War
Annexation makes no policy sense
The debate over the questions of whether Israel will or should annex parts of the West Bank and what the international community will do in response has been robust. Supporters of annexation in Israel and the United States justify their position by pointing to a broken, perhaps irreparable peace process, Israel’s historical and religious claim of sovereignty over the Holy Land, support and encouragement from the Trump administration, and what is believed will be enhanced security for Israel and Israeli settlements. » Read more about: Annexation makes no policy sense »
Women and Education in the Arab World
Malak Zaalouk, education expert, discusses the position of women and access to education in the Arab World with the Cairo Review’s Senior Editor Sean David Hobbs in a special podcast recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down.
COVID-19 Impact on Africa Elections
The pandemic is forcing African states to choose between holding elections on time and postponing them for safety. The risks run both ways.
Let Conflicts Be Bygones
A sobering look at how COVID-19 will affect Libya, Syria, and Yemen, where war and conflict have not only decimated most of these countries’ precious resources but are further destroying what remains of them.
Egypt’s Diplomacy: An Insider’s Critique
Former Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy’s newest book seeks to inform future generations about the challenges of statecraft he and his compatriots faced over the past fifty years.
Strategic Actors in Libya
Political Scientist Lisa Anderson explores how the local players in the Libyan conflict affect the decision-making of states, both in North Africa and beyond.
A Message From The Editors
Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic
Mobilizing Against Trump’s “Vision”
Former Palestinian Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Alkidwa explains the ways Palestinians are contesting the Trump plan for peace and how the Trump deal caters only to extremists on the Israeli and American right
Meme-ifying “World War III”
How the Soleimani assassination has called into question what “war” means today, and how the world should respond
Hosni Mubarak: Passing of an Era, or Lingering Legacy?
What Mubarak’s legacy reveals about changes in different generations’ relationship to state and society.
The Middle East Reacts to Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’
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.
The Country to City Continuum
Government leaders and public policy experts attended the Regional Workshop on Strengthening Migration Governance Across the Rural Urban Continuum.
The Neo-Ballistic Middle East
Over the past forty years, Iran has written the book on Lebanization and using non-state actors in interstate warfare
Heat is on for Brazil’s Bolsonaro
Bolsonaro has shifted focus from an economic reforms agenda, which the country sorely needs amid recession fears, to a cultural one, which pleases his supporters.
Libya’s Dangerous Political Stalemate
Until now, most of the external actors involved in Libya relied on a Cold-War “zero sum game theory”, based on the dichotomic vision amicus/hostis (friend/enemy) of classical realpolitik. It is time this changes.
The End for Netanyahu?
After a murky election Netanyahu might be out and Gantz might be in, but it is Lieberman who is set to be kingmaker.
Reconstruction as a political-economy issue: The case of Syria
There can be no meaningful separation between state-building, peace-building, and revival at the end of a conflict, especially as post-conflict state institutions are the only apparatus which can be somewhat directly or indirectly accountable toward their populations for the management of the country.
Kushner’s New Plan for Palestine
The “Deal of the Century” is quickly shaping up to be the “Deception of the Century” and here’s why.
Reinventing Peace in Syria
For Syria, and the rest of the world, the era of liberal peacebuilding has passed. But there are other ways to make peace, which call for a return to basics and a new kind of “software”
In Syria, Reconstruction Brings Little Hope for Peace
While maintaining the status quo for the time being might seem the easiest option, it is also the worst possible one
Cohesion through Decentralization
The rebuilding process in Libya will be complex and arduous but must be done with a focus on local actors and an acknowledgment of the realities on the ground
How Yemen Rises
Reconstruction is never easy, and in Yemen the road will be longer than most. The first step is to pass on “best practice” in favor of a critical, reflexive approach
Opportunity of the Century?
Jared Kushner’s economic stimulus initiative to solve the Palestinian issue was introduced in the 80s and ended in failure.
An Iran Strategy Worth Fighting For
U.S. and Saudi confrontations with Iran are causing proxy-warfare in weak or failing Arab states and escalating tensions in the Gulf, but there might still be a chance for diplomatic progress with the right combination of measures targeting Gulf-specific, regional, and international issues.
Civil Marriage in Limbo
In Lebanon, the recurring debate around civil marriage highlights the sectarian-patriarchal grip on personal status affairs and the state itself.
Here We Go Again
In a right-wing power-play Avigdor Lieberman has forced Israelis back to the polls, but the former defense minister may not be in as strong a position as he reckons.
Can Israel Survive Netanyahu?
Following Benjamin Netanyahu’s reelection Israel is a land of contradictions, democratic and wealthy yet with dangerous demographic divisions
Netanyahu’s Masterful Gaslighting
The recent Israeli election showed Bibi to be the king of Israel and a master of the status quo.
A Different Kind of Rationality
Iran continues its military presence in Syria even after the fight is won—a move which is underpinned by the Islamic Republic’s core deterrence and defense foreign policy against possible Israeli or US military action.
Syria and Regional Food Security
Syria and its neighbors all have a vested interest in resuming agricultural trade to increase food security across the region.
Russia’s Eye on Syrian Reconstruction
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
Divisions among the states vested in Syria are opening possibilities for Syria’s Kurds to secure greater protection for their autonomy.
Reforming UN Peacekeeping
How Cairo views efforts at reforming United Nations’ peacekeeping, especially in the Middle East and Africa.
Civil Society for the Displaced
To meet the challenges of massive human displacement in the Middle East and North Africa, civil society actors need a common platform where they can advocate. The MENA Civil Society Network for Displacement or CSND sets out to be that.
Faith That Peace Will One Day Come
Former United States president and architect of the Camp David Accords Jimmy Carter discusses the 1978 conference that changed the Middle East and the prospects for peace today.
Turkey’s Gradual Efforts to Professionalize Syrian Allies
Instead of putting its full strength behind unifying Syrian rebel groups, Ankara is slowly supporting that process without disturbing the status quo.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE look to Africa
By mediating conflicts and combining their assets in the Horn of Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are slowly cementing an arc of political influence across the region.
Russia’s Mediating Role in Southern Yemen
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.
A New Beginning for Yemen?
The strategic role of the United States—and others—in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
What Future for the EU’s Southern Neighbourhood Policy?
The upcoming EU-Arab summit could help in crafting a new regional relationship.
The Risks of Hardened Borders in North Africa
Rather than making North Africa safer, securitizing borders has raised the risk of instability along the region’s frontiers, where communities depend on smuggling.
A Dangerous Coin Toss
For long-time scholar of American foreign policy, William Quandt, it’s still too hard to say what Trump wants in the Middle East
Pains and Dreams on the Silk Road
Chinese activity in the Middle East has been a lesson in non-involvement and support for local economic projects; yet, as the Belt and Road Initiative kicks off, China’s role in the MENA region will inevitably change.
Russia, Turkey, and the Fate of Idlib
In Idlib, Turkey could deter Russian airstrikes and ensure the region remains out of the Syrian regime’s control by going after extremist groups.
The UAE’s Security-Economic Nexus in Yemen
The UAE’s growing investment in Yemen’s energy and security infrastructure is increasingly the driving force behind its counterterrorism involvement.
Children and Family Terrorism
Recent bombings in Indonesia marked the first time that entire families, including children, were involved in violent Islamist attacks in Southeast Asia; A discussion on how people can fight back against this form of fundamentalist indoctrination.
What’s Next for Gaza
The crisis in Gaza and possible Israeli policies which could create real change on the ground.
Syria Podcast, Part 2
Nader Hashemi, Middle East and Syria expert, speaks with the Cairo Review’s Senior Editor Sean David Hobbs.
Saved by Europe or Killed by Trump?
A commentary on whether Europe will be able to salvage the Iranian Nuclear Pact or if the Trump Administration can unilaterally scrap the JCPOA.
Syria Podcast, Part 1
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.