saudi Stability
Another shakeup atop the Saudi royal family, coupled with an escalation in the war in Yemen, has paved the way for the Saudi heir to […] More
Afghans Wary of Trump’s Pledge to Challenge Terrorists & Islamabad
Jalalabad, AFGHANISTAN – When Donald Trump announced his administration’s strategy for Afghanistan, it was welcomed by Kabul’s leaders and other Afghan urban centers. Influential figures […] More
Network Take: Disappointment from NatSec Vets over Bergdahl
On Friday, a military judge ruled Bowe Bergdahl, who deserted his outpost in Afghanistan in 2009 and was subsequently held captive by the Taliban for […] More
With No End In Sight, Gulf Blockade Nudges Qatar Closer to Iran
Nearly five months on, the “crisis” between Qatar and a coalition of nine countries led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates has reached […] More
CIA Reveals Roughly Half-a-Million Osama Bin Laden Files
The CIA announced on Wednesday the release of hundreds of thousands of additional files recovered in the May 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound […] More
Oil, Extortion Still Paying Off for ISIS
As ISIS loses territory across Syria and Iraq, its capacity to generate revenue has declined drastically. Nonetheless, ISIS continues to profit from its oil industry, […] More
“Savvy” ISIS Will Overcome Cash Crunch & Come Back
ISIS is rapidly losing territory across Syria and Iraq and, as a result, is suffering significant financial setbacks. Yet ISIS remains driven by its goal […] More
With Coffers Draining, ISIS May Seek Donations & Step Up Crime
Once billed the richest terrorist group in history, ISIS’ revenue streams are drying up, which may force it to rely more heavily on criminal enterprises […] More
Islamic Scholars Go Head-to-Head with ISIS Propaganda Machine
The recent terror attacks in Barcelona and Finland stand as a stark reminder of the dangers of not just terrorism, but also the radicalization underpinning […] More
Palestinian Unity Efforts ‘One Incident from Falling Apart’
Despite the recent agreement reached on October 12 between the two rival Palestinian governments, the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, much work remains to be […] More
Palestinian Peace: “Mission Impossible or Maybe Mission Implausible”
In an important display of unity, the two distinct Palestinian governments, the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, and Hamas, which oversees the Gaza […] More
Palestinian Authority & Hamas: Peace at last?
After years of failed mediation efforts, the elusiveness of Palestinian unity may have finally come to an end. Throughout the last decade, Palestinian politics have […] More