July, 2021

• 18 July

  Democracy in Afghanistan: Amid and Beyond Conflict

  

  Stable democracy may be an elusive prospect in Afghanistan, but that in itself is no reason to stop talking about it. Although many Afghans might well prioritize security from violence over elections in the short term, voting rights are still widely valued across Afghanistan. This report examines the country’s recent …

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• 18 July

  In Washington Visit, Jordan’s King Looks to Reset Relations, Reassert Regional Role

  

  Jordan’s efforts to improve ties with the U.S. and Israel will be tested by the ever-turbulent waters of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Monday, King Abdullah of Jordan will become the first Arab head of state to be welcomed by President Biden to the White House. The optics and opportunity are …

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• 18 July

  On the Road to Peace, Libya Makes Progress but Hits Pitfalls

  

  Reconciliation must go beyond politics, address issues of transitional justice and set a new vision for a shared future. After a decade of war and division, Libya has made progress toward peace this year. In March, a Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed to unify the warring Western-based Government …

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• 18 July

  Mohamed Bazoum – Assimi Goïta : duel à distance dans le Sahel

  

  Alors que le Niger est en passe de devenir le pilier central de la stratégie militaire française au Sahel, Mohamed Bazoum s’est montré particulièrement offensif à l’égard d’Assimi Goïta. Bamako a protesté officiellement mais les autorités maliennes redoutant l’isolement ont appelé à unir les efforts contre le terrorisme. Est-ce le …

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• 18 July

  Biden and Merkel fail to find common ground over Nord Stream 2 pipeline at Washington summit

  

  US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel failed to find a common position on the issue of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline that will allow Russia to bypass Ukraine during a meeting of the two leaders on July 15. Merkel flew to Washington on her last foreign …

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• 18 July

  Russia tested over 320 weapons in Syria, Shoigu says

  

  Russia tested over 320 types of weapons in its operations in Syria, the country’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced during his visit to the Rostvertol helicopter manufacturing factory in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on Wednesday. The helicopters manufactured at that very factory were also part of their operations in Syria. Russia has …

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• 18 July

  King Abdullah goes to Washington

  

  Jordan’s King Abdullah will meet President Joe Biden at the White House on July 19, the first Arab leader to be welcomed by the U.S. president since he took office in January. The official visit marks a crucial reset to U.S.-Jordanian ties, which had suffered under President Donald Trump. The …

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• 18 July

  The coming US and Middle East energy collision

  

  The Biden administration’s goals in climate policy, renewable energy infrastructure investment both domestically and globally (the Build Back Better World, or B3W, initiative), and its Middle East policy may be on the verge of a collision. While the administration would like to dial back its engagement in the Middle East …

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• 18 July

  Mr. President, keep the military advisers in Afghanistan

  

  Even the most ardent supporters of President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw all American troops from Afghanistan recognize the inherent tension in his policy. Biden promised Afghanistan’s top leaders in a recent meeting at the White House that he would maintain U.S. material support to the country. But ensuring a …

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• 18 July

  Russia Halves Salaries of Daraa Fighters, Amid International Calls to End Siege

  

  According to sources in the city of Busra al-Sham in rural Daraa, 8th Brigade fighters have received their salaries from Russia — but at only half their usual value. The 8th Brigade is headed by Ahmed al-Awda, the former leader of opposition factions, “The 5th Corps, which belongs to the …

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