MENA February 22, 2021 IRAN: Resumed Iran Diplomacy Will Provide No Easy Path Iran, Politics, US JCPOA Jon B. Alterman Iran is likely to restrict UN inspectors’ access to nuclear sites on 23 February, following the expiration of a deadline the Iranian parliament imposed on European countries to provide sanctions relief.… Read the rest ... Read More...
editorial, Egypt February 3, 2021 EGYPT: Continuing to Cruise in Choppy Waters Egypt, Politics editorial Jon B. Alterman Egypt’s economy continues to outpace the rest of the Middle East, despite the effects of COVID-19 on tourism and shipping. The state remains the key driver of the economy, focused on major, visible projects.… Read the rest ... Read More...
MENA March 3, 2021 MENA: Saudi-US relations under the spotlight Saudi Arabia, Middle East, Politics, US editorial Jon B. Alterman The US intelligence community assessment on the Khashoggi assassination is not as damaging as feared. Biden’s strategy is not to downgrade the relationship, but instead to make it conditions-based. Congressional pressure is likely to grow to punish those involved publicly, and... Read More...
editorial, MENA January 26, 2021 MENA: After 10 years, Arab Spring re-run unlikely Middle East, Politics editorial Jon B. Alterman The Arab Spring, now ten years on, generally had a greater positive impact in Arab countries that weren’t touched by protests than those that were. Middle- and low-income Arab states have been unable to make large strides addressing youth unemployment,... Read More...
Middle East & North Africa January 5, 2021 MIDDLE EAST: Neighbors mend fences with Qatar Qatar, UAE, Emerging Markets, Politics editorial Jon B. Alterman, Tobias Harris Qatar signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the other Gulf Cooperation Council states to mend a 3 and half year old rift. This agreement is more of a ceasefire than a peace agreement, and tensions... Read More...
MENA November 16, 2020 MIDDLE EAST: Biden will not turn on US partners in the region Middle East, Politics Biden, editorial Jon B. Alterman Biden will remain fundamentally sympathetic to Israel, building on his long record as a friend. Saudi Arabia will need to show value to new administration while quietly hedging against a more distant relationship.… Read the rest ... Read More...
MENA September 21, 2020 LEBANON: Still stuck Lebanon, Emerging Markets, Politics Jon B. Alterman Lebanon’s governance crisis has continued, driven by traditional sectarian parties’ determination to retain control. The French-led effort to guide Lebanon’s politics toward reform remains the principal external driver of events, but internal dynamics continue to dominate.… Read... Read More...
June 8, 2020 MIDDLE EAST: Arab Gulf states adjusting to post-Covid-19 world Middle East, Politics covid-19 Jon B. Alterman <div... Read More...
MENA August 15, 2020 UAE/ISRAEL: Not the beginning of the end, but the end of the beginning UAE, Israel, Politics, US Jon B. Alterman Press play to listen <audio class="amazon-ai-player" id="amazon-ai-player"... Read More...
