Middle East politics
The region, one of the cradles of civilization, is going through a turbulent period of historic realignment. Its powers are vying for political, military, economic and religious dominance with local players and outside actors. Armed conflicts, mainly civil wars, are challenging the permanence of states whose borders were drawn arbitrarily in the early 20th century, after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.
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Turkey’s decisive entry into Libya’s civil war
The militias of Tobruk-based warlord Khalifa Haftar failed to take the capital of Libya and are being pushed out from the western part of the country, where there are strategic oil fields. Turkey’s intervention played a decisive role in this military outcome. As other external powers engaged in Libya consider their options, Ankara is close to securing its access to energy deposits in the Mediterranean Basin.
Iraq’s new prime minister: What lies ahead (Part 2)
During his first month in office, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi has laid out a bold agenda on Iraq’s economy and security. But finding success will be much more challenging. Al-Kadhimi must keep Iran-backed militias at bay, while managing the future presence of U.S. troops and the lingering threat of the Islamic State. ...
Iraq’s new prime minister: What lies ahead (Part 1)
Mustafa Al-Kadhimi — British citizen, former news columnist, and ex-intelligence chief — has now improbably risen to Iraq’s highest office. His opening was created thanks partly to the weakness of Iran, which is dealing with an economic crisis and the recent loss of General Qassem Soleimani to an American drone strike. In his first few ...
GIS Dossier: Israel
Israel, a linchpin of U.S. strategy in the Middle East, has recently come out of a year-long electoral gridlock. Under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, the new unity government could take further action in the border conflicts that have defined Israeli politics in recent years. Meanwhile, global and regional shifts ...
Lebanon’s dilemma
In October 2019, after two weeks of protests against endemic corruption, widespread unemployment and Iranian influence, Lebanon’s prime minister tendered his resignation. His successor must now pull back the economy from the brink of collapse. However, the coronavirus crisis could prevent him from taking the necessary measures, condemning the country ...
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More Disruptions
Expanding state
A trend toward increased government influence in economies and personal life is curbing growth, and freedom, in many Western countries. The outsized role of government results in misplaced incentives, overregulation – which restrains markets and competition – and irresponsible budgetary ...
Russia resurgent
Russia’s incursion in Ukraine raised alarm about a new Cold War, deepened with the intervention in Syria and allegations of meddling in U.S. elections. But the Kremlin’s new assertiveness is largely defensive, while Ukraine’s emergence as a nation-state undermines Moscow’s ...
