U.S.-KURDISH RELATIONS IN POST-INVASION IRAQ Aram Rafaat* The Kurds' desire to secure and consolidate the freedoms they enjoyed in the decade prior to the U.S. invasion of Iraq has reshaped U.S.-Kurdish relations in many ways. In order to keep Iraq united with a strong central government, U.S. policy tries to ensure that the Kurds do not seek independence. At the same time, though, The United States has tried to work with the Kurdish Regional Government. The Kurds have equally tried to … [Read more...]
Morocco’s 2007 Elections: A Social Reading
By December 6, 2020
Ă?ÂŻĂ?»Ă?Âż MOROCCO'S 2007 ELECTIONS: A SOCIAL READING Samir Ben-Layashi* This article discusses the social and political context of Morocco's 2007 parliamentary elections, which brought surprising results. It attempts to explain why the moderate Islamic party, the PJD, did not achieve an overwhelming victory as was expected. It also explores why the formerly undefeatable socialist party, the USFP, lost popularity. Finally, it examines the remarkable comeback of the historically … [Read more...]
Iran’s Nuclear and Syria’s Iraq Adventures
By December 5, 2020
Ă?ÂŻĂ?»Ă?Âż IRAN'S NUCLEAR AND SYRIA'S IRAQ ADVENTURES Barry Rubin* The two main areas where the alliance of radical forces in the Middle East confront Western interests and pose a danger of major instability are Iran's drive for nuclear weapons and Syria's efforts to destabilize Iraq. This article considers these two issues. First, it examines what effect Iran's obtaining nuclear weapons would have on Middle East politics, with an emphasis on scenarios that would occur even if … [Read more...]
Islamist Groups in Lebanon
By December 4, 2020
ISLAMIST GROUPS IN LEBANON Gary C. Gambill* The article examines the evolution of three distinct poles of Islamism in Lebanon and how they have adapted to changes in local political and security conditions over the past three decades. Although Lebanon's ethno-sectarian demography is manifestly unsuitable for the establishment of an Islamic state, the salience of militant Islamist movements in this tiny Mediterranean country has few parallels. Above and beyond the regional conditions … [Read more...]
The Waziristan Accord
By December 3, 2020
Ă?ÂŻĂ?»Ă?Âż THE WAZIRISTAN ACCORD Evagoras C. Leventis* The Waziristan Accord between Pakistan's government and tribal leaders in that country's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) has failed not only to curb violence in the immediate region but also to restrict cross-border militant activity--including resurgent Taliban and al-Qa'ida cadres--between Pakistan's "tribal belt" and Afghanistan. The purpose of this article is to examine the Waziristan Accord and to indicate why … [Read more...]
Azerbaijan and the Challenge of Multiple Identities: In Search of a Global Soul
By December 2, 2020
 AZERBAIJAN AND THE CHALLENGE OF MULTIPLE IDENTITIES: IN SEARCH OF A GLOBAL SOUL Alireza Asgharzadeh* This article focuses on emerging Azerbaijani identity and its competing versions in the Republic of Azerbaijan, Iran, and in the diaspora. The Republic of Azerbaijan has over eight million people compared with more than 20 million Azeris in Iran. The two groups have ethnic, linguistic, and historical ties but also different experiences, giving them both a common … [Read more...]
Russia and Qatar
By December 1, 2020
RUSSIA AND QATAR Mark N. Katz* This article discusses the improvement in relations between Russia and Qatar between the years 2004 to 2007 and the significance of this rapprochement. From 2004 to 2007, relations between Russia and Qatar went from extremely poor to remarkably cooperative. How did this happen? Considering that Russia and Qatar are both among the world's three largest producers of natural gas (the third being Iran), what does this Russian-Qatari rapprochement … [Read more...]
