Events

  • Russia’s Changing Profile and Influence in Central Asia

    Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has had a major impact on its relations with the states of Central Asia. It has given rise to new efforts in some quarters to further de-colonialize from the Tsarist and Soviet legacies. Western sanctions have altered regional economic supply chains, and the large recent influx of

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  • Iran’s Proxies and the Risk of Escalation in the Israel-Hamas Conflict

    As the Biden administration seeks to keep the Israel-Hamas conflict contained in Gaza, Hezbollah and Israel have struck each other in limited but escalating ways, with the U.S. encouraging Israel to show restraint. Other Iranian-linked armed groups, including the Houthis in Yemen and the Kata’ib Hezbollah militia from Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), have exchanged

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  • Debate: Should Washington Talk to Moscow Now?

    As Russia’s war in Ukraine enters its third year, the threat of a protracted stalemate looms large. With Ukraine’s summer offensive stalled, Russia’s forces digging in, and the West wavering on financial and military aid, the Biden administration now faces difficult choices. Should Washington pursue peace negotiations with Moscow now, or would such efforts be

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  • The Israel-Hamas War and Iran’s Regional Activities

    In the wake of the shocking attack against Israel by Hamas, much attention has focused on the role of Iran, given its material, financial, and rhetorical support for Hamas. What is the nature of the coordination between Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah? How does Iran perceive its interests in this situation? Does Iran still view Hezbollah’s

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  • The U.S. Push for Saudi-Israel Normalization

    The Biden administration has been making efforts to expand the Abraham Accords by brokering an agreement on normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The Saudis have set out their goals, which alongside their desire for progress on the Israel-Palestinian issue include several major “asks” from the US: a security guarantee, easier access to

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