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The Maghreb: A Battle Ground for the Intra-Sunni Cold War
  • Focus

The Maghreb: A Battle Ground for the Intra-Sunni Cold War

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar and Turkey have been competing in North Africa since 2011 through financial investments and cultivation of political clients. This is driven by three main factors.

22 June 2020
Saudi Arabia, Iran and Covid-19
  • Focus

Saudi Arabia, Iran and Covid-19

Power, security and religion are used by analysts to reflect on the rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Some reduce the rivalry to a struggle over power in the Middle East, others to leadership over the Islamic world.

15 June 2020
China, Russia, and Geopolitical Games in Pandemic-Stricken MENA Region
  • Spot On

China, Russia, and Geopolitical Games in Pandemic-Stricken MENA Region

As the coronavirus pandemic takes a tragic toll geopolitical games continue to be played by authoritarian regimes. Russia and China have been exploiting the situation to improve their status internationally.

23 April 2020
Covid-19, a Stress-Test for Euro Mediterranean Relations
  • Spot On

Covid-19, a Stress-Test for Euro Mediterranean Relations

There are countless articles on how the Covid-19 is stress-testing the foundations of EU solidarity. Less ink has been spilled over the impact of the crisis on its external relations with Neighbourhood South.

20 April 2020
Hostile Environments in the Mediterranean
  • Focus

Hostile Environments in the Mediterranean

In May 2012, Theresa May said that her aim “was to create a really hostile environment for illegal migration.” The “hostile environment” has since come to characterise a “culture of cruelty” in UK immigration policy.

10 February 2020
In from the Cold: Russia’s Agenda in the Middle East and Implications for the EU
  • Policy Brief

In from the Cold: Russia’s Agenda in the Middle East and Implications for the EU

ussian foreign policy in the MENA forms part of a comprehensive strategy, aimed at undercutting what it perceives as Western supremacy. However, in the perception of several regional leaders, Russia emerged as a consistent actor, proving reliable.

4 February 2020
Imposing Middle East Peace: Why EU Member States Should Recognise Palestine
  • Spot On

Imposing Middle East Peace: Why EU Member States Should Recognise Palestine

In late 2017, US President broke US policy on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Today’s Foreign Affairs Council is an opportunity to take stock of the situation and to contemplate the next moves to make.

22 January 2020