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The US competes to be the “partner of choice” in the Gulf
Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
  • Analysis
  • The US competes to be the “partner of choice” in the Gulf

    Even as the United States continues the strategic pivot to the Pacific inaugurated by the Obama administration, the competition for security and control of maritime space in the Red Sea and eastern Mediterranean is intensifying.

    October 25, 2021

    Tunisia's political crisis
    Middle East Institute
  • Podcast
  • Tunisia's political crisis

    Lilia Blaise and Fadil Aliriza join Intissar Fakir for a discussion on Tunisia’s political turmoil following President Kais Saied’s series of moves since July to reshape the country’s government.

    October 22, 2021

    Far from a benefactor, the Turkish government is exploiting Somalia’s fragility
    Photo by STUART PRICE/AU-UN IST PHOTO/AFP via Getty Images
  • Analysis
  • Far from a benefactor, the Turkish government is exploiting Somalia’s fragility

    A decade has passed since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan landed in Mogadishu at the height of one of Somalia’s worst famines, announcing grandiose projects like the launch of Turkish Airlines flights to the Somali capital, the remodeling of a hospital, and the opening of the biggest embassy in Africa, all designed to show that Turkey’s mission goes well beyond aid and that Ankara is an alternative to Somalia’s traditional donors. Erdoğan’s historic visit earned him high praise throughout Somalia. Although his trip appeared to be a heartfelt humanitarian mission, in reality it was part of a long-term, strategically planned effort. A decade on, Somalis are starting to realize that Turkey has evolved from friend to foe, trade partner to trade protectionist, state builder to outright spoiler.

    October 21, 2021

    في جميع أنحاء المنطقة المغاربية، لا يزال الدعم منخفضًا لجميع الجهات الفاعلة الخارجية، بما في ذلك الصين وروسيا
  • Commentary
  • في جميع أنحاء المنطقة المغاربية، لا يزال الدعم منخفضًا لجميع الجهات الفاعلة الخارجية، بما في ذلك الصين وروسيا

    هذا المقال يأتي ضمن سلسلة من أربعة أجزاء نشرها معهد الشرق الأوسط بالتعاون مع الباروميتر العربي لتحليل نتائج الدورة السادسة من استطلاعات الباروميتر العربي.

    The Schism of Jihadism in the Sahel: How Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are Battling for Legitimacy in the Sahelian Context
    Photo by THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images.
  • Analysis
  • The Schism of Jihadism in the Sahel: How Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State are Battling for Legitimacy in the Sahelian Context

    This paper examines the prospects of jihadist expansion in the Sahel region and its implications for security actors and civilian populations alike. It investigates the role of propaganda and public discourse narratives in bolstering jihadist group legitimacy and advancing attempts by groups seeking to generate local embeddedness and mass support. It offers a nuanced perspective of inter-jihadist contestation, one that goes beyond mere focusing on security operations and clashes and delves more deeply into group framing and identity.

    October 13, 2021

    Zogby survey highlights Tunisia’s bumpy road
    Photo by Chedly Ben Ibrahim/NurPhoto via Getty Images
  • Commentary
  • Zogby survey highlights Tunisia’s bumpy road

    On Oct. 4, MEI hosted a discussion with Dr. James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute and founder of Zogby Research Services (ZRS); Elizia Volkmann, a British freelance journalist based in Tunis; and Dr. Eya Jrad, researcher and assistant professor of security studies at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research Tunisia. The conversation revolved around the findings of a ZRS survey of 1,551 Tunisians conducted between Aug. 15 and Sept. 5 covering their attitudes and optimism regarding the future.

    October 7, 2021

    في استطلاعات الرأي، يتحدث التونسيون عن مظالم اقتصادية مستمرة
  • Commentary
  • في استطلاعات الرأي، يتحدث التونسيون عن مظالم اقتصادية مستمرة

    هذا المقال يأتي ضمن سلسلة من أربعة أجزاء نشرها معهد الشرق الأوسط بالتعاون مع الباروميتر العربي لتحليل نتائج الدورة السادسة من استطلاعات الباروميتر العربي.

    October 7, 2021

    Algeria’s foreign policy: Between hope and reality
    Photo by RYAD KRAMDI/AFP via Getty Images
  • Analysis
  • Algeria’s foreign policy: Between hope and reality

    On Oct. 2, Algerian authorities recalled their ambassador to France for consultations amid rising tensions between the two countries. This followed France’s imposition of stricter restrictions on visa quotas for Algerians and critical comments from the French president, Emmanuel Macron. Relations between France and Algeria have long been complicated for historical reasons, but this latest episode comes after a bigger diplomatic crisis between Algeria and Morocco, which resulted in Algiers announcing on Aug. 25 that it was cutting diplomatic relations with Rabat. These actions demonstrate Algeria’s newly assertive foreign policy approach that capitalizes on its military and diplomatic corps. This includes high-level meetings of Army Chief of Staff Said Chengriha and frequent visits by Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra to Algeria’s neighbors to rehabilitate the country’s image after years of absence.

    October 4, 2021

    الجزائر: بعض التفاؤل بالمستقبل وسط مخاوف من الوباء وآثاره الاقتصادية
  • Commentary
  • الجزائر: بعض التفاؤل بالمستقبل وسط مخاوف من الوباء وآثاره الاقتصادية

    هذا المقال يأتي ضمن سلسلة من أربعة أجزاء نشرها معهد الشرق الأوسط بالتعاون مع الباروميتر العربي لتحليل نتائج الدورة السادسة من استطلاعات الباروميتر العربي.

    October 1, 2021

    Across the Maghreb, support for all outside actors, including China and Russia, remains low
    Photo by Jdidi Wassim/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
  • Analysis
  • Across the Maghreb, support for all outside actors, including China and Russia, remains low

    In recent years, China and Russia have gradually increased their influence in the Maghreb. The two powers, relative newcomers to the regional scene compared to Europe and the U.S., have been building stronger commercial, security, and diplomatic ties to the Maghreb countries of Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. However, these ties have not yet translated into significant popular approval or support.