Topic: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
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Iran fires at US drone: the top 3 pressing questions
Iranian military forces fired at a US Predator drone for the first time ever earlier this month, the Pentagon acknowledged this week. It’s a revelation that has raised a host of questions for the US military. Here are the top three.
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Why no safe zone in Syria, yet? 5 complications
The flood of Syrian refugees entering Turkey – as many as 5,000 a day for the last 10 days – has ratcheted up the pressure for a safe zone’s creation. But a safe zone is complicated and carries many risks.
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Iran's bid for power in postwar Iraq
As Iraqi Prime Minister Nour al-Maliki meets President Obama in Washington, Tehran is trying to broaden its influence in Iraq by installing a heavy-hitting cleric there.
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Is the West waging a covert war against Iran?
Iran called the Nov. 12 explosion at a key missile development center an accident. But there is increasing speculation that it was in fact part of a covert war against Iran.
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Why Iran lashes out at West
Is Iran pursuing a systematic strategy to provoke its enemies? It's not always that simple.
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A turning point for Syria protests?
Syrian Army defectors launched a fresh assault on a pro-government group yesterday. Some say their concentrated military action could be the turning point for the Syrian protest movement.
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How will US retaliate against Iran for alleged assassination plot?
Military reprisal is justified, some analysts say. But initially the US is likely to take a diplomatic course, trying to further isolate Iran after its alleged role in an assassination plot on US soil.
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Turkey's Erdogan heads to Egypt, unnerving an embattled Israel
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's North Africa tour comes at a critical time for Israel, whose diplomats were forced to flee Cairo this weekend after protesters attacked the Israeli embassy.
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Why hasn't President Obama called for Syria's Assad to go?
As the death count rises in Syria, calls are mounting for President Obama to denounce Syria's President Bashar al-Assad. But Syria's pivotal role in the region and fragile ethnic and religious balance are complicating the situation.
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Syria defiant despite increased regional pressure
Turkey's foreign minister pushed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today to end the violence. But Syria, which launched more assaults today, has rarely yielded to such pressure in the past.
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Syria introduces law allowing independent political parties
The bill, approved by the cabinet yet awaiting agreement from Syria's parliament, is the regime's latest concession to protesters. But it includes some restrictions that could limit its impact.
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Is Assad losing Syria? As concerns grow, US urges halt to 'intimidation.'
A realization appears to be growing in the West and the Middle East that Assad's regime is falling apart amid its crackdown on dissent. The State Department urges him to accept political dialogue.
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Opinion: Turkey's shift on Syria gives West room to get tougher on Assad
After a decade of much warmer relations between Ankara and Damascus, Turkey’s tough new stance against the Assad regime's crackdown on protesters should provide Washington and the West with the opportunity – if not the impetus – to adopt a more assertive stance on Syria.
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Obama's Middle East goal: Tie US policy closer to American values
Obama's insistence that US policy in the Middle East support, rather than thwart, popular yearnings for self-rule is a warning to autocrats in the region – and marks an 'update' since his Cairo speech.
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Netanyahu brings starkly different vision to Obama's White House
While President Obama has voiced support for pro-democracy uprisings across the Middle East, the instability has made Israel's Netanyahu wary of making concessions for peace.
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Once seen as shy reformer, Syria's Assad confounds hopes
Many thought that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was at heart a reformer. But his response to unprecedented protests and violence suggest otherwise.
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US Air Force chief: Libya no-fly zone would be too little, too late
Many experts agree with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who told Congress Thursday that a no-fly zone in Libya 'would not be sufficient.' But there are other options short of putting troops on the ground, which President Obama has ruled out.
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What are pros and cons of a no-fly zone over Libya?
As some Congressional leaders urges military intervention in Libya, the Pentagon emphasizes the difficulty of implementing a no-fly zone or other proposed military solutions.
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How Egyptians toppled Mubarak – and who will lead them now
A grass-roots revolution outmaneuvered Mubarak's powerful regime. But bringing real democratic reform to Egypt will be harder without clear leadership.
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Obama's pressure on Mubarak could cost US regional influence
As it increases pressure on Mubarak to resign, the US risks being seen as abandoning a longtime friend. The result could be the lasting mistrust of key Middle East partners.
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Fort Hood attack: Did Army ignore red flags out of political correctness?
A Senate report on the Fort Hood attack suggests that the Army failed to heed warnings about the prime suspect because it was wary of singling out a devout Muslim.
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Could Syria see an uprising like Egypt's? Not likely.
In Syria, opposition activists are organizing their own 'day of rage' – but longstanding intimidation tactics and repression make it unlikely significant numbers will be out on the streets.
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Palestine papers: America's approach to peace talks 'a failed policy'?
The Palestine papers, leaked documents purporting to reveal details of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, may create obstacles to ongoing talks – or sweep away failed strategies and allow new progress.
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Obama and Mideast peace: Time ripe to push again for breakthrough?
With political wins hard to come by at home, the president could look abroad for accomplishments to tout during the 2012 race.
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US sends ambassador to Syria for the first time in six years
US ambassador Robert Ford faces a daunting list of diplomatic concerns in Syria. If he fails to make headway, the Senate could bring him home by year's end.
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Israeli and Palestinian negotiators fault US focus on settlements
Both sides, together with the US, appear to be regrouping after the Obama administration gave up on securing another settlement freeze.
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In Qom, Iran's supreme leader Khamenei aims to cement leadership over clerics
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a high-profile visit to Qom today to demonstrate his leadership over a religious establishment divided by last year's election.
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