The 1973 October War and the Soviet Union

The Soviets tried to work out viable policies to deal with the fallout of the October War and Egypt’s pivot to the West

Navigating R2P Between Norm and Practice

By Omar Auf / Fall 2022/Winter 2023

The idea that states are responsible for the protection of their own people is a powerful normative and transformative one, but is far from complete or conclusive

Democratizing International Relations

By Antonio Patriota / Fall 2022/Winter 2023

Former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali deserves to be remembered for his defense of the application of democratic principles to the international order. Today, the multipolarity of the contemporary world can help further Botrous-Ghali’s vision

Strategic Survival in Syria

By Omar Abu Layla / Fall 2022/Winter 2023

How Russia and Iran maintain their grip in Syria under the shadows of the Ukraine war

Fortune and Hazard for Algeria

By Zine Labidine Ghebouli / Fall 2022/Winter 2023

War in Ukraine has brought new cash flow to Algiers, but the state must walk an ever-narrowing path to maintain its non-alignment

The Ukraine War: The View from Iran

By Hamidreza Azizi / Fall 2022/Winter 2023

Why has Iran chosen to clandestinely have closer ties with Russia in the Ukraine War?

A History of Whistleblowers and Document Leaks

By Jamie Ruchser / Summer 2022

The dissemination of classified and sometimes sensitive information to the public often sparks debate about freedom of information—for example, what information should be shared and what should be withheld? The rapid rise of the internet in the early twenty-first century has provided the public with access to documents leaked through whistleblowing. This timeline aims to identify key whistleblowers and document leaks in recent history.

Red Lines in Global Media

By Khaled Ezzelarab / Summer 2022

Whether in liberal democracies or across the Arab World, journalists today are struggling to navigate a difficult route amid government restrictions, ambiguous red lines, and non-state actors affecting how the media is run

The Changing Middle East Regional Order

By Paul Salem / Winter 2022

A history of the Arab state system starting from the second half of the twentieth century to the present

Why the Phrase “Arab Spring” Should be Retired

By Sean David Hobbs / Winter 2021

It’s time to stop using a Western-based concept ten years on from the events that began the Arab Uprisings.

The Disrupting Stabilizer

By Samuel Ramani / Summer 2020

How Russia’s military, diplomatic, and economic roles in the Mediterranean have developed in recent years

The Prospects for Conflict or Cooperation

By Ellen Laipson and Henri J. Barkey / Summer 2020

Will the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas discoveries lead to regional transformation?

Players on the Libyan Chessboard

By Sydney Wise / Summer 2020

Lisa Anderson explains how external response to the Libyan conflict largely synchronizes with existing alliances and strategic interests.

Re-Engineering Regional Security

By Sydney Wise / Summer 2020

In the last half-century, Egypt has had to negotiate its way through the Arab–Israeli peace process, regional nuclear proliferation, and domestic political transition. What has it taught us?

South Africa latest to apply for COVID-19 aid from New Development Bank

By Helmo Preuss / April 30, 2020

This will mostly be used to fund medical equipment such as surgical masks, respirators, and testing supplies.

The Geo-economic Fallout of COVID-19 for the Middle East

By Neil Bhatiya /

The COVID-19 coronavirus will cause long-term consequences for the Middle East; a combination of chaos in oil markets and contraction of gross domestic product will present challenges for years to come.

The Middle East Reacts to Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’

By Sydney Wise / January 30, 2020

Hours after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace, the reactions of key regional figures ranged from hopeful to enraged.

A Nuclear Curse and a Nuclear Blessing

By Selim Sazak / Fall 2019

The decline of the United States is mirrored in the rise of Russian and Chinese nuclear energy reactors being built across the Middle East and beyond

Russia’s Eye on Syrian Reconstruction

By Samuel Ramani / March 7, 2019

Russia is primed to benefit economically from an influx of foreign investment in Syria, but an emerging rivalry with China and Iran for contracts could erode its long-term leverage.

Preserving Kurdish Autonomy

By Pinar Tank / February 15, 2019

Divisions among the states vested in Syria are opening possibilities for Syria’s Kurds to secure greater protection for their autonomy.

Turkey’s Gradual Efforts to Professionalize Syrian Allies

By Haid Haid / December 14, 2018

Instead of putting its full strength behind unifying Syrian rebel groups, Ankara is slowly supporting that process without disturbing the status quo.

Russia’s Mediating Role in Southern Yemen

By Samuel Ramani / November 25, 2018

Seeking to expand its influence in the Red Sea, Russia is hoping that mediating internal disputes in Yemen will help make the region more secure.

Russia’s Sharp Turns

By Dmitry Shlapentokh / Fall 2018

To get involved in Syria, Russia had to turn to Iran as an unexpected ally, yet as the conflict develops, it is ready to accommodate any and all players to strengthen its foothold in the region

Moscow’s Middle Eastern Messianism

By Elizabeth Bishop / Fall 2018

Russian actions in the Middle East from Lenin to Putin.

Russia, Turkey, and the Fate of Idlib

By Ömer Özkizilcik / September 24, 2018

In Idlib, Turkey could deter Russian airstrikes and ensure the region remains out of the Syrian regime’s control by going after extremist groups.

Battling for Southwestern Syria

By Abdulrahman al-Masri / June 14, 2018

While Assad and his supporters seem close to reconquering Southwestern Syria, stability is far from assured.

Syria Podcast, Part 2

By Sean David Hobbs / May 27, 2018

Nader Hashemi, Middle East and Syria expert, speaks with the Cairo Review’s Senior Editor Sean David Hobbs.

Syria Podcast, Part 1

By Sean David Hobbs / May 15, 2018

Nader Hashemi, Middle East and Syria expert, speaks with the Cairo Review’s Senior Editor Sean David Hobbs about ISIS, Russia, and Iran’s Influence on the Syrian Civil War.

Trump’s Ineptitude on Iran

By Reza Marashi / May 7, 2018

Trump’s Iran policy burns with fury as well as utter incoherence.

The Meaning of Eastern Ghouta and Assad’s “Victory”

By Nabeel Khoury / March 6, 2018

The Assad regime has won the war; it cannot, however, win the peace.

Russia’s New Energy Gamble

By Bruno Maçães / Winter 2018

Russia aims to position itself as a leader among energy-producing equals in Eurasia. Since 2015, Russia has sought to play a more active role in the Middle East, setting its sights on the region’s energy resources to achieve this strategic goal.

Vladimir Putin and Voltaire walk into a bar…

By Rami G. Khouri / January 2, 2018

Modern Syria becomes a view into transformations of power in the Middle East.

From Russia, With Fear

By David J. Kramer / Fall 2017

How did Putin’s regime of fear and paranoia push Russia toward a new confrontation with the West?

Behind Putin’s Iron Curtain

By Dimitar Bechev / June 1, 2017

Russia needs the West—but the realpolitik driving its foreign policy demands it be treated as an equal.

Turkey’s Turn toward Russia

By Pinar Tank / May 24, 2017

Despite tensions over Syria, Turkey is increasingly turning to Russia to secure its foreign and domestic policy needs.

The Fall of Aleppo

By Nabeel Khoury / December 19, 2016

Syrian rebels are unlikely to rebound from defeat anytime soon, while Iran and Russia stand to gain immensely.

Unraveling in the Kremlin

By Lilia Shevtsova / Fall 2016

Vladimir Putin intervened in Ukraine and Syria to mobilize domestic support for Russia’s decaying political system. But how long can the Kremlin survive on false images, fake agendas, and manufactured complexes?

Why Syria Peace Talks Are Doomed

By Nabeel Khoury / February 7, 2016

The Damascus regime’s military offensive could ruin already slim chances for a negotiated peace in Syria. A divided opposition and rival great powers further complicate a tricky diplomatic initiative.

New Cold War Comes to Syria

By Nabeel Khoury / December 16, 2015

Russia’s intervention has intensified the Syrian civil war, drawing both Western and regional powers deeper into a seemingly intractable conflict.

Putin the Spoiler

By Lilia Shevtsova / Winter 2015

With his undeclared war on Ukraine, the Russian president destroyed the post-Cold War system of mutual security commitments. In a quest to sustain his power, “Mr. Nobody” has released forces that he cannot contain.