Key events to look forward to in Syria in the final months of 2017. 1. War in Syria expected to end in December 2017, reconstruction process to start with Chinese and Russian cooperation. Regional powers on good terms with the Eurasian power duo have chances to participate. Global …

By Shehab Al-Makahleh Many people were surprised by the unprecedented and violent threats that Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of Ansar Allah Al Houthi Movement, directed against the United Arab Emirates when he vowed to launch missile attacks against targets in the UAE and against Saudi oil targets. Abdul …

ANALYSIS / By Firas Al-Atraqchi As US media continues to speculate on the motives behind the tragic mass shooting in Las Vegas and the press in the UK critique Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest policy speech, there have been significant changes in Middle Eastern alliances. On Friday, Saudi Arabia’s …

Dr. Shehab Al-Makahleh  The long-awaited, historic visit of King Salman to Russia this week will demonstrate the scale of dialogue and coordination the two countries seek to achieve to strengthen their bilateral relations. The visit has great symbolism, with billboards installed in Moscow to welcome King Salman to …

COMMENTARY Turkish president Erdogan will visit Tehran on Wednesday, October 4 to hold bilateral meetings and attend a joint strategic council session. The meeting comes on the heels of Iranian FM visit to Doha, signaling ever closer cooperation and coordination between the three states, and ahead of Saudi …

Syria and Iraq post-ISIS: Reconstruction Business Opportunity for the Arab World Rebirth Global estimates indicate that volume of reconstruction projects in Syria and Iraq will reach $2 trillion over next 10 years, representing an exceptional opportunity for Arab economic integration – according to Jordanian Minister of Industry. Yet, …

Shehab Al-Makahleh Saudi Arabia’s King Salman will head an official delegation on October 4-7, 2017 to have meetings with Russian president Vladimir Putin and senior government officials, the first ever visit by a Saudi King to Moscow since the foundation of the Kingdom. The visit, which has been …

ANALYSIS/COMMENTARY Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Ankara on September 28 for key talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, including recent developments in Iraq and Syria and bilateral relations. At the same time, following months of strained relations between the two NATO-states, on Thursday German military has …

OPINION Shehab Al-Makahleh • Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on September 28, 2017. The two leaders are expected to dovetail their positions over regional issues before Turkish Special Forces get the nod to intervene in Idlib, the last stronghold …