30
July
2026
Recent
Publications
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August 3, 2026
Iran’s economic future will depend on its ability to balance relations with China and the Gulf while rebuilding commercial trust, maintaining access to regional trade networks, and addressing long-standing domestic structural challenges.
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July 30, 2026
The conflict between Iran and Israel has transformed Yemen into a central player in regional security. This analysis explores the Houthis’ strategic calculations, the growing importance of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the political, economic, and humanitarian challenges shaping Yemen’s future.
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July 28, 2026
The events of October 7, 2023, marked a turning point for the Levant, exposing long-standing structural weaknesses in governance, legitimacy, and state institutions. This policy brief examines how the decline of Hezbollah, Syria’s post-Assad transition, and shifting regional dynamics have created both challenges and opportunities for rebuilding resilient states. It argues that durable stability depends on inclusive governance, institutional reform, the conditional integration of non-state actors, and coordinated international support to strengthen sovereignty, promote political participation, and foster sustainable peace across the region.
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July 28, 2026
The events of October 7, 2023, marked a turning point for the Levant, exposing long-standing structural weaknesses in governance, legitimacy, and state institutions. This policy brief examines how the decline of Hezbollah, Syria’s post-Assad transition, and shifting regional dynamics have created both challenges and opportunities for rebuilding resilient states. It argues that durable stability depends on inclusive governance, institutional reform, the conditional integration of non-state actors, and coordinated international support to strengthen sovereignty, promote political participation, and foster sustainable peace across the region.
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5
August
2026
Post-Conflict Recovery in the Arab World: Lessons from Yemen, Syria, and Sudan
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29
July
2026
Does the Past Shape Our Future, or Prevent It from Being Born?
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August 12, 2026
On August 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan announced a trilateral mutual defense pact signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement is the outcome of intensive consultations among the three countries and represents a significant step toward closer… Continue reading What Is the Mecca Joint Defense Pact—and What It Is Not?
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August 11, 2026
For the first time in years, Palestinian politics is showing signs of life. On July 9, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree calling elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council — the PA’s parliament, which he dissolved in 2018 — set for November 28. Alongside a looser pledge to hold a presidential election in… Continue reading Can PA Reform Give Palestinians a Way Out of Their Leadership Crisis?
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August 10, 2026
The Mecca Agreement, a defense deal signed by Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad on August 7, builds upon discussions apparently dating back to December 2023, as well as historical ties, shared strategic interests, and existing military cooperation. It emerges within a regional security environment characterized by multiple threats, from missile and drone attacks to terrorism, cyber-attacks, disruptions to maritime corridors, and the targeting of critical infrastructure. The agreement reflects less a response to a specific,… Continue reading Regional Security After the Mecca Agreement
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August 12, 2026
On August 7, 2026, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Pakistan announced a trilateral mutual defense pact signed in Mecca by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The agreement is the outcome of intensive consultations among the three countries and represents a significant step toward closer… Continue reading What Is the Mecca Joint Defense Pact—and What It Is Not?
learn more
August 11, 2026
For the first time in years, Palestinian politics is showing signs of life. On July 9, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree calling elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council — the PA’s parliament, which he dissolved in 2018 — set for November 28. Alongside a looser pledge to hold a presidential election in… Continue reading Can PA Reform Give Palestinians a Way Out of Their Leadership Crisis?
learn more
August 10, 2026
The Mecca Agreement, a defense deal signed by Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad on August 7, builds upon discussions apparently dating back to December 2023, as well as historical ties, shared strategic interests, and existing military cooperation. It emerges within a regional security environment characterized by multiple threats, from missile and drone attacks to terrorism, cyber-attacks, disruptions to maritime corridors, and the targeting of critical infrastructure. The agreement reflects less a response to a specific,… Continue reading Regional Security After the Mecca Agreement
learn more