The UAE’s School of Government Can Help the Arab World Live Up to Its Potential

Since its establishment in 2005, the Mohammed bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), formerly known as the Dubai School of Government, has emerged as a leading school of public policy in the United Arab Emirates. The quality of its researchers and resources, as well as its partnership with Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, make it a premier Arab institution in the sphere of governance. The MBRSG can play a significant role in steering broader developments in the Middle East and the Arab world.

Islamism Is Stunting Turkish Academic Achievement

The success stories of Turkish Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar and the Turkish couple who developed a vaccine for the COVID-19 virus demonstrate that Turks are capable of spectacular achievements—provided they conduct their academic careers in the free world, not in a country strangled by an increasingly Islamist regime.

Joe Biden’s Engagement in Belarus

Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, President Joe Biden is taking an active interest in Belarus, a small country on the periphery of Russia, and suggesting a more hawkish policy toward Russia. It’s worth looking into the possible reasons for his interest and the possible pitfalls.

The Double Whammy of the New US Envoy for Iranian Affairs

The new US administration’s emerging policy on the Iranian and Palestinian issues flouts the very principles of human rights and civil liberties it seeks to promote.

Joe Biden’s Foreign Policy: A Preliminary Assessment

The Biden administration’s foreign policy is rapidly coming into view. Despite rhetoric designed to mollify Middle Eastern allies, the trajectory of decisions clearly favors a return to the Obama policy of elevating Iran at the expense of Israel and Sunni states. More broadly, key moves weaken the US stance against China while ensuring domestic turmoil. American allies will have to adjust to a period of American weakness and possibly even betrayal.

President Biden, Assure Decency Toward Israel when Reengaging with Institutions

President Joe Biden regards himself as a champion of decency. He is equally committed to reengaging with international institutions. Assuring decency toward Israel in United Nations fora would be a good way to demonstrate both.

China’s Steps in a Globalized Environment

During his term as US president, Donald Trump employed an economic and foreign policy that challenged globalization in an attempt to stem the rise of China—but that did not prevent Beijing from taking its own steps toward multilateralism, free trade, and economic liberalization. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Sino-European Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) are indicative of this. President Biden will govern in a world in which Cold War frameworks do not apply. When looking for partnerships with allies to restrain China’s influence, he will encounter Beijing’s deep engagement in a globalized international environment.

The IDF Must Be Ready to Prevent Iran’s Nuclearization

Ensuring the necessary capabilities to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons should political efforts fail to achieve this goal must be the IDF’s top priority. Judging from his speech on January 26, Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is facing this professional and moral responsibility with great determination.

Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi’s Landmark Speech

IDF Chief of General Staff Aviv Kochavi's January 26 speech conveyed important messages to multiple audiences. The most notable was that the IDF is preparing for action against Iran’s nuclear program even if it has to do it on its own.

Must Restoring the US-Europe Alliance Be at Israel’s and Sunni Arab States’ Expense?

The United States does not have to appease the Europeans over Iran in order to cement the trans-Atlantic alliance. Instead, it should press the Europeans to increase their military spending to merit the close relationship, especially in the face of a Russia that poses a greater threat to Europe than it does to the US.

Perspectives Papers