The Saudi intervention to help quell a Shia-dominated uprising in neighboring Bahrain is misguided and the kingdom should instead focus on guiding the way to political modernization, writes CFR's Ray Takeyh.
See more in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Democracy and Human Rights
Steven A. Cook argues, "Obama must resist the urge to help Egyptian democrats - unless they demand it."
See more in Egypt, Political Movements, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Ray Takeyh says that the most effective means of disarming the Islamic Republic is to invest in the Green Movement in Iran.
See more in Iran, Democracy and Human Rights, Proliferation, Political Movements
The military leadership now running Egypt emerged from two weeks of anti-government protests with its reputation intact, but it has yet to prove commitment to the reforms demanded by the public, writes CFR's Steven Cook.
See more in Egypt, Democracy and Human Rights, Political Movements
Ray Takeyh says that what is unfolding in Arab streets is not an assertion of religious reaction but a yearning for democracy with all its burdens and rewards.
See more in Egypt, Democracy and Human Rights, Religion and Politics
Egypt's protests put it on the threshold of dramatic change but a range of factors, including the role of the military, will have a critical bearing on the outcome of the crisis, says CFR's Steven Cook.
See more in Middle East, Democracy and Human Rights
Steven A. Cook says the United States, in the wake of the uprisings in Egypt, must accomodate itself to the realities of a changed Middle East and not try to change it.
See more in Egypt, Democracy and Human Rights, Political Movements, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Steven A. Cook comments on what the protests in Egypt can achieve.
See more in Egypt, Democracy and Human Rights, Political Movements
Steven A. Cook analyzes the Tunisian military's next steps in the wake of the uprising.
See more in Tunisia, Middle East, Political Movements
Ray Takeyh says President Ahmadinejad is beginning to attempt to consolidate his power in Iran.
See more in Iran, Political Movements, Religion and Politics
Military and popular support for Tunisian President Ben Ali's departure from power could mean pressure on new leadership for reform, and could also lead to modest concessions to reform in Egypt and elsewhere, says CFR's Steven Cook.
See more in Tunisia, Democracy and Human Rights, Rule of Law, International Peace and Security
Ray Takeyh asks, "Just how stable is Iran's clerical regime?"
See more in Iran, Religion and Politics
Ray Takeyh says that as Tehran engages the world on its nuclear infractions, it becomes easier for Iran repress its domestic opponents.
See more in Iran, Democracy Promotion, Proliferation
Egypt's parliamentary elections played out in a predictable, marred pattern and may presage a time of instability, writes CFR's Steven Cook.
Steven A. Cook discusses whether Egypt can continue to have an influential role on the politics of the Middle East and beyond.
See more in Egypt
Ray Takeyh argues, "as part of any negotiations with the West, the Islamic Republic should be asked to amend not just its nuclear infractions but also its human rights abuses."
See more in United States, Iran, Proliferation
Stephen Biddle says that President Obama's incorporation of U.S. domestic politics into his Afghan war strategy is necessary.
See more in United States, Afghanistan, Wars and Warfare, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Ray Takeyh argues that Washington's attempts to have Iran rejoin the international community will be unsuccessful, since the Islamic Republic is too mired in ideological and domestic disagreements to act in the nation's interest.
See more in United States, Iran, Political Movements, Religion and Politics
Ray Takeyh clarifies the extent of the CIA's involvement in the 1953 coup in Iran.
See more in Iran, Political Movements, Religion and Politics
Stephen Biddle argues that troop withdrawal from Iraq should be slow and gradual.
See more in Balkans, Iraq, Wars and Warfare
The David Rockefeller Studies Program is CFR’s “think tank.” Its work is integral to achieving CFR’s goal of contributing to the foreign policy debate. Fellows in the Studies Program do this by researching, writing, and commenting on the most important challenges facing the United States and the world.
