How Turkey and the Syrian Interim Government Outmanoeuvred the U.S. and the SDF in Syria
SDF forces have few options but to accept an unfavourable American- and Turkish-backed deal proposed by Damascus.
Selective Policy Transfer: Why GCC Reformers Borrow from China and Where It Breaks Down
China is less a blueprint than a reference point for the GCC. Governance instruments can be adapted, but their effects are mediated by local structures.
Trump in the Middle East: Seeking Peace through Deals
Trump’s approach to the Middle East reflects a distinct vision of order rooted in strength, transactional diplomacy, and regional burden-sharing.
Extremism in Post-War Syria: The Al-Hol Camp and the Ideological Resurgence of ISIS
Al-Hol camp is a major security threat. The longer the detained remain abandoned, the more likely the world will once again confront ISIS.
A New Gulf Order: How the UAE is Overtaking Saudi Arabia in regional leadership
The diverging paths the UAE and Saudi Arabia are likely to persist. The future of Gulf leadership may become more plural, adaptive and contested.
Mitigating Maritime Risks: Mapping Dark Ships from Russia and Iran to India and China
The 2025 Ukrainian strikes show that dark vessels are now at the crossroads of sanctions enforcement, hybrid conflict, and maritime safety.
The Future of Rojava: Kurdish Autonomy Under Threat in Syria
The conflict in Rojava has changed from a confrontation between the Syrian government and the SDF to a potential nationalist movement.
120 Years of Tension: The Conflict Between Constitutionalism and Shari’a-Based Governance in Modern Iranian History
The enduring struggle between secular constitutionalism and religious authority continues to define the Iranian political landscape.
Navigating Libya’s Peace Process: How U.S. Operations Diverge from UN Goals
In 2026, the multiplicity of stakeholders suggest a decisive outcome leading to a fully-fledged, durable settlement remains unlikely in Libya.
‘Dari’ and the Politics of Cultural and Civilisational Erasure in Afghanistan
The Taliban seek to marginalise Persian (Dari) in favour of Pashto, which forms part of a broader pattern of cultural suppression in Afghanistan.