by Steven Blockmans* | Apr 23, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Geopolitics & Great Power Politics
In the theatrical style of a capricious reality-TV host, US President Donald Trump has been building up suspense over an American withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal. He has consistently called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — which was...
by Tom Peeters | Apr 21, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Geopolitics & Great Power Politics
United Kingdom (UK) voters have chosen to leave the European Union (EU) with the historic referendum on June 2016. As the countdown continues for the set date of 29 March 2019, there has been no deal in the negotiations yet, and it seems like a win-win deal is far...
by MENA Task Force | Mar 1, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Peace & Conflict Management
On 24 February 2018, United Nations Security Council (UNSC) released a resolution to cease hostilities without delay for at least 30 consecutive days, ensuring a “durable humanitarian pause” to enable humanitarian aid deliveries and medical evacuations of the...
by Onur Sultan | Feb 18, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Geopolitics & Great Power Politics
Amidst great political turbulence in the run-up to the legislative elections, International Conference for Reconstruction of Iraq was held in Kuwait between 12-14 February 2018. The venue is ironic because Kuwait had become subject to Iraqi aggression in 1990 and had...
by Michael Stone | Feb 4, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Fighting Organised Crime and Terrorism, Radicalisation & Polarisation, Research
Hezbollah has long championed the armed confrontation against Israel in the Middle East. (ICG Report 2017, 2). Its image in the Arab street made a peak after the July war in 2006, and the group depicted this as its second victory after ending the Israeli...
by Tom Peeters | Feb 1, 2018 | Commentary, Defence & Security, Geopolitics & Great Power Politics, Peace & Conflict Management, Political & Hybrid Warfare
The Middle East (ME) has never been a peaceful place and throughout history, instability in the ME has always been a concern for the rest of the world. While these anxieties continue, in the past decade the ME has witnessed several extraordinary developments. If these...