Center for Middle East Policy

Iranian lawmakers attend the opening ceremony of Iran's 11th parliament, practicing social distancing as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Tehran, Iran, May 27, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

What explains the decline of Iran’s moderates? It’s not Trump

Ali Fathollah-Nejad and Amin Naeni

Monday, June 15, 2020

Irregular forces loyal to former army general Khalifa Haftar stand by an armed vehicle during clashes with Islamist militants in the eastern city of Benghazi June 2, 2014. Eight people were killed and 15 wounded when fighting broke out on Monday between the Libyan army and Islamist militants in the eastern city of Benghazi, medical sources said. The Ansar al-Sharia militant group attacked a camp on Monday belonging to army special forces, residents there said. Forces of the renegade general fighting Islamists later joined the battle, using combat helicopters, they added. REUTERS/Stringer (LIBYA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS)

Libya’s proxy sponsors face a dilemma

Ranj Alaaldin and Emadeddin Badi

Monday, June 15, 2020

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (left) during a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) in Jerusalem, Israel on May 13, 2020. Pompeo arrived in Israel on Wednesday (13) for a lightning visit during the which will talk about the Iran issue and the proposed annexation by the occupied West Bank.

Israel’s annexation puzzle in the age of great power competition

Eyal Tsir Cohen

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

FILE PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wearing a protective mask due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, chairs the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem June 7, 2020. Menahem Kahana/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Technosurveillance mission creep in Israel’s COVID-19 response

Natan Sachs and Kevin Huggard

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

A demonstrator holds a Palestinian flag in front of Israeli forces during a protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, near Tulkarm June 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamad Torokman TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Stop calling Israel a democracy

Shibley Telhami

Monday, June 8, 2020

NANGARHAR, AFGHANISTAN.- Taliban fighters attend a surrender ceremony in Jalalabad city, capital of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Feb. 8, 2020. A total of 28 Taliban fighters have given up fighting and surrendered to security forces in the eastern Nangarhar province on Saturday, provincial governor Shah Mahmoud Miakhil said.

The U.N. exposes the limits of the Trump peace plan with the Taliban

Monday, June 8, 2020

A man wearing a protective face mask as he gestures while shopping amid the rush of people outside an electronics market, after Pakistan started easing the lockdown restrictions, as the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Karachi, Pakistan June 4, 2020. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

With a mix of pandemic denialism and exceptionalism, Pakistan makes a cynical bet on the coronavirus

Friday, June 5, 2020

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL.- In the photo taken on April 11, 2020, thousands of people in the main cities of Brazil protested on Saturday night from the windows of their houses against the government of President Jair Bolsonaro. Under the slogan "Fora Bolsonaro", thousands of people beat their pots and pans from their windows and balconies, in protest at the way the Executive has been handling the health crisis of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Civil society creativity around the world can sustain protests in the coronavirus era

Tamara Cofman Wittes

Thursday, June 4, 2020

People demonstrate in commemoration of George Floyd near the American embassy at Pariser Platz in Berlin, Germany, May 31, 2020. About 200 people gathered in front of the Brandenburg Gate in the German capital to protest against police brutality racism and hate. 46-year-old African-American, George Floyd died on May 25, 2020 after a Minneapolis police officer was kneeling on his neck for several minutes during his arrest. The controversial act of police brutality sparked violent demonstrations throughout the U.S with reports of riots in Minnesota, California, New-York and more. Reports also mention that Derek Chauvin, one of the police officers allegedly involved in the incident was arrested and will be charged with Third-degree murder. (Photo by: Omer Messinger)No Use UK. No Use Germany.

Promoting human rights abroad when they’re being trampled at home

Tamara Cofman Wittes

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

NYPD officers detain a protester who was looting in a store after marching against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., June 2, 2020. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz

Riots, white supremacy, and accelerationism

Daniel L. Byman

Tuesday, June 2, 2020