Publications

This paper examines the extent of US, Russian and Iranian influence in Iraq following Russia's intervention in Syria in September 2015 and the formation of a coordination cell between Russian, Syrian,...chevron_right

This report describes the different opposition groups fighting against Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria. More specifically, it outlines where the groups are specifically operating; gauges their relat...chevron_right

This commentary discusses the suggestions in Western media that the large numbers of people entering Europe from Syria in 2015 may be harboring Islamic State (IS) "sleeper cells". The author examines ...chevron_right

This issue of the CAD includes three articles that examine the relative effectiveness of anti-corruption policies in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The first article recounts Armenia’s experiences i...chevron_right

This paper looks at the major stumbling blocks Turkey still faces in its attempts to join the EU. The impediments include 1) a flawed democracy, which is being further undermined by Recep Tayyip Erdoğ...chevron_right

This brief examines the state-building problems that exist in Somaliland, including the attempt to centralize power within an unstable environment. The brief's authors particularly focus on 1) the sel...chevron_right

This Insight argues that China's economy has inched up to the so-called "middle-income trap," which is a phenomenon where rapidly growing economies stagnate at middling levels and fail to ascend into ...chevron_right

This brief examines Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s address at the UN General Assembly in September 2015, the state of disorder in the Middle East and Iran’s role in the region. The author also dis...chevron_right

This backgrounder provides an overview of US-Saudi relations. In particular, the authors look at 1) the 70 year history of the alliance between the two countries; 2) the role oil plays in US-Saudi tie...chevron_right

This paper discusses the decision by Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to call snap elections for November 1, 2015. The author examines 1) the results of the previous elections which...chevron_right

This brief takes the measure of current and potential conflicts throughout the globe (as of September 2015). Like previous publications in this series, it assesses whether the overall situation in eac...chevron_right

This commentary discusses Indonesian President Joko (Jokowi) Widodo's October 2015 state visit to the United States. The text's author specifically clarifies the meeting's core issues, which involve d...chevron_right

This brief argues that the Kremlin has tightened its grip on Crimea while the world has shifted its attention to Syria and elsewhere. Indeed, Moscow's mass relocation of Russian military servicemen to...chevron_right

This brief discusses the possibility of political reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, primarily through previously unexplored energy cooperation. To support his argument, the author first pr...chevron_right

This brief assesses the five principles guiding the US' post-2016 strategy in Afghanistan. The principles include 1) continuing the development of key capabilities in the Afghan National Security Forc...chevron_right