RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel, February 04, 2010, The Daily Beast
In recent Hill testimony, directors of U.S. intelligence agencies stated a new terrorist attack against the United States is possible in the next six months. In response to this forecast, Bruce Riedel explains why the Obama administration should increase pressure on al Qaeda's core in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Yemen. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel L. Byman, February 03, 2010, The Daily Beast
In recent Hill testimony, directors of U.S. intelligence agencies stated a new terrorist attack against the United States is possible in the next six months. Although groups like al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula are rightly claiming the attention of U.S. national security officials, Dan Byman argues that Pakistan remains the locus of terrorist activity and that any solutions have to begin there. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Hassina Sherjan, February 02, 2010, The Daily Beast
At the International Conference on Afghanistan, President Hamid Karzai issued a prominent call for reconciliation with the Taliban. However, as troops on the ground work to strengthen Afghan forces and local leadership, Michael O’Hanlon and Hassina Sherjan argue that an agreement with the Taliban could prove detrimental to security and stability in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel and Aysha Chowdhry, February 01, 2010, The National Interest
After the reported death of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud by a CIA drone attack, Bruce Riedel and Aysha Chowdry explain that while this may seem to be a positive development in the fight against the Taliban forces, Mehsud’s death is unlikely to have a significant effect on the Taliban’s established, wide-reaching terror network in Pakistan. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
In Iraq's upcoming parliamentary elections, a key issue will be the relationship between Baghdad and the regional government in Kurdistan. On January 27, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, to discuss the elections, the Kurdish relationship with the Iraqi government, and the U.S. role in promoting stability in Iraq. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Bruce Riedel and Aysha Chowdhry, January 27, 2010, The Daily Beast
In recent months, terrorist plots at home and abroad have heightened international alarm regarding global terrorist networks. While the attempted Northwest Airlines Christmas bombing and the mass shooting at Fort Hood remain high on the U.S.’s radar, Bruce Riedel and Aysha Chowdhry argue that a foiled plot by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba also deserves significant attention, both from the United States and the global community. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Shadi Hamid, January 26, 2010, The Brookings Institution
Throughout the Arab world, Egypt's election of Muslim Brotherhood member Mohammed Badie as General Guide has sparked concerns of an Islamist "radicalization" and ideological regression. However, while many believe Badie to be a controversial hardliner, Shadi Hamid argues that his leadership will likely reflect the moderate ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, January 21, 2010
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
Despite an early focus on Yemen by the Obama administration, attempts at combating terrorism in the country have been stymied by many factors, including Yemen’s weak central government. On January 21, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy hosted a discussion on conditions in Yemen featuring Senior Fellows Daniel Byman and Bruce Riedel, and Gregory Johnsen from Princeton University. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
6:00 PM to 07:30 PM
Doha, Qatar
On January 20, 2010, the Brookings Doha Center hosted a policy discussion to assess the Obama administration’s policy toward Muslim-majority states and communities a year to the day that President Obama entered office. The speakers addressed pressing issues such as al Qaeda, the Arab-Israeli peace process, the war in Afghanistan, the future of Iran and Iraq, and prospects for democratic reform in the region. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael E. O'Hanlon and Kenneth M. Pollack, January 18, 2010, The New York Times
The Iraqi government's decision to ban nearly 500 Sunni politicians from the March 7 nationwide elections has quickly become a potential threat to the country's political stability and security. Kenneth M. Pollack and Michael O’Hanlon argue that this move could reignite sectarian violence in Iraq and potentially jeopardize President Obama's plan to draw down American forces. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, January 15, 2010
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Washington, DC
On January 15, the Middle East Youth Initiative and the New America Foundation hosted a discussion on the prospects for young people in the Palestinian territories, where nearly three-quarters of the population is under the age of 29. One year after the conflict in Gaza, reconstruction of homes and buildings has barely begun, economic development has stagnated, and the humanitarian situation facing the Gazan population remains dire. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin S. Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack, January 13, 2010, The Brookings Institution
In this installment of the Status Report, a series of policy assessments of the Obama administration’s first year, Martin Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack give the administration a B for confronting major challenges in the Middle East. This grade reflects an A for effort, and a C for results that have so far not matched the promise of the administration’s ambitious agenda. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Martin S. Indyk and Kenneth M. Pollack, January 13, 2010, The Brookings Institution
After almost a year in the White House, Martin Indyk and Kenneth Pollack evaluate the Obama administration’s effectiveness in dealing with key challenges in the Middle East. Their assessment focuses on policies toward Iran, Iraq, Arab-Israeli peace and terrorism, with particular regards to Yemen. Read More
VIDEO
Bruce Riedel, January 08, 2010
Bruce Riedel says that the nation and the president dodged a bullet when the terrorist attack on Northwest Flight 253 failed Christmas Day. Despite the new focus on Yemen as a breeding ground for terror, Riedel says Osama bin Laden should remain the target of anti-terrorism efforts.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Corinne Graff, January 08, 2010, GOOD Magazine
Widespread poverty and violence along with increasingly severe food and water shortages have resulted in dire conditions in Yemen and provided refuge for global terrorist networks like al Qaeda. Corinne Graff details the worsening situation within Yemen and offers recommendations for U.S. policy going forward. Read More