Erdogan’s Charm Offensive Will Not Satisfy Egypt, Syria, or Israel
Wherever you look, Erdogan wants a “reset” and “rapprochement.” But in every single case, there will be a price to pay.
Mohamed Morsi
Egypt’s transition away from American weapons is a national security issue
Egypt announced an agreement this month with France to purchase 30 French-made F3-R Rafale fighter jets in a deal reportedly worth $5 billion. The agreement is part of a larger trend in which Egypt...
Op-eds
The Problem With the Declassified Report on Khashoggi’s Death
It presents little new evidence and is unlikely to appease critics of Mohammed bin Salman.
Op-eds
Analysis: The Islamic State’s ideological campaign against al-Qaeda
On April 29, the Islamic State’s “province” (wilayah) in Yemen released a lengthy video that is intended to undermine al-Qaeda’s ideological legitimacy within the jihadists’ ranks. The 50-plus...
Op-eds
COVID-19 in Egypt
As political and economic difficulties from COVID-19 challenge the stability of the Egyptian government, Cairo has responded by tightening control – an effort that opposition forces claim is designed...
Policy Briefs
Turkish Court Indicts Saudi Nationals in Khashoggi Murder
The Istanbul chief prosecutor indicted 20 Saudi nationals last week for the murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul sparked global outrage....
Policy Briefs
Brothers in Arms
The Consolidation of the Turkey-Qatar Axis
Monographs
Trump’s first mistake in Syria was ever trusting Erdogan at all
President Trump’s deficient understanding of Muslims, many of whom are at the forefront of the fight against radical Islamism, leads him to see threats where none exist. It also prevents him from recognizing...
Op-eds
Midterm Assessment: Egypt
Some ‘Modernizer’
Is Saudi Arabia’s crown prince joining a long line of absolutist rulers in the Middle East?
Op-eds
U.S. Bright Star Participation and the Push for Egyptian Reform
U.S. and Egyptian military forces, beginning Saturday, will participate in a joint exercise in Egypt called “Bright Sta...
Policy Briefs
Unlikely Allies, Israel and Egypt Face Joint Challenge in Gaza
The winds of war are blowing in Gaza. The last several months have been replete with rocket barrages, drones, incendiary balloons and kites (flaming or containing explosives) flying into Israeli airsp...
Op-eds
Russia and Egypt are Growing Closer
As Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi begins his second term, a new chapter in Egyptian-Russian relations is being written. Disappointed by U.S. policy, Cairo has strengthened its ties with...
Op-eds
The problem with promoting democracy
In a better world, I’d be enthusiastically in favor of democracy promotion and even nation-building -- more correctly called state-building. But we don’t live in a better world....
Op-eds
The Egyptian riddle
With presidential elections coming up on March 26, Egypt’s capital is festooned with campaign billboards and posters. That’s an encouraging sight in the Middle East, and yet I sense t...
Op-eds
A pope and a grand imam
Pope Tawadros II had planned to spend last week on retreat in a monastery near Alexandria. But then Mohammed bin Salman, on a three-day visit to Egypt, asked to see him. The Saudi Crown...
Op-eds
Qatar vs. Saudi Arabia: How Iran and the Brotherhood Tore the Gulf Apart
The Gulf monarchies face the most serious crisis in their history. It is largely being covered as a diplomatic spat, since several Arab nations terminated their relations with Qatar on Monday to...
Op-eds
‘Principled Realism’
Donald Trump's recent sojourn in the Middle East leaves the United States where it was before the president departed: His administration remains committed to containing Iran while...
Op-eds
Qatar Needs to Do Its Part
An important goal of President Donald Trump’s meetings with Arab and Islamic leaders this past weekend was to encourage them to shoulder more of the burden in defending our common interests...
Op-eds
Russia’s Charm Offensive in North Africa
With the world’s attention focused on the question of Russian influence in the United States and the European Union, the Kremlin is quietly making inroads in anot...