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Middle East

Archive, Deterrence & Foreign Policy, Strategic AdversariesAsia, damage, denied access, dirty bomb, Europe, Middle East, nuclear attack, Nuclear Deterrence, nuclear operations, Nuclear Weapons, planning, surveillance, targeting, Terrorism

The Operational Logic of Nuclear Weapons Use by an Adversary

Bradley Gericke1 Comment

The employment of nuclear weapons by adversaries of the United States is, logically, not only a possibility, but a likelihood. Americans want deterrence to hold. Decision-makers are obligated to seek…

Deterrence & Foreign PolicyAfghanistan, Middle East, Syria, United States, Yemen

When it Comes to Security in the Middle East and Afghanistan, Climate Change is a Looming Threat

Perry Lum & Lilly Blumenthal

In response to the Taliban retaking power in Afghanistan, the United States and international donors have suspended aid and frozen billions of dollars in assets. The country, which is highly…

DiplomacyIraq, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Syria, United Nations, United States

Middle East Versus the West? How a UN Diplomat’s Christian Perspective Resonates with Today

Lora Karch

“Lack of love. Strategy, commerce, exploitation, securing an imperial route: these were why the West, for the most part, came to the Near East, not because it loved us. Add…

Government & PoliticsIran, Middle East, United States

Washington’s Rationale for Ignoring Iranian Civil Unrest is Inexcusable

Shima Bozorgi

This August is the 66th anniversary of the 1953 ouster of Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh. Hardliners and those on the left-wing of politics in Iran condemn Mosaddegh’s removal as a…

DiplomacyIsrael, Middle East, North Korea, United States

International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy Under the Trump Administration

Dan Jefferson B. Lopez

Since the inauguration of Donald J. Trump as the 45th President of the United States of America, his administration has had to face a number of issues pertaining to international…

Defense & SecurityHezbollah, Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, United States

Conflict and Competition in the Middle East Will Persist Throughout 2019

Vincent Lofaso

In previous years, interest in the Middle East was largely focused on ISIS (DAESH). This year, however, that focus will shift towards Iran. As the threat from the extremist Sunni…

Government & PoliticsAfghanistan, India, Iran, Middle East, NATO, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, United States

The Politics of Ballots over Bullets: Afghan Elections and Peace Process

Tamim Asey

The electoral scene is set for the Afghan presidential elections. Eighteen candidates have registered themselves for what is ultimately expected to be a tight race between the incumbent, President Ashraf…

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 & SecurityAfrica, Middle East, Northern Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa

Africa and the Middle East

GSR Staff

Virtually all of the region's tendencies are going in the wrong direction. Continuing conflict and lack of political and economic reform threaten poverty reduction, the area's one last bright spot. …