Why Resettling Syrian Refugees Matters
Since the 2011 onset of the Syrian war, more than 4.5 million of 22.8 million Syrians have become refugees. As millions flee armed conflict, violent extremism, chemical weapons, and barrel bombs, the question of where they go...
The Hobby Lobby Settlement and Combating Cultural Property Trafficking
On July 5, 2017, prosecutors for the Eastern District of New York announced a settlement with Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. for its purchase and importation of Iraqi artifacts in violation of applicable customs laws. Hobby Lobby, a...
Kurdistan’s Desire for Statehood is Still Alive—Here’s Why
Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani issued a historic document on June 28 in which he announced a referendum for independence of Iraqi Kurdistan set on September 25. With ISIS control fading quickly, diplomatic drama in...
The Mental Health Crisis in Syria: A Major Gap in Humanitarian Medical Response
The civil war in Syria has led to a significant increase in the number of Syrians battling mental disorders. These include anxiety disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), and developmental problems....
Mother of all Bombs: Women as the Best Weapon against Violent Extremism
From Nigeria’s Boko Haram, to Al Qaeda, to ISIS, one commonality that links terrorist and extremist groups is their malicious assaults on the rights of women and girls. However, while women and girls are often the first targets...
Trump’s Support for the House of Saud Highlights his Middle East Hypocrisy
President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia concerned a variety of issues centered on strengthening the strategic U.S.-Saudi partnership and containing their shared rivals in Tehran. While the ongoing war in neighboring...
Do Not Lift the Arms Embargo on Libya
The conflict in Libya is intensifying. Battles between rival militias are unceasing and deadly. As I wrote last month, the conflict is unlikely to resolve quickly. Amid this chaos, Egypt recently called for an end to a United...
The Saudi-Qatar Rift: The Cat Calling the Kettle a Terrorist Financier
Last week, a host of mostly Gulf Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia cut ties with Qatar citing via the Saudi Press Agency “the dangers of terrorism and extremism,” and specifically it’s funding of such terrorist groups. Some,...
Libya’s Grim Future
Last year, Libyan militias supported by U.S. special forces fought to oust the local Islamic State affiliate from the city of Sirte. After a grinding battle, the group was expelled from its primary stronghold in December. Success...
Milking Two Cows: Egypt’s Return to Cold War Politics
Arriving in Tel Aviv after a trip to Cairo, Defense Secretary Mattis praised the U.S.-Egyptian military-to-military relations as a solid bedrock. Just the night before, Egypt freed a U.S. aid worker, Aya Hijazi, who had been held...