Trump’s Win Is a Loss for the Middle East

August 14, 2020

The leaders of the U.S., Israel and UAE get good PR from their diplomatic deal, but the Palestinians get left out.

Yet Another Heartbreak for the Middle East

August 14, 2020

Americans cannot ignore the U.S. role in driving instability in the region.

Trump White House Backs Arms Dealers

June 2, 2020

The undue influence of U.S. arms manufacturers in the White House explains repeated arms sales to Saudi Arabia, despite desperation and disease in Yemen.

The U.S. must re-evaluate its relationship with Saudi Arabia and role in the Middle East, experts say

May 31, 2020

“The biggest disrupter of stability in the Middle East in recent years has been the United States,” asserted Gregory Gause.

Getting Rid Of The Saudi Burden For Good

May 11, 2020

When the U.S. needed oil, cozying up made sense. Now the relationship is unfit for the 21st century.

Why is the US Removing its Patriot missile systems from Saudi Arabia?

May 8, 2020

The drawdown of U.S. military presence in the Middle East is a welcome development. However, the timing of the move is provoking considerable speculation.

Book Review: MBS - The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman

April 29, 2020

Review of Ben Hubbard’s book about the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and US-Saudi relations.

Is Yemen's Ceasefire for Real?

April 10, 2020

Even if the Saudis maintain the ceasefire and eventually withdraw their forces, Yemen’s civil war will continue.

The Coronavirus Exposes the Foolishness of US Sanctions Policy

March 23, 2020

For Iran, in particular, sanctions have not merely hobbled the country’s response to the virus but also helped fuel its spread.

الحصاد :جدل ما بعد قمة برلين (The Harvest: Controversy After Berlin Conference)

January 31, 2020

الجدل بشأن انتهاك الهدنة وحظر توريد الأسلحة إلى ليبيا في مرحلة ما بعد قمة برلين (Controversy over the violation of the armistice and arms embargo to Libya in the post-Berlin Summit period)

Link to video of interview on Al Jazeera (Arabic)

Oman’s Smooth Transition Doesn’t Mean Its Neighbors Won’t Stir Up Trouble

January 23, 2020

Regional rivals may see Sultan Qaboos’s death as an opportunity to pursue their expansionist ambitions.

Moderate Islam in Saudi Arabia (Podcast interview)

January 15, 2020

What implications do MBS’ alleged embrace of moderate Islam have for understanding religious and political authority in the Kingdom?

The U.S. Military Must Withdraw from Iraq

January 7, 2020

The best way to reduce the risk of war with Iran is to get U.S. troops out of Iraq.

America First, Actually

September 30, 2019

Trump has paradoxically set in motion much-needed reassessments of U.S. foreign policy.

MBS & Religious Authority, Reform in Saudi Arabia

September 19, 2019

With Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

Perceptions of MBS as a religious reformer rest on flawed readings of the history of the relationship between the reigning Al Saud family and the Wahhabi clerical establishment.

Declaration Proliferation: The International Politics of Religious Tolerance

July 11, 2019

Given that declarations are unlikely to reduce the likelihood of violence, what is their intended purpose?

Saudi Arabia is Changing, But Don't Give MbS All the Credit

June 10, 2019

Although Mohammed bin Salman wields considerable power, he has not singlehandedly altered Saudi society.

Public Opinion on the Religious Authority of the Moroccan King

May 14, 2019

To what extent do Moroccans view state leadership in religion favorably, or see head of state King Mohammed VI as a source of religious authority?

تقرير موجز: الرأي العام حول السلطة الدينية لملك المغرب

May 14, 2019

Arabic translation of Policy Brief: “Public Opinion on the Religious Authority of the King of Morocco”

إلى أي مدى يرى المغاربة الملك محمد السادس كمصدر للسلطة الدينية؟

The Unintended Effects of Government Outreach to Religious Communities After 9/11

May 3, 2019

U.S. government engagement with faith-based organizations should rely on individuals with the expertise necessary to protect equal rights and democracy.

Royal Religious Authority: Morocco's "Commander of the Faithful"

April 4, 2019

The survey results indicate that King Mohammed VI has religious authority. These findings may reflect a taboo against questioning his status as the Commander of the Faithful, but also indicate the success of state-sponsored religious messaging.

Religious Authority in the Middle East: Implications for U.S. Policy

March 19, 2019

Religious authority is an increasingly influential but poorly understood source of power in governments throughout the Middle East. Who speaks for Islam in the region?

With Courtney Freer and Scott Williamson, moderated by Nathan Brown

Link to video of Annelle Sheline’s commentary on religious authority in Morocco

What is “moderate Islam” and why are Middle Eastern governments promoting it? (Interview)

November 21, 2018

A number of Middle Eastern regimes have been touting moderate Islam to appeal to Western governments. What is moderate Islam and what role if any should the United States and other Western countries play in supporting it?

Fake News: Tool for Authoritarian Regimes to Silence Citizens

October 23, 2018

Governments around the world are introducing legislation to crack down on “fake news,” and frequently use new laws to silence criticism. Allegations of fake news allow authoritarian governments to discredit individuals or views that challenge their control.

Mohammed bin Salman’s Plan to Moderate Islam in Saudi Arabia

November 9, 2017

MbS is aware of the need to improve his country’s image to better target investors who might otherwise avoid the kingdom. However, promoting moderate Islam requires significant restructuring of religious institutions and reshaping beliefs.

The Uncertainty of Enforced Tolerance in Oman

May 11, 2017

A subsection of the larger piece, “Official Islam in the Arab World: The Contest for Religious Authority” by Nathan Brown

Oman’s religious sphere is distinctive in two respects. The state gives special emphasis to tolerance and it also exerts greater control over the religious sphere than in most other Arab countries. These features are not unrelated.

Middle East regimes are using ‘moderate’ Islam to stay in power

March 1, 2017

There is no real agreement on the meaning of moderate Islam. Muslim-majority governments that wish to be labeled moderate generally need to comply with the agenda of the United States, but the behavior associated with moderation has changed over time.

Calling Yemen a Proxy War is an Oversimplification

June 12, 2015

The conflict in Yemen originated in domestic politics, not Iranian meddling. The Houthis emerged as a military force as a result of six wars with the Yemeni army under President Saleh’s command between 2004 and 2010.

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