Middle East

After Khashoggi: a Saudi pivot to Russia and China?0
- Middle East
- February 8, 2019
The step change is designed both to ward off and hedge against further Western sanctions.
Enduring defeat: making sense of Trump’s Syria pull-out 0
- Middle East
- January 11, 2019
Withdrawing US troops from the anti-ISIS campaign will reshape the politics of Syria’s civil war.
Gaza: war unlikely, but peace a fool’s paradise 0
- Middle East
- November 29, 2018
Despite mutual support for the ceasefire, domestic concerns will keep a peace deal off the table.
Libya’s hopeful elections: wishful thinking writ large 0
- Middle East
- November 25, 2018
Entrenched militia and self-interested politicians are majority stumbling blocks to a successful vote.
Will Australia follow Trump’s Middle East policy?0
- Middle East
- November 23, 2018
PM Morrison has suggested moving Australia’s Israeli embassy to Jerusalem and leaving the Iran deal.
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi: one step too far?0
- Middle East
- October 29, 2018
The crown prince’s cumulative missteps in foreign policy are beginning to take their toll.

Wilayat Sinai: corroding security and Sisi’s legitimacy 0
- Middle East
- September 25, 2018
The extremist group is entrenched in the peninsula. It will take more than force to oust them.
Idlib province: the Syrian revolution’s last stand 0
- Middle East
- September 14, 2018
Despite the apparent threat, a massive assault against Idlib is unlikely – for now.
The Saudi blockade on Qatar: likely outcomes in 2018 0
- Middle East
- August 26, 2018
The diplomatic crisis, first thought to last only weeks, is dragging on into its second year.
Europe to the rescue: can the Iran nuclear deal be saved?0
- Middle East
- June 19, 2018
The deal will collapse when European companies, under threat of US sanctions, leave Iran.
Turkish elections: nationalism, economy and an opposition 0
- Middle East
- June 17, 2018
President Erdogan is racing against an ailing economy and a united opposition.
Flying blind: will Israel go to war over Syria?0
- Middle East
- May 13, 2018
The growing list of mutually hostile actors in Syria may sleepwalk into a conflict they didn’t want.