June 11th, 2015 / January 7th, 2019
International Affairs
Further Reading
Regional Opposition to US Policies in the Middle East
According to Arab critics, the US’ policies in the Middle East have in recent years been vague at best, faltering at worst and almost invariably counterproductive. © Copyright Notice click on link to view the associated photo/image ©Hollandse Ho...
Russia in the Middle East: The Empire Strikes Back
Today, Russia has a presence in almost all of the Soviet Union’s former zones of influence, namely Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Yemen, Libya and Algeria. Furthermore, it is getting closer to the other non-Arab hegemon apart from Iran; Turkey. The Middle East t...
Strategic Ties Extend Russia’s Influence in the Middle East and Mediterranean
President Putin may feel justified in permitting himself a smile when reflecting on his foreign policy achievements in West Asia. Egypt has now moved closer to Russia and is prepared to further enhance its economic, military and political ties with Moscow....
The Key Drivers of North African Illegal Migration to Europe
The proximity of North Africa to southern Europe, the liberal mobility policies of most European countries, and the historical links between northern and southern Mediterranean countries are all key factors encouraging people to migrate to Europe. © ...
The League of Arab States
The League of Arab States was founded in Cairo on 22 March 1945 by Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Yemen. One of its aims is to establish a close cooperation among the member countries. © Copyright Notice click on link to ...
Gulf Arabs Differ on Iran Nuclear Deal
Although all the Gulf countries officially welcomed the deal, the positions of their governments varied significantly. Official statements showed that Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are the most worried about the consequences of the nuclear deal. Qatar also...
Obama’s Legacy: What Went Right, What Went Wrong?
Obama’s strategy of avoiding direct military engagement in conflicts in the Middle East was a departure from his predecessor’s policy, whose invasion of Iraq in 2003 many consider as having directly led to the birth of ISIS. Instead, the president has...
Perception of US policy in the Middle East
The Obama administration’s effort to encourage its Arab allies to carry a bigger burden in promoting peace in the Middle East has not revitalized its alliances with a new sense of common purpose and cooperation. Rather, it has left traditional partners f...
The Post-Brexit Reality in the MENA
It has already become clear that intensifying trade relations with the countries of the Gulf ranks very high on Britain’s list of strategic priorities. In a December speech 2016 outlining British foreign policy post-Brexit, Secretary for Foreign Affairs B...
Sykes-Picot Agreement
Representatives from France and Great Britain negotiated what came to be known as the Sykes-Picot Agreement, a tentative agreement on the division of spheres of influence in the territories of the disintegrating Ottoman Empire. The agreement was eventually...
Trump Has “Strong Plan” for Islamic State in Syria But Details Unclear
It is clear that defeating IS is a priority for Trump, as it was for his predecessor Barack Obama. What is unclear are the details of any plan or policy to achieve this, and Trump’s responses on Syria have been unexpected, to say the least. © Copyright No...
Cyberattacks a Major Concern in the Middle East
Cyberattacks in the Middle East have typically been carried out by hackers targeting the oil and gas sectors and other key industries, and by governments targeting activists and journalists within their own countries. © Copyright Notice click on link ...
China and the Middle East: Relations Lubricated with Oil
Observers have described the relationship between China and the Middle East as politically ‘baggage free’. Since it became a net importer of oil in 1992 and subsequently the world’s largest importer of crude oil, China has been predominantly interested in se...
Walled Off: the Rising Popularity of Border Barriers
One of the greatest drivers of wall-building in recent years has been the war in Syria. As the conflict has become more complex and the number of armed groups larger, Syria’s neighbours have increasingly seen border walls as a way to insulate themselves f...
1840, the Year Egypt Failed to Become a Regional Power
On 15 July 1840, Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia signed the London Convention. This granted Muhammad Ali and his descendants permanent control over Egypt if he withdrew his forces from all occupied areas in Syria, Adan, the holy cities in Hijaz...
Muslim Travellers Boost Halal Tourism in Middle East and Asia
In an article published on Vocativ in December 2013, the most halal, ‘is determined by the availability of halal food, prayer direction indicated in room, whether they serve alcohol, and if there is a hand shower or bidet in bathroom (for ablution before p...
The Trump Factor and Iran’s Internal Politics
Indeed, the Trump factor is giving hardliners an ideal platform to enforce the anti-American views they have championed for four decades. Even if the current tensions between the two countries do not result in military confrontation, the shifting political...
Is Normalizing Ties with Israel the Price for standing up to Iran?
Foremost among the consequences is a growing sense that the Saudis, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, are now pursuing de facto normalization with Israel by means of closer security and political coordination to contain the growing Iranian...
Fate of Palestinian Refugee Agency Uncertain as US Threatens to Cut Funding
If the Trump administration follows through on its threats, it could mean the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from the United States (US) that goes to education, health care and food aid for Palestinian refugees via the United Nations...
How Trump’s Iran Policies are Playing into the Hands of the Regime
President Hassan Rouhani said citizens have the right to protest but that Trump “has no right to sympathize with Iranians”. He added, “This man in America who is sympathizing today with our people has forgotten that he called the Iranian nation terro...
Follow the Money: EU Accused of Funding Sudanese Militias in Migrant Crackdown
It appears that the EU has financed Sudan’s repressive security services indirectly. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, which receives a good portion of the money from the EU to combat smugglers and traffickers, has admitted to providing motorbikes to Sudan’s Nat...
How Trump is Pushing Iran into Russia’s Arms
Trump’s policy is pushing Iran towards Russia. In order to preserve its position in the region, Iran knows that it needs international allies and backing. Russia, therefore, is an important international actor that can balance the US, which is backing I...
Gulf Leaders Warm to Israel but Citizens don't follow
There appears to be decreasing appetite for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict among Gulf leaders, due to the conflict’s stalemate, the deadlock in Palestinian politics and the inefficacy of Mahmoud Abbas’ leadership,” she noted. “But the Palestinian issue d...
Canada the Latest Western Country to Fall Foul of Saudi Crackdown on Dissent
Rather than ignoring Freeland’s tweet, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (also known as MBS) hit back hard. He expelled the Canadian ambassador, recalled the Saudi ambassador to Canada, froze all new trade, cancelled direct flights to Toronto, a...
Trump's UNRWA Funding Cut Aims to Erase Palestinian Right of Return
All the evidence points to the UNRWA crisis being mainly political, not financial. It therefore requires a political decision by the UN either to maintain UNRWA’s current mandate to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees around the w...
US Attack on International Criminal Court Could Spell Disaster for Palestinians
In opening an investigation and subsequently prosecuting senior Israelis, the ICC will be sending a powerful message that Palestinians, like all other peoples, are worthy of justice, and that redress is not a gift but a right that must be unconditionally...
Divide and Conquer: Netanyahu Woos Eastern Europe in Bid to Rattle EU
In recent years, Israeli government officials, and members of government proxy groups, have visited European countries to convince parliamentarians that funding the Palestinian Authority means subsidizing terrorists, or to pressure them to adopt a definition...
OPEC Reinvents Itself
It is now clear all those experts were wrong. While OPEC may not be as powerful as before, it is still very much alive. Its alliance with Russia enables the organization to cooperate with 10 other non-member states, which is vital to limiting global oil...
Iran Accused of Assassinations in Europe: What Happened and Why?
But what is certain is that the Rouhani administration is caught between two main scenarios: the first involving external (Israel and MEK) plans to frame Iran and the second, which has internal rogue elements working against Rouhani’s foreign policy. B...
Khashoggi Case Puts Saudi Actions in Yemen Front and Center
The assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on 2 October 2018 while he was inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul prompted a multitude of reactions from the international community, particularly regarding Saudi Arabia, whose authorities are...
The Global Compact for Migration and Migration Reform in Morocco
Non-refoulement is the central principle of international refugee law, which stipulates that nobody can be returned to their country of origin or any country where they have a well-founded fear of torture or persecution. As a compromise, the GCM does...
Trump in the Middle East
More aggressive to US enemies, arguably more erratic with US allies and with the financial benefit to the US at the centre of his foreign policy, Trump’s involvement in the Middle East has not been a stabilizing factor in one of the most turbulent periods o...
Traversing Divisions: Arab League and EU Meet in First Desert Summit
Despite the display of unity, neither side could agree on a final summit statement. EU and Arab League foreign ministers also failed to agree on a text after Hungary objected to a section on migration. Nevertheless, the summit was deemed a success for...
Trump Recognizes Israeli Sovereignty over Golan Heights, Hinders Peace
Trump’s move helps Israel maintain the status quo. Yet while there were no negotiations to determine the fate of the Golan Heights, Trump’s decision is widely perceived as an impediment to regional peace. © Copyright Notice click on link to view the ...
US Anti-Iran Policy in Iraq: Countering Tehran’s Upper Hand
But to replace Iran’s exports to Iraq, the US and its allies need to have Iraq’s ruling elites on board, which is highly unlikely given that many of them are backed by Tehran; and provide real alternatives for Iraq’s need for Iran’s electricity and gas...
Perilous Politics: Is Trump Setting US on Course for War with Iran?
For now, Iran has continued to abide by the terms of the nuclear deal, despite the US withdrawal. However, this may be coming to an end: Rouhani declared earlier this month that Iran would walk back some of the deal’s obligations. © Copyright Notice cl...
Bahrain Workshop – Road to the Deal of the Century?
International funding for the Palestinian Authority for over 25 years has led some countries, especially in Europe and the Middle East, to lose enthusiasm for what they see as financing the perpetuation of the Israeli occupation. As long as there is no...
The Consequences of Boycotting Iranian Oil
The Iranian threats were made clear: if Iran is to be suffocated, the global economy will face a real danger. This is of course Iran’s last option, but should be very much effective and annoying to Washington’s strategic community. © Copyright Notice clic...
Why does China keep buying oil from Iran? Look at China and Iran's long history of political and economic ties
Iran’s main bet on defying U.S. pressure is whether it can find parties that can help circumvent U.S. sanctions, especially in its oil exports. China is one of Iran’s major importers and seems to eye a strategic interest in supporting Iran’s policy of re...
The EU Has Figured Out a Way to Trade with Iran. Here's What You Need to Know
In the background, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps captured the British tanker Stena Impero and its 23 crew members in the Gulf on 19 July, provoked by the UK detaining an Iranian tanker off Gibraltar to stop it taking oil to Syria, which some reports...
Can UNRWA Withstand Another Blow?
The crisis hitting UNRWA is therefore not just a crisis of funding or misconduct, but is connected to attitudes towards its existence due to its symbolic affiliation with the right of return. Global support for the organisation still remains high but...
The Saudi Oil Crisis is One that Could Affect Us All
The effects of an attack on a major Saudi oil facility on 14 September 2019 have been felt far beyond the powerful petrostate. The incident brings a network of states and allies closer to direct military confrontation while rocking stock and energy markets....
Global Oil Prices at Risk following Saudi Aramco Attack
Considering the target and extent of the attack, oil prices have remained relatively stable. There could be well-founded concerns on the horizon, however, given the less than clear messaging on the damage caused to the Saudi facility and its ability to...
Examining the Implications of Russia’s Growing Influence in the Middle East
For Russia, extending its hand to the region might indeed be useful; for Saudi Arabia, the decision appears more pragmatic as its once go-to allies for economic cooperation have been the US and Europe. However, the Saudis have several reasons to no longer...
China’s Belt and Road Initiative Will Almost Certainly Include Iran
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has attracted global attention. Many questions were raised with regards to its scope, aims and feasibility. Now, five years on and with two major meetings concluded (the second was the size of a UN General Assembly), t...
Tankers and task forces: The US-Iranian war dance
The imbalance of forces between the US and Iran all but assures Washington of military dominance over Iran. Tehran knows this, and the country can hardly want to face an invasion. Plus, the apparent failure of explosives in the two seaborne attacks does...
US Recognition of Illegal Settlements Puts Israel a Step Closer to Annexing Parts of West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, welcomed the statement, saying it “rights a historical wrong”, adding that Israeli courts were the place to determine the legality of the settlements, “not biased international forums that pay no at...
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click on link to view the associated photo/image
©Hollandse Hoogte | ©Hollandse Hoogte ⁃ Laurent Gillieron
Authors
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