MENA
Middle East & North Africa
The geopolitical importance of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) can hardly be overstated. The region is the birthplace of three of the world's major religions, a crucial source of energy and resources, and the home to several vibrant cultures.
However, the shadow of history weighs heavily upon the region. Insurgency, terrorism, civil war, and competition between regional powers have created a pervasive situation of insecurity with far-reaching consequences that impact actors beyond the confines of the region itself.
The MENA project seeks to bring lucidity to the challenges and opportunities facing this crucial geostrategic region.
The poor human rights records of Washington’s Gulf allies pose a difficult balancing act between morality and realpolitik.
Hawks and Doves in Washington are once again debating the Iran Nuclear deal with Biden set to re-enter the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) upon entering the Oval Office. However, this narrow deal or no-deal focus will likely hurt Washington’s foreign policy in the region.
The Libyan Civil War has engulfed the oil rich state for almost a decade, but the conflict has broadened to hold consequences for third parties embroiled in wider regional competition.