CFR.org - Middle East

West Must Not Intervene Militarily in Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:15:54 -0500

Ed Husain says military options in Syria would do much more harm than good.

Palestinian Unity Deal in a Changing Middle East

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:55:32 -0500

The Hamas-Fatah unity deal reflects Palestinian efforts to find new patrons and new sources of support in the region, says CFR's Robert M. Danin.

The United States and Iran: On the Brink (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:03:10 -0500

Trita Parsi, founder and president of the National Iranian American Council, discusses the course of U.S.-Iran relations and escalating tensions surrounding the nuclear question, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call series.

Learn more about CFR's resources for the classroom at Educators Home.

The Gulf Is Where It's At

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:32:09 -0500

Ray Takeyh states, "Despite all the exhilarating and disturbing changes in Egypt and the Levant, the center of gravity of the region has moved to the Gulf."

NYT: In Syria, We Need to Bargain With the Devil

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:33:39 -0500

Nicholas Noe argues that an internationally led reconciliation effort and subsequent peace-keeping presence in Syria would bypass the resulting destruction of a military intervention or civil war, while still keeping the diplomatic upper hand.

Syria: The Alternatives Narrow

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:27:00 -0500

Elliott Abrams says the United States must take the steps to ensure the demise of the Assad regime in Syria.

The Doha Palestinian Unity Agreement: Now the Hard Part

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:52:56 -0500

Robert M. Danin states, "Monday's Fatah-Hamas unity agreement announced in Doha marks the latest in a series of unimplemented accords between the two Palestinian adversaries."

Life After Assad Could Be Worse

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:10:23 -0500

Ed Husain argues that it is impossible to tell whether Bashar al-Assad's time is running out, but containing--not fanning--the current conflict in Syria is in everybody's interests.

R2P in Crisis Following UN Syria Vote

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:43:32 -0500

The Russian and Chinese veto of a UN Security Council resolution calling for an end to violence in Syria calls into question the viability of the Responsibility to Protect doctrine and poses a dilemma for the Obama administration, says CFR's Stewart Patrick.

Israel and Netanyahu, Pipe Down the Threats of War on Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:44:21 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb says Israeli threats undercut prospects for a settlement with Iran.

Syria's Deepening Crisis

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:38:14 -0500

Amid increasing fears of a civil war in Syria following the failure of the UN Security Council resolution, analysts remain divided over the question of intervention and how best to address the crisis.

U.S. State Department Statement on Embassy Closure in Syria, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:51:38 -0500

The U.S. Department of State released this statement regarding the suspension of embassy operations in Syria on February 6, 2012.

Obama's Statement on Syria, February 2012

Council on Foreign Relations — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:32:16 -0500

President Obama gave this statement on Syria on February 4, 2012.

A Third Option for Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:55:59 -0500

The extraordinary risks posed by a nuclear-armed Iran require Washington and its partners to step up activity on economic sanctions and diplomacy, even while preparing military options, says CFR President Richard N. Haass.

Iran and the U.S.-Saudi Relationship

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:34:58 -0500

The U.S.-Saudi relationship has become increasingly strained since the onset of the Arab awakening, and Iran's nuclear ambitions could pose further challenges, says expert F. Gregory Gause III.

We Intervene in Syria at Our Peril

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:39:30 -0500

Ed Husain argues that Western military involvement in Syria would worsen violence, not end it, and could spread the conflict beyond Syria's borders.

Security Council Showdown on Syria

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:47:20 -0500

A UN Security Council resolution calling for Syria's President Assad to step down faces stiff Russian opposition. Expert Andrew Tabler examines Russia's motives, Syria's internal fissures, and the prospects for ongoing violence.

Leslie H. Gelb on How President Obama Should Handle Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:26:18 -0500

Leslie H. Gelb says that in order to deal with Iran, President Obama needs to show the courage of offering a solid peace proposal instead of just drawing chest-thumping red lines.

Women's Voices on the Arab Spring: Isobel Coleman

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:59:05 -0500

Isobel Coleman discusses the role of women in the Arab Spring.

Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East

Council on Foreign Relations — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:42:56 -0500

Leading regional experts Gregory Gause, III and Toby C. Jones assess the stability of Saudi Arabia, its role in the reshaped region, and the future of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Answering Iran

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:46:35 -0500

Richard N. Haass argues that Iran's nuclear program may be the most important international issue in 2012.

The Arab League

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:38:43 -0500

Founded as a loose confederation of states in 1945, the Arab League has struggled to overcome dysfunction and disunity among its members. The Arab revolts of 2011 offer the League a new opportunity to pursue necessary reforms, increase legitimacy, and prove its relevance.

Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:38 -0500

Leading regional experts Gregory Gause, III and Toby C. Jones assess the stability of Saudi Arabia, its role in the reshaped region, and the future of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East (Audio)

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:17 -0500

Leading regional experts Gregory Gause, III and Toby C. Jones assess the stability of Saudi Arabia, its role in the reshaped region, and the future of U.S.-Saudi relations.

Egypt's Revolt and the American Model

Council on Foreign Relations — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:11:19 -0500

Ed Husain argues that the current trajectory of the United States in the Middle East—of dancing around developments, leading from behind and expressing defeatist thinking—needs to stop.

Egypt and Its Demons

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:42:46 -0500

Steven A. Cook says another year of struggle is to be expected in Egypt, as Egypt's future rests with two familiar powers playing very unfamiliar roles: the military and the Muslim Brotherhood.

Screening of Qarantina (Video)

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:38:40 -0500

Iraqi filmmaker Oday Rasheed discusses his second film, Qarantina, which follows the story of a broken family in Baghdad who takes in a mysterious boarder.

Qarantina is part of the Global Lens 2012 film series and was co-presented with the Global Film Initiative.

The New York Times: Will Israel Attack Iran?

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:00:10 -0500

After exploring Israel's ability, legitimacy, and necessity to attack Iran, Ronen Bergman believes that the country would certainly do so in 2012.

Qarantina: Film Screening and Discussion

Council on Foreign Relations — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:27:26 -0500

Iraqi filmmaker Oday Rasheed discusses his second film, Qarantina, which follows the story of a broken family in Baghdad who takes in a mysterious boarder. Qarantina is part of the Global Lens 2012 film series and was co-presented with the Global Film Initiative.

Limits of EU's Iranian Oil Embargo

Council on Foreign Relations — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:07:55 -0500

The European Union's embargo on Iranian oil may bring Iran to the negotiating table but is unlikely to halt its controversial nuclear program, says CFR's Matthew Kroenig.