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Analysis & Commentary

29th January 2018 – RealClearDefense

Blackhawks Threaten to Undermine Afghan Air Force Development

Alexandra N. Gutowski

Blackhawks Threaten to Undermine Afghan Air Force Development

As the winter begins to thaw in Afghanistan, Afghan and coalition forces are intent to go on the offensive against the Taliban. Afghan forces have long been dependent on coalition air support, but the NATO mission’s commanding general promises “a tidal wave of Afghan airpower is on the horizon.” Unfortunately, American attempts to modernize the Afghan Air Force, specifically the introduction of the Blackhawk helicopter, risk undoing its hard-won progress. more...

25th January 2018 – The Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies

The Limits of Erdoğan’s “Nation”

Aykan Erdemir

The Limits of Erdoğan’s “Nation”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s recent strategy of allying with the far right and his turn to nationalism are limited by the Sunni sectarian nature of his politics. A closer examination of the failure of his Alevi reform initiative of 2009-2010 reveals the structural obstacles Turkish Islamists encounter in their attempts to reach beyond the Sunni community to coopt Turkey’s Alevi electorate. In a similar manner, Erdoğan’s nationalist policies will continue to exclude Alevis, entrench sectarianism further, and expose the limits of belonging to his Sunni “nation.” more...

25th January 2018 – Politico

How Trump Can Help the Palestinians and Promote Peace

Jonathan Schanzer, Richard Goldberg

How Trump Can Help the Palestinians and Promote Peace

Speaking at a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Davos on Thursday, President Donald Trump ripped into his Palestinian counterpart. He threatened to withhold American assistance if the Palestinians didn’t return to negotiations. “All that money is on the table,” he warned. more...

26th January 2018 – FDD Policy Brief

National Elections in Iraq Set for May

Romany Shaker

National Elections in Iraq Set for May

This week, the Iraqi parliament approved Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s proposal to hold national elections on May 12. The announcement follows the breakdown of Abadi’s short-lived electoral alliance with a coalition of parties tied to Iranian-backed Shiite militias. more...

24th January 2018 – The Canadian Jewish News

Put Iran in Canada’s Crosshairs

Sheryl Saperia

In November, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland announced the first round of sanctions under the recently passed Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, targeting 52 human rights violators in Russia, Venezuela and South Sudan. more...

23rd January 2018 – National Post

A fast way to keep extremist influence out of our schools

Sheryl Saperia

The Trudeau government says countering radicalization is a foundational component of Canada’s national security policy. Indeed, it has established the new Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence. The government should therefore be pleased with the recent introduction of Bill C-371, the Prevention of Radicalization through Foreign Funding Act, which is an excellent complement to its efforts in this area. more...

21st January 2018 – The Atlantic

The Tragedy of Mahmoud Abbas

Grant Rumley

Picture a Palestinian leader in the twilight of his reign. Besieged on all sides and challenged by younger upstarts, he lashes out against Israel, his Arab brethren, and the United States. Other Palestinian officials jockey to replace him, convinced he’s past his prime. This is how it ended for Yasser Arafat, whose insistence on waging the second intifada left him isolated in the final years of his rule. It may well be how it ends for Mahmoud Abbas. more...

24th January 2018 – FDD Policy Brief

Treasury Sanctions North Korea and China while Russia Escapes

Anthony Ruggiero

Treasury Sanctions North Korea and China while Russia Escapes

Today, the Treasury Department issued sanctions against 15 North Korean overseas representatives, two Chinese firms facilitating sanctions evasion, and five North Korean shipping companies. These actions come during a visit to Beijing and Hong Kong by Treasury’s chief sanctions enforcer, Under Secretary Sigal Mandelker, a signal the Trump administration is pushing ahead with its “maximum pressure” policy even during the inter-Korea talks. more...

24th January 2018 – FDD Policy Brief

Saudi Women Benefit from New Reforms, but Still Face an Uneven Playing Field

Varsha Koduvayur

Saudi Women Benefit from New Reforms, but Still Face an Uneven Playing Field

Last week, women entered sports stadiums in Saudi Arabia for the first time to watch Jeddah-based soccer club al-Ahli thrash al-Batin by 5-0. A 25,000-strong crowd turned out to view the history-making event, a five-fold increase in comparison to al-Ahli’s previous game. The occasion signals Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s commitment to the kingdom’s reform trajectory, especially regarding increasing women’s access to public spaces and professional opportunities. more...

22nd January 2018 – Al-Arabiya

Revelations uncover bitter truths about Hezbollah’s dirty money

Jonathan Schanzer, Mark Dubowitz

Revelations uncover bitter truths about Hezbollah’s dirty money

The Trump Administration and Democrats in the American Congress can’t agree on much these days. We’ve got a government shutdown in Washington to prove it. But there is at least one area where both Democrats and the President have a meeting of the minds: combatting Hezbollah. more...