Qatar Backtracks on Engagement With Critics – Analysis
After four years of engagement with its critics in a so far failed bid to turn its hosting of the World Cup into a successful soft power tool, Qatar appears to have decided that the region’s tendency to intimidate those who don’t fall into line may be a more effective strategy.
Think Tank Cooperation Discussed
Bahrain Centre for Strategic, International and Energy Studies (DERASAT) Board of Trustees’ Chairman Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Fadhala has today received King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) President Samer Al-Ashgar and discussed cooperation between…
Derasat, Kapsarc to Organise a Workshop
Bahrain Strategic, International and Energy Studies Centre (DERASAT), will organise in cooperation with the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC) a workshop entitled “Connecting East and West Asia: The benefits of mutual interdependence.”
Middle East: the Iran Conversation
Syria’s misery shows no sign of ending; Libya is torn in half; the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant is making gains in Iraq; and Yemen is sliding into a humanitarian crisis. When Barack Obama hosts leaders from the Gulf at Camp David on Thursday, he will be confronted by…
Iran Is Lying, and We Know It
The most frustrating part for a rational observer of the P5+1 negotiations with Iran is this: There is little doubt that Iran is lying, and will continue to lie, but that doesn’t seem to matter to those negotiating with it.
Surge in Jet Purchases Reshuffles Market
First came the Feb. 13 announcement that Egypt would become the first foreign customer for the Dassault Rafale. Then on April 10, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed an order for 36 Rafales for his nation. A week later, the United Arab Emirates said it was restarting talks with…
Iraq’s Foreign Minister Addresses Ties With Both U.S. And Iran
In the fight against Islamic State, Iraq has accepted military aid from two rival powers, Iran and the United States. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim Jafari discusses the balancing act with Times foreign correspondant Alexandra Zavis.
ISIS and Its Mission: Religious Cleansing, Genocide & Destruction of the Past
The Islamic State has become part and parcel of global news cycles, but its goals remain little discussed. Instead, Westerners focus on determining whether or not IS should be understood as representing Islam or rather as an aberration of the faith.
Iran: Tehran’s Strategic Ties Against the West
As Iran’s controversial nuclear program is still being discussed behind diplomatic doors, Tehran continues to develop strong ties with Russia and China much to the dislike of the West. With Iran being adamant that it will only accept an agreement that will lift all imposed sanctions…
Germany, the Green Superpower
A week at the American Academy in Berlin leaves me with two contradictory feelings: one is that Germany today deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, and the other is that Germany tomorrow will have to overcome its deeply ingrained post-World War II pacifism and become a more…
