Afkār is a publication of the Middle East Council on Global Affairs, providing short-form analyses, insights, and perspectives on regional issues and developments from the Council's experts and outside contributors. Afkār is published in English and Arabic, and is edited by Omar H. Rahman.
The Mecca Joint Defense Alliance increases Islamabad’s strategic weight. However, its value will depend on whether Pakistan can defend Saudi Arabia, preserve channels with Iran, and keep the Gulf from becoming another theater of conflict with India.
Israel’s parties compete fiercely for power. But competition over who governs does not always produce competing visions of the country’s strategic direction.
The Arab middle class serves as a foundation of social stability and public confidence in institutions. Years of conflict, inflation and the emigration of skilled professionals have had impacts beyond the economic realm, affecting social cohesion and political stability.