Tag Archives: diplomacy

Thinking Aloud: Learning the Right Lessons from Gambia

Posted on February 1, 2017 by notwhatyoumighthink

Feb. 1, 2017 by Darius  Two weeks ago, Yahya Jammeh, the man who had ruled the small West African nation of Gambia with an iron fist for the last 22 years, boarded a plane and flew into exile.  Jammeh’s departure … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Fool Me Once, Shame on You…

Posted on April 27, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

April 27, 2016 by Darius  President Obama recently wrapped up a trip to Saudi Arabia.  In a piece written just prior to Obama’s trip, Bruce Riedel of Brookings made the case for why the US must continue to invest in its … Continue reading →

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News You Really Need To See: “China and Africa: A Despot’s Guide to Foreign Aid”

Posted on April 21, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

“China and Africa: A Despot’s Guide to Foreign Aid” The Economist, April 16-22, 2016 http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21697001-want-more-cash-vote-china-united-nations-despots-guide-foreign “Pity the UN ambassador of a small African country each time a vote is called in the General Assembly. Many of the resolutions will be … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: “America’s Invisible Wars,” Part II

Posted on April 18, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

April 18, 2016 by Darius  [I recently saw a panel discussion at the CATO Institute on “America’s Invisible Wars.”  The discussion focused on some of America’s lesser-known interventions: Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.  The panelists who presented on each of these … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: “America’s Invisible Wars,” Part I

Posted on April 15, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

April 15, 2016 by Darius  I recently saw a panel discussion at the CATO Institute (I know, outside my normal range!) on “America’s Invisible Wars.”  The discussion focused on some of America’s lesser-known on-going interventions: Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia.  The … Continue reading →

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News You Really Need To See: “Soldiers v Politicians: Israel’s Generals and Their Troubled Relationship with the Elected Cabinet”

Posted on March 14, 2016 by notwhatyoumighthink

“Soldiers v Politicians: Israel’s Generals and Their Troubled Relationship with the Elected Cabinet” The Economist, March 14, 2016 http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21694715-gaza-has-become-new-civil-military-flashpoint-israels-generals-and-their-troubled “All is not well between Israel’s cabinet and the generals who supposedly report to them. Major-General Herzl Halevi arrived at the … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Riedel on Prince Mohammed bin Nayef

Posted on November 14, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Nov. 14, 2015 by Darius  Last week, I saw Brookings fellow Bruce Riedel talk about the unique role of Prince Muhammad bin Nayef, crown prince of Saudi Arabia, in spearheading the fight against jihad in the Middle East. Known as … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: “From Deep State to Islamic State”

Posted on October 12, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Oct. 12, 2015 by Darius  I recently read From Deep State to Islamic State: The Arab Counter-Revolution and Its Jihadi Legacy by French Middle East scholar Jean-Pierre Filiu. The book is an up-to-date analysis of why the Arab Spring crashed … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Oman, America’s Unheralded Ally

Posted on August 16, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Aug. 16, 2015 by Darius  Who are the top US allies in the Middle East?  Most people would respond with some combination of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.  But are these allies always beneficial to the US?  Israel goes directly … Continue reading →

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Thinking Aloud: Syrians on a Syrian Peace Deal

Posted on August 7, 2015 by notwhatyoumighthink

Aug. 7, 2015 by Darius  It is an oft-repeated claim (and not necessarily false) that there is no military solution to the Syrian civil war, that the parties must ultimately agree on a negotiated settlement.  The people saying this, though, … Continue reading →

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