Photo Credit: International Business Times By: Morgan Byrne-Diakun, Editor-in-Chief Given the relative size of the Sultanate of Oman’s economy, population, and military, few typically consider the country’s role in international and regional affairs as more than an afterthought to those of its larger, more powerful neighbors. However, as the Middle East has descended into turmoil … Continue reading Lessons in the Exercise of Soft Power: Oman’s Role in the Middle East
Category: Middle East & North Africa
Why International Law Matters to Decision Makers
Photo Credit: French Ministry of Defense By: Lorris Beverelli, Guest Contributor Since September 2014, an international coalition has been conducting military operations in Syria aimed at degrading and destroying the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” (ISIS). The coalition, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, have invoked their right to self-defense and the consent of the … Continue reading Why International Law Matters to Decision Makers
Hezbollah’s Tenure in Syria: Tactical and Strategic Implications
Photo Credit: NationalSecurity.com By: Sarah Gilkes, Columnist In a televised address on May 25, 2013, Hezbollah Secretary General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah formally announced the organization’s involvement in the Syrian conflict.[i] In the weeks and months that followed Nasrallah’s address, commentators declared Hezbollah’s engagement in Syria the group’s Vietnam: a high-risk conflict that was likely to … Continue reading Hezbollah’s Tenure in Syria: Tactical and Strategic Implications
An Arab Spring with No Water: How Uprisings in the Middle East Can Be Linked to Resource Scarcity
Photo Credit: Middle East Eye By: Farnaz Alimehri, Columnist The Middle East is often mischaracterized as an arid, desertic region; however, for the past twenty years, this misrepresentation has slowly turned into a stark reality. Most countries in the region have been experiencing a massive drought that scientists say has been brought on by climate … Continue reading An Arab Spring with No Water: How Uprisings in the Middle East Can Be Linked to Resource Scarcity
Reframing Reversals: The Islamic State’s Media Jihad
Photo Credit: Yahoo.com By: Ryan Pereira, Columnist In response to recent setbacks, the Islamic State (IS) has tried to frame itself as a determined underdog. Gone are the days of predicting the imminent Apocalypse; in their place are repeated calls for supporters to remain resilient and steadfast. The group’s recent messaging shift revolves around four … Continue reading Reframing Reversals: The Islamic State’s Media Jihad
Iraq’s Ailing Ayatollah and the Future of Shia Moderation in Iraq
Photo Credit: Al-Arabiya By: Rachel Bessette, Columnist Amid concerns over the health of Ayatollah Sistani, Iraq’s leading Shia cleric, many observers are warning of Iranian maneuvering to replace the ever-moderate Sistani with someone subservient to the religious establishment in Tehran. Throughout Iraq’s lurching, often-violent political transition, Ayatollah Sistani has consistently stood out as a powerful … Continue reading Iraq’s Ailing Ayatollah and the Future of Shia Moderation in Iraq
The Truth on Turkey
Photo Credit: Al-Jazeera By: Kathryn Hillegass, Columnist The world watched in suspense on July 15 as members of the Turkish army launched a coup against President Tayyip Erdogan’s administration while he was away on vacation. We witnessed clashes between the military and the police which killed over 250 people, we saw an F-16 shoot down … Continue reading The Truth on Turkey
A Serious Solution for Syria
Photo Credit: CBC News By: Farnaz Alimehri, Columnist The international community has known for quite some time that both the Syrian government and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) have used chemical weapons in Syria. The worst, and most obvious case that comes to mind is the sarin attack in Ghouta on … Continue reading A Serious Solution for Syria
In the Heart of the Fire: Lebanon’s Place in A Regional Rivalry
Photo Credit: NOW.com By: Rachel Bessette, Columnist Lebanon, a key arena for Saudi-Iranian competition, has remained conspicuously quiet in spite of increasingly public spats between the two regional rivals. There is significant danger in mistaking this stasis for peace. Although Saudi Arabia and Iran appear committed to maintaining calm in Lebanon, escalating sectarian animosity has contributed … Continue reading In the Heart of the Fire: Lebanon’s Place in A Regional Rivalry
Baby Formula – the Egyptian Army’s Latest Economic Venture
Photo Credit: Voice of America News By Katie Hillegass, Columnist A small protest in Cairo earlier this month over a shortage of subsidized baby formula exemplifies the obstacles piling up on Egypt’s road to recovery from years of political and economic turmoil. On 1 September, riot police dispersed dozens of mothers and their babies protesting in … Continue reading Baby Formula – the Egyptian Army’s Latest Economic Venture