Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Plan Pushes Turkey Closer to Russia By Ömer Taşpınar - Jan 20, 2019

When Donald Trump declared last month that American forces in Syria would return home immediately, Turkey was one of the few countries to cheer. Some in Ankara even declared “victory.” For after all, America’s main partners on the ground against ISIS have been Kurdish forces that Turkey considers terrorists linked to the Kurdish Workers’ Party … Continue reading “Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Plan Pushes Turkey Closer to Russia”

Germany’s ‘Mosque Tax’ Seeks to Pull Muslims Closer to the State – and Further from Foreign Capitals By Faisal Al Yafai - Jan 20, 2019

Since the 19th century, Germany’s Catholics and Protestants have paid church taxes in order to fund the churches and schools of their faith. Now, politicians in Europe’s largest country are considering extending the scheme to the Muslim population, as a way of reducing the influence of foreign countries and encouraging the growth of a “German Islam.” … Continue reading “Germany’s ‘Mosque Tax’ Seeks to Pull Muslims Closer to the State – and Further from Foreign Capitals”

In Defeating the Zenki Opposition Group, Syria’s HTS Shows How It Dominates Over Rebel Forces By Haid Haid - Jan 17, 2019

The swift defeat of the Nour Al Din Al Zenki movement by its one-time ally, Hay’at Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), has shocked close observers of Syria. For despite its modest size, Zenki had been considered one of the strongest fighting factions in northern Syria. Zenki had a strong central command structure, loyal fighters and local … Continue reading “In Defeating the Zenki Opposition Group, Syria’s HTS Shows How It Dominates Over Rebel Forces”

Dubai Hopes to Future-Proof Its Economy Through University Free-Zones By Jonathan Gornall - Jan 16, 2019

What, exactly, is higher education for? It’s a question that few pause to consider in an age when education to university level is not only regarded virtually as mandatory, but has also become a significant source of income for many economies. It is also a question that, indirectly, is raised by the publication of a … Continue reading “Dubai Hopes to Future-Proof Its Economy Through University Free-Zones”

Trump’s Military Doctrine: Let Others Do the Fighting By Faisal Al Yafai - Jan 14, 2019

At the start of Donald Trump’s first cabinet meeting of the year, the television cameras were allowed in for a handful of questions to the US president. His remarks offered a valuable insight into his current military doctrine with regard to Syria and Afghanistan, two countries where he has pledged to reduce the number of … Continue reading “Trump’s Military Doctrine: Let Others Do the Fighting”