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Real clear world: A former terrorist inside the white house
Politics
NYT: The President and A Former Terrorist Meet at the White House
Politics
The Syrian Unity Predicament: Files of Sovereignty, Security, and the Kurdish Issue
Palestinian-Israeli conflict
Trump’s Plan: Second Phase Scenarios
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The Rising Powers in the East
While the U.S. strives to reiterate its domination over the current world order, the continuity of such unilateral power, in the long run, is indefinite, given the emerging active international powers that seek to assert their presence in the international arena. Despite this heated competition over international issues, rational cooperation and costs of international conflicts prevent progressing this competition towards direct engagement. As such, this article discusses the future expansion of China, Russia, and India as rising powers and the extent to which such expansion would conflict with the existing balance of powers.
Domination Over Waterways
Maritime security, in its broader sense, is of strategic importance to international powers due to their direct association with energy security. Waterways or straits are considered "choke-points", which are defined in the military strategy as points of congestion for their geographical positioning. Therefore, such points give superiority for whoever controls them. This article examines facts and expectations related to the strategic importance of the Straits of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb since the Middle East oil passes through these two straits into the world markets, while also passing through the Cape of Good Hope, the Strait of Malacca, Indonesian straits, and the Suez Canal.
The Success Chances of an "Arab NATO"
Forming an Arab NATO would be a challenge for member states and countries that sponsor it. Although forming this cooperation has become necessary to protect Arab national security and to defend common Arab national interests, agreeing on such a massive unified military project is not an easy decision. This article responds to questions regarding the success of this project, its effect on the Middle East stability, and potential challenges it could face.
The U.S. Foreign Policy
Does the United States, represented by President Trump’s decisions, rely on a realistic strategy that shows the U.S. course of action, opportunities, strengths, and threats? This question has become most significant after President Donald Trump took office in January 2017 and began to announce his decisions and directions. This article, therefore, discusses several justifications and analyses for the existence of a clear U.S. strategy.
Does the Middle East still Occupy the Center Stage?
In light of the recent events in both regional and international arenas, many question whether the Middle East is still at the forefront of the U.S. international security interests; a question this article attempts to answer after presenting a historical overview of the U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
The Future of the World's Energy Resources
Following the widespread notion of the depletion of existing energy resources, which has led to the emergence of climate change and the global warming crisis, the world is now searching for alternative energy resources to traditional resources known to humankind, to be used in economic development, technological progress, and an arms race. In this context, this article highlights some renewable and non-renewable energy resources and their global demand, in addition to energy resources to which the world will resort in the future. In this context, this article highlights some renewable and non-renewable energy resources and their global demand, in addition to energy resources to which the world will resort in the future.
The Future of Populist Movements in Europe
Right-wing populism is currently witnessing a historic moment in its political course; if this movement succeeds –in the medium term– in employing suitable conditions to enhance its presence in influential European capitals, a new European reality will exist, posing an existential challenge to the European Union as a unified political entity. Thus, what are the circumstances accompanying the growing populism in Europe? And what are the foundations of a voter-oriented populist discourse?
The Future of Iraq's Stability
Amid the political chaos in Iraq and its impact on many sectors and aspects, particularly the economics aspect, it became imperative for the Iraqi government to focus on "comprehensive development planning", a concept that should be supported by a secure and stable political climate. This is necessary considering the absence of law, the spread of security chaos, loss of national resources, and the emigration of capital owners. As such, this article addresses the reality of the economic situation in Iraq and its future, highlighting the status of Iraq and its ranks among key international economic indicators.
The Future Course of Transformations in Iran
The sanctions imposed since 4th of November might encourage the region to achieve desired compromises and increase strategic costs of the Iranian influence in the region. Yet, Washington gives Iran a room for maneuver for two reasons; to resort to secret negotiations and to balance the pressure on Iran so as to avoid the eruption of war, a possibility that the region cannot endure its costs. However, there are no guarantees that the U.S. strategy would achieve its goals and bring Iran to negotiate over a comprehensive agreement; however, some believe that the use of U.S. escalating pressure could succeed in this strategy. Published in STRATEGIECS Outlook Report in February 2019, this article examines the extent to which Tehran can endure the costs of "maximum pressure", and to what extent will the U.S. administration proceed with its relentless efforts to change Iran's regional behavior?