http://rusi.org/ web@rusi.org en-us Copyright 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C48D3A951F1F49/ One of the many issues that face General Ray Odierno as he settles his massive military frame into the chair left empty by General David Petraeus is how to deal with the militias. Maintaining the momentum of the recent military successes relies on the continuing professional development of the Iraqi Security Forces. But if these forces are to have credibility the militia issue must be tackled. September 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C48A2DEB49744B/ King Abdullah of Jordan became the first Arab head of state to visit Iraq after the fall of Saddam. His visit signals a pragmatic policy towards a changing Middle East. August 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C482C37D86C34E/ The latest stand-off between Hezbollah and the Lebanese government underlines the primacy of the Shia movement. They have now fundamentally challenged the terms of the grand bargain between Lebanon’s many different sects and confessions. May 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C47FCAEA9A42B0/ Despite the upbeat, though sober report presented by General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, the fact remains that the US still has no workable exit strategy other than to hope for the best and be prepared to exploit whatever favourable opportunities might arise. April 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C47ED230C50F24/ Halting Hamas rocket attacks on Israel will ultimately require an authority that holds both the power and the interest to do so. Under the current circumstances, only two such potential authorities exist – Israel and Hamas. March 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C479637092C586/ The British left must face-up to the truth: Iran could still develop a nuclear bomb in the next few years. This can only be avoided, says Malcolm Chalmers, by engagement and diplomacy. January 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C4784DF6A9E6B2/ The US President visits the Gulf amidst heightened tension between the United States and Iran. But the latest episode in the Straits of Hormuz only underlines the wariness towards both countries by Gulf Arab States. January 2008 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C47289E3D4C118/ An analysis of the means the US should employ in its policy towards Iran's nuclear ambitions. A combination of sticks, carrots and diplomacy might serve Washington's aims better than sanctions and rhetorical brinksmanship. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C47173F82B88B6/ Turkey's decision to authorize a deployment of troops to Iraq will be enough to persuade Iraq to take action against the PKK and the US to develop a more pragmatic reading of Ottoman history. October 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C46F90F06A59F5/ Violent interventions in the sovereign space of other states are rapidly becoming a familiar feature of contemporary global politics. September 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C461F9FB7A4BF4/ April 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C46080D68E3CB6/ In light of the established evidence, the Iranian seizure of Royal Navy personnel seems bizarre March 2007 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C4534C62EF11B3/ The end of ambiguity about Pyongyang's nuclear capacity raises fundamental questions affecting China, the United States, and the future of international non-proliferation strategy. Indirectly, these consequences could actually work to the advantage of the West in its attempts to prevent Iran 'going nuclear'. October 2006 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C44E5877FD7759/ After a month long war, perhaps the most significant in the Middle East in its recent history, are we now witnessing a new regional order? August 2006 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C4300BA513D699/ The Gaza Disengagement Plan has already achieved a remarkable result: re-injecting a sense of progress and anticipation into the Palestine-Israel peace process. However, this hubris is itself the enemy of clarity. August 2005 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C42EF45DDF2FF4/ August 2005 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD9BEC77889/ Olivier Roy, one of the world’s great experts on Islamism and the Middle East, brings fascinating news from the front in the battle of civilisations. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41B5DFC5E0839/ Arafat is dead. Across the Arab world, the news was greeted with an outpouring of shock and mourning that dwarfed anything we have seen in the West since the generation of WWII leaders died. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD969FE0839/ The book addresses Muslims first and foremost, and particularly European Muslims. For it is through them that Kepel sees the only hope of ending this clash of civilisations. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41B5E2BFD9309/ Published in the RUSI Newsbrief, November 2004. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD88081D339/ Ramadan’s stated project is to provide Muslims living outside the ‘Umma’ (or community of believers) with a corpus of teachings on how to be fulfilled, integral Muslims in a modern, Western, context. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD9482B9739/ After Jihad is, primarily, a book of political practice rather than political theory. December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD7E476B547/ December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41BD84B7CCFB9/ December 2004 http://rusi.org/research/studies/menap/commentary/rss/ref:C41B5DD04D9309/ December 2004