Bad Days in Basra
The 2003 occupation of Iraq by US and coalition forces continues to be studied and assessed. We are pleased to offer a unique opportunity to hear an insider British account of the early days of the occupation. Hillary Synnott will talk about his explosive new book, BAD DAYS IN BASRA: My Turbulent Time as Britain’s […]
Security threats in Iraq and the impact of U.S army withdrawal
The United States forces in Iraq play a major and vital role in stabilizing the security environment in the country, hence to provide the appropriate environment to start the process of building and development. This may represent a great opportunity for Iraq in this context. Current and future threats in Iraq However, the situation in […]
Don’t Declare Victory
This article was initially published in The American Interest for its March-April 2008 issue. The 2008 definition of “winning” in Iraq is more about security narrowly construed than political transformation or democracy. We clearly are able to achieve short- to medium-term improvements in the security conditions in the country, but we should have no […]
US Policy in the Middle East: Coping in a Year of Instability
This chapter first appeared in the 2007 Mediterranean Yearbook, published by the Institut Europeu de la Mediterrania US policies in the Middle East region faced acute challenges in 2006. The ongoing war and struggle to legitimize the new government in Iraq were the preoccupying concerns, and progress in that arena was modest. The year was […]
Towards a More Secure and Stable Lebanon: Prospects for Security Sector Reform
On December 13, 2007, the Stimson Center’s Southwest Asia/Gulf Project organized the seminar Towards a More Secure and Stable Lebanon: Prospects for Security Sector Reform. The seminar brought together Lebanese, US, European and UN government and non-government policymakers and experts with direct expertise and involvement in Lebanese affairs. The seminar offered an opportunity for a […]
Syria: Options and Implications for Lebanon and the Region
Emile El-Hokayem Research Fellow The Henry L. Stimson Center Written Testimony Senate Foreign Relations Committee Near East and South Asia Subcommittee November 8, 2007 For a transcript of the hearing, please click here. For a video of the hearing, please click here. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, First, let me express my […]
Sarkozy in the Middle East: Between Zeal and Reality
By Emile El=Hokayem – In his first hundred days in office, France’s new President Nicolas Sarkozy has conducted an activist foreign policy reminiscent, in its rhythm and exposure, of his predecessor’s flamboyant opposition to the Iraq war. This time, however, French diplomacy in the Middle East is no longer about obstructing grandiose US plans. Rather, […]
Iraq’s Hot Summer … And Ours
It’s over 100 degrees every day in Iraq this month, and few people have reliable access to electricity. Imagine sitting at home when even a small electric fan lies still for many hours of the day. Iraqis are right to be discouraged by the state of affairs – the rich and powerful Americans have not […]