ARB - Insights & Analysis

Photo Essay: When Only Walls Can Talk

Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:56:34 +0000

Although Tripoli appears calm, graffiti covering much of the city’s walls hints at the political divisions simmering beneath the surface in Libya’s capital.

Hamas’s Choices

Wed, 07 Jan 2015 16:26:38 +0000

With few viable options at its disposal to address Gaza’s pressing social and economic needs, Hamas may be forced to extend its unity government with Fatah.

Sisi’s Moralism

Fri, 19 Dec 2014 14:51:08 +0000

The Sisi government’s crackdown on perceived immorality is the latest attempt to instill in Egypt a state-sanctioned interpretation of Islam.

Saving Libya’s Constitution-Making Body

Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:29:59 +0000

The dissolution of Libya’s House of Representatives is putting extra pressure on the Constitution Drafting Assembly to negotiate a new political order in the country.

The Islamic State and Partisanship in Turkey

Wed, 17 Dec 2014 16:42:37 +0000

The war in Syria has polarized Turkey’s political landscape and reignited hostilities between Islamists and secularists.

Photo Essay: Arsal Caught Between Lebanon and Syria

Fri, 12 Dec 2014 18:10:45 +0000

The inability of the Lebanese state to figure out where Arsal stands has made public and state perceptions increasingly hostile toward the town.

Libya’s Southern Rivalries

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:14:43 +0000

Rival factions in Libya have allied themselves with groups in the south, intensifying local conflicts and disrupting security in the border zone.

Sinai Campaign a Boon to the Islamic State

Fri, 05 Dec 2014 17:27:05 +0000

Support for the Islamic State in Sinai and across Egypt has risen as youth grow convinced that the state’s violence can only be met with counter-violence.

The Case Against an Alliance With Assad

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 16:54:48 +0000

Realpolitik, rather than ethics, provides the most powerful arguments against the growing calls to forge a deal with the Syrian regime.

The Politics of the Egypt-Gaza Buffer Zone

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 20:34:31 +0000

The new buffer zone being set up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border will worsen social grievances underpinning much of Sinai’s violence.

Boycott in Bahrain

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:58:06 +0000

Upcoming elections in Bahrain are likely to prompt more opposition protests, rather than providing a means of channeling and containing opposition activity.

Geopolitics of Kurdish Peace

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 15:23:26 +0000

Although Kobani has spurred a KRG-PYD strategic rapprochement, Kurdish unity across borders remains elusive.

Seeking Wealth, Taking Power

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:21:01 +0000

The Egyptian military’s economic interests are driving it to seek further political control.

Algeria’s Police Riots

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:40:47 +0000

The power struggle between the Algerian presidency and DRS prevents any fundamental reforms that could address the underlying demands of police protesters.

A New Sectarian Force for Iraq

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:23:14 +0000

Plans to build a national guard force risk widening sectarian divisions in Iraq and pushing more Sunnis toward the Islamic State.

Jerusalem in Turmoil

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 16:34:20 +0000

Social and economic grievances among Palestinian residents and the contentious politics of the Israeli right underlie East Jerusalem’s turmoil.

Kobani and Kurdish Nationalism in Turkey

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 15:58:37 +0000

Regardless of whether Kurds can successfully defend Kobani, the PKK stands to gain support for its nationalist claims in Turkey.

Ennahda’s Next Move

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:38:23 +0000

Ennahda’s failure to address Tunisia’s socio-economic challenges led to its electoral defeat, which may accelerate the movement’s split into a religious and political wing.

Nidaa Tounes and the Prospects of a Unity Government

Tue, 04 Nov 2014 15:10:27 +0000

Although a unity government between Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda would widen their internal divisions, for each party it is the best option.

Brotherly Love in the GCC

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:31:37 +0000

Renewed high-level diplomatic activity between Qatar and Saudi Arabia may end their historic row as the GCC seeks policy alignment, particularly on security issues.

Houthis on the Rise in Yemen

Fri, 31 Oct 2014 14:17:56 +0000

Although the Houthis are well-poised to acquire new territories and increase their influence within Yemen, neither development will bring about peace or prosperity for the country.

Egypt’s 1984

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 15:25:31 +0000

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s steps to quash dissent exceed the Mubarak era’s in scope and intensity.

The Challenges of Rebuilding Gaza

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 16:29:12 +0000

Gaza cannot be rebuilt in a political vacuum; and conditions alone placed on international funding of Gaza’s reconstruction are not likely to work.

ISIS, a Game Changer for Algeria

Tue, 21 Oct 2014 16:04:09 +0000

The rise of ISIS gives Algeria an opportunity to regain the regional influence it lost following its failure to play an effective role in the Mali conflict.

Taking Advantage of Morocco’s Security Threat

Fri, 10 Oct 2014 16:11:18 +0000

Although Morocco is not immune to terrorism, the authorities’ exaggeration of the security threat does more to serve the Ministry of Interior than to fight terrorism.