Bad News Made Worse: Saudi Arabia Is in Free Fall
Saudi Arabia’s steady liberalization will ultimately doom the social contract between the king and his people.
Asia
Yemen Ceasefire Holds as Parties Gather for Peace Talks
A truce appears to be holding as Yemen’s various factions gather in Switzerland for peace talks.
Saudi Family Dispute Bursts into the Open
King Salman’s favorite son, Mohammad, is held responsible for a reckless foreign policy.
Syrian Rebels Evacuate Homs Under Deal with Assad
Remaining opposition fighters in what used to be Syria’s third largest city give up.
The Geopolitics That Allowed Turkey to Down a Russian Jet
NATO has Turkey’s back, but its brazenness surely raises doubts in Western capitals.
Why Did Turkey Shoot Down That Russian Jet?
Turkey may have been trying to prevent a unified front being formed to defeat the Islamic State.
So Much for Russian-Turkish Rapprochement
Turkey’s downing of a Russian warplane near Syria ends any hope of improving relations.
NATO Meets After Turkey Shoots Down Russian Jet
NATO convenes an emergency session after Turkey shoots down a Russian military jet.
First French Jets Launch from Aircraft Carrier Near Syria
France carries out its first attacks against the self-declared Islamic State from the Charles de Gaulle.
Modest Proposal to End Syria’s Civil War, Destroy Islamic State
Ending both the Syrian War and the Islamic State will require cooperation unseen since 1945.
Why Turkey Doesn’t Do More to Defeat Islamic State
Turkey’s priorities are suppressing Kurdish nationalism and toppling Bashar Assad in Syria.
After Paris, Obama Stays the Course Against Islamic State
Politicians thumping their chests are letting the shock of the attacks cloud their judgement.
Europe and Arabia: A Geopolitical Perspective
Geography helps explain the complicated history between Europe and the Middle East.
Russia Retaliates Against Islamic State in Syria
Russia expands its airstrikes in Syria after blaming radical Islamists for crashing a Russian airliner.
French Warplanes Strike Islamic State Base in Syria
French jets bomb the headquarters of the Islamist group that claimed responsibility for attacks in Paris.