An influx of Iranian troops into Syria is complementing Russian airstrikes in attempting to shore up the Assad regime.
An Inevitable Triumvirate: Syria, Russia, and Iran
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Bashar Al-Assad
Is Putin Really as Foolish as We Are?
Putin’s attempt at “shock and awe” in Syria has all the hallmarks of failed U.S. interventions of the past
The Dark Saudi-Israeli Plot to Tip the Scales in Syria
The Saudis and the Turks are scaling up their support for Syrian jihadists while the Israelis contemplate a new war with Hezbollah.
Authoritarian Symps
In the post-Cold War era, the right and even some on the left are playing a new game of “Who’s your favorite dictator?”
The Problem with Young Dictators
Bashar al-Assad is not going to age out of office any time soon.
The Islamic State’s Strange Co-dependency With Syrian President Assad
The regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad may not be as close to the brink as reported.
ISIS Unites the World
There’s no better time for Sunni and Shia to sit down together and address not just ISIS but the injustice, intolerance, and inequality that birthed it.
Charlie Hebdo: Middle East Blowback?
After the Paris massacre, European governments should resist narratives of civilizational conflict and push for a ceasefire in the Syrian war.
Does Syria See the U.S. as an Ally?
By attacking rebels less extreme than the Islamic State, the U.S. almost seems to be doing Syria’s bidding.
Barack Obama and the Will to Fight
Obama is more than willing to stand up against the Islamic State. Too bad he wasn’t willing to stand up to his hawkish critics.