Ellen Laipson Op-Ed on Jalal Talabani
Read the article here.
Iranian and Saudi Perspectives on the Risks of Climate Change and Ecological Deterioration
The repercussions of climate change and environmental challenges pose enormous risks to Iran and Saudi Arabia alike. While there are differences in geography and climate in both countries, they also have many environmental challenges in common. Problems such as sand and dust storms or diminishing water resources are border-crossing phenomena that no country can deal with alone; therefore, cooperation is key.
Ellen Laipson Op-ed on US Strategy in the Middle East
The current tensions over Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile programs have become a U.S.-North Korea bilateral story, as the two countries’ leaders spar in public. In addition, coordinating with the South Korean government is tricky when the political philosophies in Washington and Seoul diverge. Comparing this current crisis to regional stresses in Europe over Russia and […]
Can Diplomacy Help Break the Brutal Sieges in Syria?
The former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, called them “starve, surrender and slaughter” tactics. Former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called them a “war crime.” Sieges have been especially brutal on civilians in Syria’s civil war, yet they remain the Syrian government’s favorite strategy for retaking territory and purging key regions of the country […]
Ellen Laipson’s Op-ed in World Politics Review on the Saudi-Qatar Crisis
The dramatic crisis pitting tiny, oil-wealthy Qatar against regional powers Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt raises the question of the survivability of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the regional organization of six Gulf states. Most likely, Qatar will make some concessions to return to the fold. But the GCC will end up weaker […]
Task Force on Future of Iraq Releases Final Report
The Task Force on the Future of Iraq has completed its year-long project to identify ways to support the Iraqis in stabilizing their state, facilitate the defeat of extremist groups like ISIS and building the basis for long term stability in the country.
Sameer Lalwani’s Op-ed in Foreign Affairs on US strategy in Afghanistan
After a five-month-long interagency review process, senior officials have recommended that U.S. President Donald Trump send several thousand more troops to Afghanistan. The request is in line with proposals from General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and makes the consensus recommendation of about 3,000-5,000 more troops. But troop increases alone do not a strategy make. Scholars as varied as Stephen […]
What’s at Stake in Iran’s Presidential Election
By Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr. U.S.-based Iran-watchers have explored potential outcomes in tomorrow’s presidential election in Iran and their near-term impacts on the nuclear agreement, relations with the U.S., and economics and politics within Iran. Yet there has been a relative dearth of strategic analysis about why the outcome should matter to the U.S., or indeed, […]