Iran
Iraqi Kurds sees opportunities – and risks – in the withdrawal of US troops
The region may become less of a target for groups seeking to pressure the United States. But the Kurds also have less security support now, should they need it.
What we talk about when we talk about US strategic ‘credibility’ – from Vietnam to Iran
‘Credibility is on the line’ has long been a refrain guiding U.S. foreign policy.
Yemen’s Houthis are bringing their war to Saudi Arabia – and reframing the narrative of being an Iranian proxy
A deadly bombing at Riyadh’s international airport is the latest in a tit-for-tat retaliation campaign the Houthis have ramped up for weeks.
The Mecca alliance meets the Red Sea – Saudi Arabia’s new defense pact faces its first major test
The pact with Turkey and Pakistan has evolved quickly from a vague political commitment. Riyadh hopes it will help it navigate a thorny Middle East crisis.
Rapid Houthi advances in Yemen pose massive strategic risks for Saudi Arabia in the Gulf
The resumption of fighting, paired with the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz, complicates regional strategy and energy policy for the Gulf powerhouse.
Houthi advance boosts Iran’s leverage over the US and Saudi Arabia – but may cost rebel group its legitimacy back in Yemen
Seizure of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait complicates a widening conflict in the Persian Gulf. It also risks reigniting Yemen’s civil war.
A new Houthi front and expanded Iranian attacks risk sinking Gulf nations’ choke‑point workaround and widening shipping risks
The ongoing war in Iran has created an expanding zone of risk for shipping, including for Saudi Arabia’s strategy of redirecting oil exports away from Hormuz.
How trains can transform Persian Gulf politics and global security
Once completed, the 2,177-kilometer GCC Railway will connect six Gulf kingdoms and provide alternative routes to Europe and Asia.
Iraq is emerging as the Middle East’s strategic connector – but can it turn foreign competition into advantage?
Iraq has pursued friendly relations with many countries who are themselves at odds. The strategy has lots of upside for war-torn Iraq – but holds key risks as well.
The danger of US‑Iran ceasefire agreement is what it leaves out
A strong deal would build in real penalties for going back to war: automatic, reversible costs that fall on anyone who restarts the fighting.