George Washington warned us well. In his Farewell Address of 1796, he urged his fellow citizens to remain “constantly awake” against “the insidious wiles of foreign influence,” which history and experience prove to be “one of the most baneful foes of republican government.” Two and a quarter centuries …
Read More »The Kurdish Question Cannot Be Postponed Forever: A New Middle East Requires a New Approach to Historical Injustices
By Hadi Elis History often creates illusions. At times, events appear to repeat themselves, giving the impression that societies are trapped in endless cycles of conflict, revolution, and repression. Yet history rarely repeats itself in an identical manner. Instead, it evolves through changing circumstances, new actors, and altered …
Read More »Lebanon’s Framework Agreement with Israel: Does Beirut Have the Institutional Foundation to Enter a New Era?
The word “sovereignty” has become one of the most frequently used concepts in political discourse, yet it remains one of the most contested in terms of its actual meaning. For many, sovereignty is presented as a political slogan: a declaration of independence, a rejection of foreign influence, or …
Read More »Sovereignty Is More Than a Political Slogan
Few concepts are used more frequently in political discourse than sovereignty. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Sovereignty is often reduced to the simple idea of territorial independence and non-interference. However, in today’s interconnected world, sovereignty has become far more complex. A sovereign state is …
Read More »Dollar index hits 13-month high on hawkish Fed, shaky Middle East outlook
Euro/dollar falls to lowest level since March 16, sterling also weakens against greenback The dollar index climbed to a 13-month high on Friday, supported by hawkish messages from the US Federal Reserve and renewed uncertainty over efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East. The index rose …
Read More »From War to Containment: Has the Middle East Entered the Post-Escalation Era?
Dr. Shehab Makahleh Amid the conflicting celebrations that followed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, an unusual political picture has emerged across the Middle East. Israel speaks of a political setback, Iran speaks of a strategic victory, and Washington appears determined to market an agreement that …
Read More »The Politics of Energy Transition: How Gulf States are Preparing for a Post-Hydrocarbon Future
Khizar Hayat “My grandfather rode a camel, my father rode a camel, I ride a Mercedes, my son rides a Land Rover, and my grandson is going to ride a Land Rover…but my great-grandson is going to have to ride a camel again.” Sheikh Rashid, the late ruler …
Read More »A Syrian Incursion into Lebanon Would Be Washington’s Biggest Mistake
At a moment when Hezbollah faces one of the most severe crises in its history, Washington risks handing the group the very lifeline it desperately needs. Recent comments by President Donald Trump suggesting that Syria could play a role in facilitating more precise operations against Hezbollah have revived …
Read More »23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue: Can Southeast Asia still be a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality?
M. Faizal Abdul Rahman Contrast the speeches of the U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, and the Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr Kao Kim Hourn, at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 30 May 2026. It raises the question of whether …
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