Trump’s Withdrawal from Syria Is a Disaster
The president has betrayed America’s friends and sided with its adversaries.
Middle East and North Africa
Turkey’s Purchase of a Russian Missile System, Explained
Turkey is going ahead with a deal that its NATO allies have condemned. Why?
Middle East Allies Are Wrong to Bet on Trump
Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey need to plan for the day after Trump.
Netanyahu’s Miscalculation
The Israeli called elections to stave off indictments for corruption. It galvanized his opponents.
Europe Doesn’t Know How to Handle Trump, Macron Runs Tight Operation
Deferring to America is a hard habit to kick
Saudi Prince Mohammad Misreads the Tea Leaves in Washington
The Saudi crown prince seems to believe Donald Trump’s support is all he needs. That is a mistake.
Crown Prince Breaks Saudi Monarchy’s Two Pacts
Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud shatters the family consensus and risks a conflict between mosque and state.
World Won’t Let Catalonia or Kurdistan Come Quietly onto the Map
Independence for Catalonia and Kurdistan would upend the regional order in Europe and the Middle East.
Iraq’s Kurds Deserve the West’s Support for Their Own State
How much longer do they need to wait?
After Caliphate’s Fall, A Spending Challenge
Once the Islamic State is defeated, governments will face the challenge of rebuilding.
Saudi Arabia Tries the Waters of Retrenchment
Saudi Arabia’s future king tries to turn down the heat on his conflicts with Qatar and Yemen.
Donald Trump Wants Conflict with Iran
The American is determined to declare Iran noncompliant, whatever the truth.
Five Reasons to Doubt Libyan Truce Will Hold
Khalifa Haftar and Fayez al-Sarraj agree to stop fighting, but it’s not hard to imagine how their deal might unravel.
To Save Saudi Arabia, They Needed a Young King
Great kings can overcome the burdens of geopolitics by force of will and shrewd wisdom. But they need time.
The Weapons of Saudi’s Siege on Qatar
This is a war of elites on elites. The Saudis are targeting the prestige of Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family.