Research & Publications – Middle East & North Africa – Mauduit Study Forums

MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA

Mauduit Study Forums

A turbulent year for MENA in 2023: Economic stresses, political instability, and the need for decisive leadership by Paul Salem, Howard Eissenstat, Alex Vatanka, Nimrod Goren, Khaled Elgindy, Mirette F. Mabrouk, Gerald M. Feierstein, Intissar Fakir, Jonathan M. Winer, Charles Lister, Randa Slim, Marvin G. Weinbaum, Mohammed Mahmoud, and Brian Katulis. MEI@&%, January 30, 2023.

Sketching a Feminist EU Response to the Revolt in Iran by Cornelius Adebahr and Barbara Mittelhammer. Carnegie Europe, December 5, 2022.
Iranians from all walks of life are revolting against a regime built on the oppression of women and systematic violations of human rights. The EU should support civil society to help lay the foundation for a future that provides equality, life, and freedom for women and all Iranians.

Violence in the West Bank is a nightmare for Netanyahu by Amos Harel. The Brookings Institution, March 6, 2023.
Netanyahu is now facing what may be an assembling perfect storm, combining economic unrest, huge protests against his reforms, and growing international criticism. Yet his greatest problem currently may lie in the West Bank. If the lethal attacks against settlers continue, Ben-Gvir will find it hard to remain in the government while his demands for tougher action against Palestinians are not met by Netanyahu, who fears a confrontation with the White House.

Why Did China Help Saudi Arabia and Iran Resume Diplomatic Ties? By John B. Alterman. Center for Strategic & International Studies, March 10, 2023.
On Friday, March 10, Saudi Arabia and Iran announced their agreement to reestablish diplomatic relations based on talks held in Beijing. China has portrayed itself as the broker of the agreement, and China’s senior diplomat congratulated the two countries on their “wisdom.”

Why Don’t the Gulf States Get With the Program on Ukraine and Syria? By Ambassador William Roebuck. The Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, February 28, 2023.
Despite the visit and a recent Saudi vote at the United Nations against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – repeating a vote Riyadh cast in 2022 – the general view is that Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have maintained a neutral position on the conflict, despite U.S. pressure for a more robust response against Russia.