Is Syria’s Julani part of a rising generation of younger Middle East leaders?
If Julani is to remain in power for the coming years, he could play a transformative role in Syria and the Middle East.
Zine El Abidine Ben Ali
Tunisia’s ‘war against an invisible enemy’
Tunisia appears to have contained its COVID-19 outbreak despite a weak healthcare system and has begun to ease its anti-virus restrictions. Nine years after the ouster of the Ben Ali regime, successive...
Policy Briefs
The Manchester Attack Shows How Terrorists Learn
Yesterday’s terrorist attack that struck at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in Britain’s Manchester Arena—leaving 22 people dead and 59 injured, by the ...
Op-eds
Analysis: Is the next ‘Arab Spring’ implosion around the corner?
The alarm bells sounding the impending youth revolt is perhaps the central takeaway from the UN’s report released Tuesday on the herculean challenges facing Arab states across the Middle Ea...
Op-eds
The Islamic State vs. Al-Qaeda: The War Within the Jihadist Movement
Co-authored with Nathaniel Barr and Bridget Moreng The post-Arab Spring period has seen extraordinary growth in the global jihadist movement. In addition to the ...
Op-eds
Analysis: To confront Iran’s jingoism and domestic repression, change its regime
The self-immolation death of an Iranian Arab last week in the province of Khuzestan offers a window onto the court of a neglected alternative to an Iran on the brink of nuclear weapons breakout:...
Op-eds
Everything You Need to Know about Tunisia’s Elections
Since the ouster of long-time dictator Zine El Abedine Ben Ali in 2011, Tunisia has been the bellwether for the revolutions that have rocked the Middle East. Three years into their revolution, Tu...
Op-eds
Successes and Failures of the U.S. and NATO Intervention in Libya
Download the full written testimony here (PDF). Ch...
Congressional Testimonies
An Escalation in Tunisia: How the State Went to War with Ansar al-Sharia
Co-authored by Bridget Moreng Since the fall of Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011, the country has been challenged by the aggressive growth of a dom...
Op-eds
The Arab Spring and Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence
Chairman McKeon, Ranking Member Smith, distinguished members of the committee, it is an honor to appear before you to discuss the state of al-Qaeda, its affiliates, and associated groups. My test...
Congressional Testimonies
The Islamic Republic of Iran at 35: The Anti-American Narrative Endures
February 11 marks the 35th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. It is a national holiday, marked by speeches delivered by Iran’s revolutionary leaders. As was the case...
Policy Briefs
The Arab Spring and Al-Qaeda’s Resurgence
Download the full testimony (PDF). Chairman McKeon...
Congressional Testimonies
The Iran-Syria Nexus and its Implications for the Region
Introduction Chairman Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Member Deutch, and distinguished Members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify today about Iran&rs...
Congressional Testimonies
Salafi Jihadism in the North African Regional Context
Chairmen Poe and Ros-Lehtinen, Ranking Members Sherman and Deutch, distinguished members of the subcommittees, it is an honor to appear before you today to discuss the threat of jihadist terroris...
Congressional Testimonies
War of Words Escalates in Tunisia
In an interview published by Le Monde on March 26, Tuni...
Op-eds
From al Qaeda in Italy to Ansar al Sharia Tunisia
Two convicted members of an al Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group in Italy are now senior members of Ansar al Sharia Tunisia. The pair, Sami Ben Khemais Essid and Mehdi Kammoun, were arrested in 20...
Op-eds
Perceptions of the “Arab Spring” Within the Salafi-Jihadi Movement
Co-authored by Tara Vassefi “The popular uprisings in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Bahrain have not only shaken the foundation of the authoritarian order in the...
Op-eds
Ayman al Zawahiri’s New Video Messages
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri released a new two-part installment of his video series focusing on Egypt, which was posted on Oct. 24. It seems there was a delay in releasing this installment,...
Op-eds
Review: The Dictator’s Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy
The Dictator's Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy by William J. Dobson (New York: Doubleday, 2012), 341 pp. Reviewed by Daveed Gar...
Op-eds
How Saudi Arabia Has Survived—So Far
On December 17, 2010, the self-immolation of Tunisian street vendor Muhammad Bouazizi, who was protesting the confiscation of his wares and harassment by the country’s authorities, touched...