Middle Orient

In Syrian political discourse since 2012, the concepts of federalism and political decentralization have been presented as technical solutions to a chronic governance crisis, or as “rational” exits for managing diversity and containing collapse. However, this framing, despite its superficial appeal, ignores the true context from which these projects emerged. …

With the Autonomous Administration retreating back into the confines of Hasakah province, the project is reverting to its earliest form: a structure rooted in the Kurdish street. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have all but collapsed, leaving the People’s Protection Units (YPG) to stand alone. Amid widespread fear of massacres—after …

Despite the announcement of a ceasefire between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurdish militia said that fighting continues near Raqqa, and that clashes are leading to an “extremely dangerous development,” which leaves prisons and detention centers vulnerable. While it is unclear how many individuals have …

Washington Institute experts assess the immediate fallout of the Syrian government’s advance into SDF-held parts of the northeast, including mutual disinformation campaigns, implications for the Islamic State threat, the terms of new agreements with the Kurds, and the calculus of outside actors like the United States, Israel, and Turkey. Cutting …

With rival forces openly warring in northeast Syria, the long-deferred challenges of identifying, securing, and repatriating IS detainees have come to a head, forcing Washington to prioritize several urgent actions and put more pressure on its partners. Almost overnight, the map of Syria has changed again as stalled talks between …

Three experts discuss the rapidly changing situation in Iran, including the status of opposition elements on the ground, the U.S. interests at play in the crisis, and Washington’s policy options for bolstering both. On January 14, The Washington Institute held a virtual Policy Forum with Holly Dagres, Michael Eisenstadt, and …

Damascus, Syria – Since last July, the question of Syria’s Suweida province has entered a new phase. There is no longer talk of negotiations with the Damascus government, nor plans for the surrender of weapons. Instead, the dominant theme among some of the province’s leaders has become secession from Syria …

US President Donald Trump has faced mounting pressure to respond militarily to Iran’s crackdown on protesters across the country. Although Trump has, for the moment, refrained from authorising a strike, a military operation against Iran remains a distinct possibility. US officials indicate that another critical decision point may arise in …

Kosovo Bulgaria and Turkey, along with representatives of other countries, joined US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Davos, Switzerland, at the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace Charter, creating a new international body supposedly aimed at resolving conflicts around the world. Trump, who was presented as the chairman …

Dr. Youssef Ibrahim Saloum, an expert on jihadist groups, told TML that many Iraqis may see the move as shifting a security burden from one arena to another without addressing its root causes US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Wednesday the launch of an operation to transfer thousands of detainees affiliated …