Beirut - Frequent Content

ISIS Claims American Hostage Killed in Airstrikes

Lina Khatib, Andrew Liepman, Borzou Daragahi, Jeremy Herb — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 10:17:18 +0000

The Islamic State says that a female American hostage in Syria has been killed during a Jordanian airstrike.

Radicalism in the Arab World

Marwan Muasher — Sun, 08 Feb 2015 16:35:34 +0000

Building stability and prosperity is going to take a lot more work than military strikes.

Jordan’s Role in the Fight Against ISIS

Marwan Muasher — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:31:32 +0000

A strategy of political openness and economic opportunity must be put hand-in-hand with the military campaign against the Islamic State.

What’s the Future of Jordan’s Involvement in IS Fight?

Lina Khatib — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 10:20:24 +0000

Jordan is currently calling for intensified strikes against the Islamic State in response to the execution of Jordanian pilot Moaz al-Kasasbeh.

Jordan’s War With ISIS

Marwan Muasher — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:26:13 +0000

The fight against the Islamic State is an ideological battle as much as it is a military one.

Jordan Finds ‘No Compromise Is Possible’ With Islamic State

Marwan Muasher — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 16:09:48 +0000

The Islamic State needs to be fought militarily, but the underlying causes of frustration and marginalization also have to be addressed.

Has Egyptian President Sisi’s Approach in Sinai Failed?

Maha Yahya, Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, Mohamed Khairat — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 08:05:52 +0000

The heavy crackdown in Sinai is being questioned after repeated attacks by armed groups in the peninsula.

Sarah Chayes’ Extended Interview With Jon Stewart

Sarah Chayes — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 17:53:45 +0000

From the Islamic State in Iraq to Boko Haram in Nigeria, corruption lies at the root of many of today’s international crises.

Jordan Caught Between Two Bad Situations

Marwan Muasher — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 20:29:58 +0000

Jordan’s participation in the fight against the Islamic State, particularly outside its borders, is problematic to some Jordanians. With the pilot hostage situation, the government is caught between two very bad situations.

French Relations with Saudi Arabia

Joseph Bahout — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 21:44:34 +0000

France and Saudi Arabia have agreements on a number of issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program, but France has several concerns about the way Saudi Arabia is positioning itself toward the Arab Spring.

Sarah Chayes on Thieves Of State: Why Corruption Threatens Global Security

Sarah Chayes — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 20:58:55 +0000

Corruption acts as a thread tying recent frightening international security crises together.

An Analysis of the Saudi Succession

Lina Khatib — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 09:58:18 +0000

The succession in Saudi Arabia comes at a time when Saudi foreign policy seems to be collapsing all around the Kingdom.

A Vacuum of Leadership in the Middle East

Marwan Muasher — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 21:59:30 +0000

The Arab world is facing a vacuum of leadership. It is a new era, one that still has unknown repercussions.

Iran In The Regional Order

Karim Sadjadpour — Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:41:52 +0000

While the United States and Iran have shared numerous adversaries, such as the Soviet Union, the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and now the Islamic Staet, the strategic enmity between the two countries has prevailed.

A Moment of Opportunity in U.S.-Iranian Relations?

Karim Sadjadpour — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 22:18:29 +0000

While Iranian president Hassan Rouhani represents the popular opinion of a population that wants to be integrated with the outside world, the main levers of power in Iran are all controlled by the office of the Supreme Leader.

Congress to Vote on Iran Sanctions in January

Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:02:07 +0000

If a nuclear deal with Iran is not reached within the next six months, Congress is intent on passing new sanctions.

Obama Conciliatory Toward Iran in NPR Interview

Karim Sadjadpour — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 16:38:45 +0000

Rapprochement with Iran or, at the minimum, a nuclear deal with Iran would be a significant part of Obama’s foreign policy legacy. The big question is whether Iran’s leadership is interested in that rapprochement.

Fourth Anniversary of the Influential Tunisian Revolution That Sparked the ‘Arab Spring’

Frederic Wehrey — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 03:08:34 +0000

While the tribal, sectarian, and ethnic mosaic of the region is one aspect of why democracy has not taken hold in the Arab world, more important is the lack of experience in governing institutions.

What Might Happen After Iran Sanctions Are Lifted

Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 22:33:17 +0000

The Iranian nuclear program can at best provide only two percent of Iran’s energy needs. It is an economic catastrophe when compared to the lost foreign investment, oil revenue, and sanctions.

Iranian Nuclear Talks

Karim Sadjadpour — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 22:24:54 +0000

A big challenge for the Iranian nuclear negotiations is finding a technical resolution to what is really a political conflict.

U.S-led Air Raids Target Syria Rebel Groups

Yezid Sayigh — Thu, 06 Nov 2014 09:55:35 +0000

U.S.-led air raids have struck Syrian rebels not linked to the Islamic State, expanding the coalitions raids for the second time to other groups fighting in Syria, including Ahrar al-Sham and the Nusra Front.

The Fight Against the IS

Frederic Wehrey — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 17:53:42 +0000

Empowering local partners on the ground is going to be a long-term challenge.

Turkey’s Border Threat and NATO’s Role

Marc Pierini — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 15:59:18 +0000

The West and Turkey should meet the Islamic State threat with counterterrorism and border control measures. That may not be a military operation, but it is a big challenge.

Born in Europe to Fight Foreign Wars?

Marc Pierini — Wed, 08 Oct 2014 15:02:23 +0000

What can the EU do to prevent its citizens from leaving for Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State and becoming a domestic threat once they return to European soil?

Could ISIS Threats Cause Israel to Partner With Arab Nations?

Lina Khatib — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 09:40:24 +0000

Arab states, especially after the Gaza crisis of the summer, are viewing Israel more skeptically when it comes to the peace process.