Arabs, Beware the “Small States” Option

This article can also be read in Turkish here. At the heart of all politics lies cold, hard opportunism. New Continue reading →

The US’s Afghan Exit May Depend on a Syrian One

Washington’s options in Syria are dwindling – and dwindling fast. Trumped up chemical weapons charges against the Syrian government this Continue reading →

Why Washington Fears Iran – Part 2

“Tehran has developed technical expertise in a number of areas—including uranium enrichment, nuclear reactors, and ballistic missiles—from which it could Continue reading →

Why Arabs Need Iran – Part 1

In 2011, when Arab revolts began to sweep the Middle East and North Africa, the view from Washington and its Continue reading →

Mideast Backlashes Yet to Come

By Sharmine Narwani The Middle East is treading water these days. Two years of rhetoric about ousting dictators, revolution, freedom, Continue reading →

BRICS Summit draws clear red lines on Syria, Iran

By Sharmine Narwani The BRICS just became impossible to ignore. At the close of the Fifth annual BRICS Summit in Continue reading →

Russia and China: Arms Around the Middle East

By Sharmine Narwani Russia and China have drawn a great deal of censure this past year for resisting UN Security Continue reading →

Lebanon’s Red Lines, Bared

By Sharmine Narwani What a difference a week can make in the Middle East. On October 19, when a car Continue reading →