Special Analysis

Finding a way forward in the Baghdad-Erbil oil dispute

Disagreements between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over oil policy have been one of Iraq’s most stubborn problems. Resolving this issue would allow for better development of natural resources, generate more revenue that’s badly needed for reconstruction, and might potentially deflate competing claims to disputed territories. There are …

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US foreign policy towards the Middle East: Pumping air into a punctured tire

Theorizing the future of the Arab Gulf states and the broader Middle East requires a proper assessment of the state of power distribution in the region. Is there a new balance of power emerging in the Middle East, or is the distribution of power heading in a more dangerous direction?

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Origins of the Libyan Conflict and Options for Its Resolution

In the 42 years preceding the 2011 uprising, Muammar Gaddafi controlled all power in Libya. Since the uprising, Libyans, fragmented by geography, tribe, ideology, and history, have resisted having anyone, foreigner or Libyan, telling them what to do. In the process, they have frustrated efforts of outsiders to help them …

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France: A Revolt against Europe's Elites?

For years, those of us who write and worry about the rise of Islam in Western Europe have known that eventually, if the governments of these countries did not change course dramatically, something had to give. So far, the natives had, for the most part, been remarkably tame. They had …

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Middle east events and news

Pro-Al-Qaeda Ansar Al-Furqan Claims Responsibility For Suicide Attack On Police Headquarters In Chabahar, IranOn December 6, 2018 a pro-Al-Qaeda jihadi group released a statement claiming that one of its fighters had carried out a suicide attack targeting a police headquarters in the city of Chabahar, Iran. Urdu Daily: Afghan Taliban, …

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Middle east events and news

EXCLUSIVE: ISIS Supporters Threaten Terror Attacks During The Holiday Season As Christmas and the New Year approach, Islamic State (ISIS) supporters have begun to produce posters threatening terror attacks against Christians and inhabitants of Western countries during the holiday season. EXCLUSIVE: Leader Of Al-Qaeda In The Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) Claims …

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The French People Feel Screwed

 Macron makes no secret of his wish to be seen as a global leader for environmental reform. He forgets that back at home, among the people who elected him, fuel prices really matter.  There are images online of police removing their helmets and firefighters turning their backs on …

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Democratic Countries Should Back out of the UN Global Compact

 The EU has been paying particularly North African governments for years to keep migrants away from the European continent. The effort seems to have yielded few results in terms of stopping migration to Europe.  The UN Global Compact stipulates that, “media outlets that systematically promote intolerance, xenophobia, racism …

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How to Rebalance US Global Security Cheaply and Easily

 Russia, evidently not restrained by the agreement, is already building missiles outside the INF treaty, according to an October 29, 2018 report from the Congressional Research Service. The bottom line is: If the Russians do not comply with the INF arms control treaty, there is no treaty to be …

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Middle east events and news

Syrian Media Operatives Urge Jihadi Factions in Idlib to Unite ‘Under One Man And One Banner’ On November 29, 2018, a group of media operatives in rebel-controlled areas of northern Syria issued a strongly worded statement urging the jihadi groups in the region to put aside their disagreements and unite …

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