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Iraq’s Imam Ali Brigade militiamen vow to fight in Yemen next
  • Analysis
  • Iraq’s Imam Ali Brigade militiamen vow to fight in Yemen next

    In a recent video circulating on Iraqi social media, a man appears to be showing off rows of militiamen in the background as they conduct combat drills. He begins by giving an overhead view of several fighters of the Imam Ali Brigade, an Iranian-supported militia group within Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Force (PMF), marching in formation as they receive training. Before concluding the clip, he declares “Ila al-Yaman Insha’llah” (to Yemen, God willing).

    November 2, 2018

    The cross-currents shaping Washington’s Iranian oil policy
    President Hassan Rouhani
  • Analysis
  • The cross-currents shaping Washington’s Iranian oil policy

    Although the Trump administration has said it will issue temporary waivers to some major importers of Iranian oil, further declines in Iran’s exports are likely after sanctions come into effect on Nov. 4.

    November 2, 2018

    US sanctions on Iran’s oil exports
    Middle East Institute
  • Podcast
  • US sanctions on Iran’s oil exports

    MEI’s Alex Vatanka and Jean-Francois Seznec join host Paul Salem to discuss the impact of incoming U.S. sanctions on Iranian energy exports on Iran’s economy, the Gulf, and energy markets in general.

    November 1, 2018

    The politics of aid: GCC support for Bahrain
    King of Bahrain
  • Analysis
  • The politics of aid: GCC support for Bahrain

    The GCC aid package for Bahrain illustrates how massive capital flows underlie the contentious politics and strategic alliances within the Gulf and broader Middle East.

    October 30, 2018

    Iran prepares for US sanctions
  • Analysis
  • Iran prepares for US sanctions

    In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Alex Vatanka, Marvin G. Weinbaum, and Charles Lister provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including Iran’s decision to sell its oil in the private sector, the prime minister of Pakistan’s search for foreign aid, and the Syrian summit in Istanbul.

    Iran-backed Houthi rebels step up persecution of Baha’i minority in Yemen
  • Analysis
  • Iran-backed Houthi rebels step up persecution of Baha’i minority in Yemen

    Earlier last week, Iranian-backed Houthi authorities arrested 24 Baha’is on charges of espionage and apostasy, which are punishable by death. Amongst those arrested are eight women, a teenage girl, and 15 men that hold leadership positions in the Baha’i community in Yemen. The charges – including accusations of being agents for Israel, the U.S., and the U.K –were formalized during their trial, which took place secretly and without a prior notice on September 15. Followers of the faith claim that they have been subjected to increasing harassment  since the Houthis’ rise to power in 2014, and they attribute that to Iran’s influence over the rebel movement.

    October 2, 2018

    Trump’s UN speech and Middle East policy
    Middle East Institute
  • Podcast
  • Trump’s UN speech and Middle East policy

    It was a busy week for Middle East policy as President Trump touched on a range of key issues at the United National General Assembly in New York, including Iran sanctions, the intra-GCC dispute, OPEC policy, Saudi domestic reforms, and the Middle East peace process, among others. Gerald Feierstein, MEI’s director for policy research, programs and government relations, and Ahmad Majidyar, director for MEI’s IranObserved program, join host Paul Salem to break down what was said, as well as what issues were left off the agenda.

    September 28, 2018

    Iran under Sanctions: India and China over a Barrel
    Middle East Institute
  • Analysis
  • Iran under Sanctions: India and China over a Barrel

    Bearish and bullish factors are both at play in the global oil market, weighing on prices. The next big date on the calendar is November 4 — the point at which the 180-day wind-down period ends and U.S. sanctions on the Iranian energy sector are to be reinstated. Two days later, the U.S. midterm elections are due to take place.

    A turbulent trial for Tripoli | Monday Briefing
    Fayez al-Sarraj photo
  • Analysis
  • A turbulent trial for Tripoli | Monday Briefing

    In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Jonathan M. Winer, Robert S. Ford, and Alex Vatanka provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including political turmoil in Libya, the meeting between Turkey and Russia to discuss the fate of Idlib province, and Iran’s attempts to forge new relationships to offset U.S. sanctions.

    Anchor

    A turbulent trial for Tripoli 

    Relocating the Fifth Fleet?
    Fleet Bahrain
  • Analysis
  • Relocating the Fifth Fleet?

    Read the full article on The American Interest.

    As Bahraini government security services cracked down hard on popular protests against the ruling Al-Khalifa family in February 2011, the U.S. Department of Defense quietly considered alternative basing options for the Fifth Fleet, stationed permanently in Bahrain since 1995.

    August 22, 2018

    Can the US and Turkey mend fences in Manbij? | Monday Briefing
    Can the US and Turkey mend fences
  • Analysis
  • Can the US and Turkey mend fences in Manbij? | Monday Briefing

    In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Gonul Tol, Robert S. Ford, Bilal Y. Saab, and Mirette F. Mabrouk provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including Turkey-U.S. cooperation in Syria amid diplomatic tensions, talks between U.S. and Russian officials on Syria policy, the implications of a new Iranian fighter jet, and Egypt’s revitalized work in regional diplomacy.

    Total leaves Iran as energy sanctions loom
    South Pars
  • Analysis
  • Total leaves Iran as energy sanctions loom

    Last week, major news outlets reported that China National Petroleum Corporation had acquired French oil and gas company Total’s share in the development of Iran’s South Pars gas field, citing an elusive article published by Iranian state news agency IRNA.

    August 17, 2018

    Turkey’s currency crisis rages on
    Turkey’s currency crisis rages on
  • Analysis
  • Turkey’s currency crisis rages on

    In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Gonul Tol, Robert S. Ford, Randa Slim, and Marvin G. Weinbaum provide analysis on Turkey’s currency crisis, talks in Ankara over the future of Idlib, Abadi’s chances of clinging to the premiership, and the Taliban’s capture of Ghazni.

    Anchor

    Iran sanctions may see US-Turkey ties get a lot worse
    Trump and Erdogan
  • Analysis
  • Iran sanctions may see US-Turkey ties get a lot worse

    This week, the Trump administration reimposed economic sanctions on Iran, targeting mainly financial transactions with and commercial airline sales to Iran. Tougher sanctions to stop the sale of Iranian gas and oil will go into effect in November. In a tweet, President Donald Trump issued a strong warning to those trading with Iran: “Anyone doing business with Iran will NOT be doing business with the United States.” Its NATO ally Turkey is defiant. In a Jul.

    Will US sanctions bring Iran back to the negotiating table?
    Iranian leaders
  • Analysis
  • Will US sanctions bring Iran back to the negotiating table?

    In this week’s Monday Briefing, MEI experts Ahmad Majidyar, Gerald Feierstein, and Charles Lister provide analysis on the first batch of U.S. sanctions on Iran, leaked emails that may undermine the Trump administration’s Mideast peace plan, and the assassination of a Syrian military scientist.

    Will US sanctions bring Iran back to the negotiating table?

    August 6, 2018