This report examines the rising strategic significance of economic corridors, with a particular focus on the Gulf region’s growing role in shaping their development.
learn moreThe collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024 marked a watershed moment for Syria and the wider Middle East after almost a decade of civil war. Throughout the conflict, Syria constituted a staging ground for geopolitical rivalries, spawning proxy conflicts and involving great powers, including the United States and Russia. Among the most consequential results was the emergence of a Kurdish-dominated enclave in northeastern Syria
learn moreAs geopolitical competition intensifies and energy security remains paramount, Japan and South Korea are recalibrating their roles in the Middle East. Despite a long-standing economic and strategic rivalry, both countries—key East Asian middle powers—now face a shared imperative: to cooperate on issues ranging from maritime security and defense diplomacy to renewable energy and Gaza reconstruction. This policy paper explores how Tokyo and Seoul can balance competition with pragmatic collaboration to advance mutual interests and contribute to regional stability.
learn moreWhen the United Arab Emirates normalized relations with Israel five years ago, it likely expected a degree of discomfort given negative public opinion of Israel in the region amid its ongoing military occupation of Palestine. But the intensification of violent conflict—first in May 2021, and then on a much larger scale after October 7, 2023—has… Continue reading Five Years On, UAE-Israel Normalization Weathers the Gaza Storm
learn moreWhen Israel and the United States launched a bombing campaign against Tehran’s nuclear program in June, Iran-aligned forces that have spent years building their influence and arsenals in neighboring Iraq were oddly silent. Yet despite their decision to stay out of the so-called “12-day war,” pro-Iranian groups still have far-reaching influence in Baghdad, while co-existing… Continue reading Baghdad has tied itself to Iran, endangering Iraq’s future
learn moreA quiet visit to Libya by a senior Trump advisor has raised the specter of Washington taking a renewed interest in the North African country—and the question of whether such engagement could help finally resolve the country’s prolonged political deadlock. Massad Boulos, who advises U.S. President Donald Trump on Middle Eastern and African affairs, visited… Continue reading Is the United States Set to Re-Engage in Libya?
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