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Iran

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United States

Geopolitical Shifts in the Middle East

Cyril Widdershoven

The emergence of a Russian-Iranian-Turkish triangle is a new reality. The Western hegemony in the MENA region has ended, and not in a shy way, but with a long list…

EnergyHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, United States, Yemen

Saudi Corruption Crackdown Could Permanently Boost Oil Prices

Cyril Widdershoven

The Middle East is heading for a major showdown if statements made by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and UAE’s minister of Foreign Affairs Gargash are to be…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyIran, Israel, Saudi Arabia, United States

Saudi Arabia’s Grand Plan for Modernization—and better ties with Israel

Joshua Ball

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is working to “westernize” the Kingdom and change people’s mindsets when it comes to Israel. This report comes from Twitter user Mujtahidd, an account…

Defense & SecurityChina, European Union, Iran, Japan, Military Strategy, North Korea, Russia, United States

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Modernization

Ankit Panda

U.S. strategic and tactical nuclear weapons on land, in the air, and at sea, will undergo costly and extensive modernization in the coming years. U.S. nuclear forces, operated by the…

Defense & SecurityIran, Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United States

What to Watch For in Post-ISIS Iraq and Syria

Zachary Laub

As the campaigns to wrest the Islamic State from the territory it held in Iraq and Syria near completion, new conflicts may arise if old political arrangements prevail. The self-proclaimed…

Defense & SecurityChina, Energy, European Union, Foreign Policy, France, International Security, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Northern Africa, Oil, OPEC, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Converging Economic and Demographic Trends Threaten Security in the Middle East and North Africa

Joshua Ball

With oil prices unlikely to recover to levels of the petroleum boom governments may have to limit cash payments and subsidies. In the meantime, social networks have provided new tools…

Defense & SecurityEgypt, Iran, Kuwait, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Increased Sectarian Tensions in the Middle East as the Saudi-Iran Proxy War Heats Up

Joshua Ball

Security concerns in Saudi Arabia are on the rise. Tensions are increasing between the Shia-minority and the Kingdom's Sunni ruling class in the aftermath of the execution of Shiite cleric…

Defense & SecurityAmericas, Brazil, China, Colombia, Hezbollah, International Security, Iran, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, Venezuela

Solving the Economic & Security Crisis in Venezuela

Joshua Ball

The best-case scenario for ending Venezuelan political and economic upheaval is through a negotiated settlement Dr. Jennifer McCoy, Distinguished University Professor of Political Science at Georgia State University, discussed a…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAmericas, Foreign Policy, Iran, National Security, Russia

Madman Theory 2.0: The Trump Administration Foreign Policy

Joshua Ball

Is there a method to the madness? Based on President Trump’s stated policy of unpredictability and instability, it’s difficult to say what his end-goals may be—or if he even has…