Middle East – Realist Review

State-Sponsored Terrorism Is Back

February 21, 2023 by Realist Review Staff, posted in America, Middle East

Simeone Miller // As the United States faces strategic competition, it must be prepared to respond to the likely increase of state-sponsored terrorism in the coming years. In doing so, it must be cognizant of the blowback of responding to these threats with either unconventional or conventional military force as it has with Salafi-Jihadist terrorists. In lieu, it should be restrained and develop alternative means to engage in the return of state-sponsored terrorism through diplomacy, law enforcement, and intelligence cooperation.

Europe’s Breadbasket Isn’t Exporting Much Bread

January 31, 2023 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Africa, Middle East, Ukraine

Lake Dodson // Until mutual concessions are made to allow Ukrainian free trade or the Russian invasion of Ukraine ends, the lives of billions hang in the balance as “Europe’s breadbasket” is pillaged.

Ideas Have People: The Killing of Zawahiri and the War on Terror

September 16, 2022September 28, 2022 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Grand Strategy, Middle East

By Matthew Bryant // What was the effect that the death of Ayman Al-Zawahiri had on the global war on terror? The straightforward answer is that it mattered very little. The United States framed the global war on terror in terms of fighting an ideology rather than a specific target.

A Middle-Eastern NATO Is Highly Unlikely

September 5, 2022September 21, 2022 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Middle East

By Simeone Miller // The idea of a NATO-style alliance in the Middle East is a proposition that could benefit U.S. security interests. However, there are just too many roadblocks to making it happen, and little action is being taken by either the United States or Middle Eastern states to clear those roadblocks.

Over the Horizon: How to Improve the U.S. Counter-Terrorism Strategy

August 26, 2022September 28, 2022 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Middle East

By Simeone Miller // When the majority of Americans want fewer American troops engaged in direct combat and a tougher focus on China over counter-terrorism, U.S. decision-makers should not be so hesitant to try something new and give over the horizon a chance.

As the West Shifts Away From Fossil Fuels, MENA Pays the Price

August 5, 2022September 21, 2022 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Middle East

By Giorgia Piantanida // As a region of interest for the United States for economic and national-defense reasons, not assisting MENA in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels is dangerous.

Israel, Palestine and the Fallacy of the BDS Movement

October 27, 2021September 22, 2022 by Realist Review Staff, posted in Middle East

By David Heimowitz // Israeli-Arabs, sometimes referred to as “Palestinian citizens of Israel,” constitute 21% of Israel’s population. If BDS persuaded companies to initiate a series of successful boycotts, or even embargoes, Israel and Palestine both would witness a drop in their standard of living.