Middle East Archives

Research Briefing

Oil embargo on Iran and the threat to the Straits of Hormuz

Thursday, 19 January, 2012

EU countries are preparing to impose a new round of sanctions on Iran, to include an embargo on the import of oil. The US has also enacted new legislation which will target the Iranian central bank and make oil trading more difficult for Iran. Iran has responded with some threatening comments about closing the Straits of Hormuz, leading to a rise in the oil price. It has also signalled that it is open to re-starting talks. This note details these developments and gives some samples of recent expert commentary.
Research Briefing

Drone attacks and the killing of Anwar al-Awlaqi: legal issues

Tuesday, 20 December, 2011

Anwar al-Awlaqi, a dual US-Yemeni citizen described as the “leader of external operations for Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula”, was killed by a US drone attack in Yemen on 30 September 2011. Whether this was legal under international or US law is a matter of considerable debate.
Research Briefing

In Brief: The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011

Tuesday, 13 December, 2011

Comprehensive financial sanctions were imposed on Iran by Statutory Instrument 2775, The Financial Restrictions (Iran) Order 2011, to be debated on a motion to approve on 13 December 2011.
Research Briefing

In Brief: Egyptian election 2011

Friday, 25 November, 2011

A brief run-down of the first election in Egypt since the fall of Hosni Mubarak
Research Briefing

In Brief: Syrian crisis

Friday, 25 November, 2011

A short note on the deepening Syrian crisis
Research Briefing

The Arab Uprisings

Tuesday, 15 November, 2011

Since December 2010, the most profound process of change has affected the countries of the Arab world. The change spread quickly between the countries of the region, underlining the many common factors that provoked unrest. How the region’s revolutions progress, however, depends on the individual characteristics of each country, which are very different. This paper looks at these similarities and differences and considers the possible outcomes in each case. The legitimacy of ruling regimes, the effect of societies’ divisions along confessional lines and the role of the region’s militaries are considered.
Research Briefing

In Brief: The IAEA report and action against Iran

Monday, 07 November, 2011

The IAEA is to release a report on the Iranian nuclear programme on 8 or 9 November. The report will give strong evidence suggesting that Iran is working on the components of a nuclear weapon, and there has been a flurry of speculation that Israel is preparing for military action against Iran.
Research Briefing

Palestinian statehood

Thursday, 11 August, 2011

Disillusioned with the US-led peace process, Palestinian leaders are seeking a UN resolution in September 2011 in favour of Palestinian statehood. The political implications of such a resolution are likely to be bigger than its legal ones. But despite the momentum gained by the Palestinian proposal, it is possible that external and internal opposition could delay the initiative.
Research Briefing

Power struggle in Iran

Thursday, 28 July, 2011

This note looks at the internal politics of Iran and, in particular, the recent split in the conservative camp between supporters of Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei and the President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Research Briefing

Iran’s nuclear programme: an update

Thursday, 21 July, 2011

Shortly after taking office, US President Obama gave negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme one year to produce results, promising to push for a new set of United Nations sanctions if there was no progress. The E3+3 countries, France, Germany and the United Kingdom plus China, Russia and the United States reached agreement on a fourth round of sanctions in June 2010 This note looks at Iran’s nuclear programme, the effects of UN, US and EU sanctions and possible alternative approaches to the problem.
Research Briefing

Turkey’s 2011 elections and beyond

Thursday, 14 July, 2011

At Turkey’s general elections on 12 June 2011, the governing Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won nearly 50% of the overall vote. This was the first time that a ruling party in Turkey has increased its vote in a third term. In the medium term its biggest challenges will be drafting a new constitution, stabilising the economy, and negotiating changing regional relationships, but in the short term it needs to diffuse a crisis over MPs boycotting parliament.
Research Briefing

In brief: Arab uprisings 2011

Wednesday, 15 June, 2011

A very brief survey of developments in the Arab world in 2011
Research Briefing

Unrest spreads to Syria

Friday, 10 June, 2011

This note looks at the background to the recent unrest in Syria and analyses briefly the threats to the regime and its sources of strength, and the position of western governments towards the regime.
Research Briefing

Yemen on the brink of civil war?

Thursday, 09 June, 2011

President Saleh's departure to Saudi Arabia for treatment for injuries received in a rocket attack leaves a power vacuum in Yemen, with powerful military forces squaring up for a fight over the succession.
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Research Briefing

Progress in Egypt?

Tuesday, 24 May, 2011

The note looks at the constitutional referendum held in Egypt and on political developments in the country.

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