Saudi Arabia

Cracks Appear in Saudi Glass Palace

SWJED — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 22:18:30 +0000

Cracks Appear in Saudi Glass Palace SWJED Tue, 10/29/2019 - 6:18pm

Saudi Arabia’s overweening confidence as a leading Sunni power has been enfeebled by the 14 September attack on its oil facilities. Its sworn enemy, Iran, has carried out the attack by itself or its Houthi proxy in Yemen. It amounts to the same thing.

The Prospects for Advancing US-Saudi Defense Alliance in the Shadow of the ARAMCO Attacks

SWJED — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 04:16:40 +0000

The Prospects for Advancing US-Saudi Defense Alliance in the Shadow of the ARAMCO Attacks SWJED Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:16am

Following the recent attacks on Saudi ARAMCO oil fields, which according to US and Saudi intelligence assessments, involved both drones and cruise missiles, and most likely originated in Southern Iran, the future of the US-Saudi alliance has come into question as President Trump has been taking time to assess the nature of the threat and to decide on reasonable next steps that would deter Iran from further aggression in the region.

Oil and Rentier States: How Falling Oil Prices Will Affect the Middle East

SWJED — Wed, 18 Sep 2019 08:06:15 +0000

Oil and Rentier States: How Falling Oil Prices Will Affect the Middle East SWJED Wed, 09/18/2019 - 4:06am

Less than a decade after weathering massive geo-political upheavals from the Arab Springs, the Middle East is on the verge of yet another crisis; the plummeting price of crude oil. “Rentier states” in the Middle East, have for several decades, secured their status-quo by building an overwhelming portion of their economy dedicated to the sale of crude oil. While the rentier system has been successful in propping up Middle Eastern governments for decades, the downside to this system is the economic and political uncertainty created by the rapidly changing value in a single commodity.

The Arab Coalition Must Put Aside Differences, Rethink Strategy on Yemen

SWJED — Sun, 01 Sep 2019 15:27:21 +0000

The Arab Coalition Must Put Aside Differences, Rethink Strategy on Yemen SWJED Sun, 09/01/2019 - 11:27am

Two major recent developments illustrate ongoing challenges and potential new obstacles in the war in Yemen, the major objective of which, the put down of the rebellion by the Iran-backed Houthi separatists appears to be sidelined by other considerations and misunderstandings.

Assessment of the Impacts of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 on U.S. Efforts to Confront Iran

SWJED — Mon, 01 Apr 2019 04:20:56 +0000

Assessment of the Impacts of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 on U.S. Efforts to Confront Iran

This article is published as part of the Small Wars Journal and Divergent Options Writing Contest which runs from March 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019.

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America’s Strategic Options in the Middle East

SWJED — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 06:11:47 +0000

America’s Strategic Options in the Middle East

Before he resigned, former Defense Secretary James Mattis was reportedly working in conjunction with the Department of State to revise US policy in the Middle East. Whatever vision Mr. Mattis had will have likely died when he left office - but he had the right idea in undertaking a review.

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Trumpism and Tribalism Run Amok in the Middle East

SWJED — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 16:34:47 +0000

Trumpism and Tribalism Run Amok in the Middle East

Trump and his enablers do enough damage in America and to their direct targets, but the indirect effects are also quite serious, not least of all in the Middle East. Two very current, sad examples are Saudi Arabia and Israel.

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The Qatar Crisis, its Regional Implications, and the US National Interest

SWJED — Tue, 06 Feb 2018 09:05:38 +0000

The Qatar Crisis, its Regional Implications, and the US National Interest

There are many competing factors involved in this crisis which could create challenges to regional security should diplomatic tools fail to solve their differences.

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Yemen: An Escapable Disaster - Why the United States Should Avoid Military Intervention

SWJED — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 05:23:57 +0000

Yemen: An Escapable Disaster - Why the United States Should Avoid Military Intervention

A national catastrophe embroiling Yemen’s neighbors and a microcosm of the problems existing throughout the greater Middle East.

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From Proxy Wars to Direct War Between Iran and Saudi Arabia: America’s Options

SWJED — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 07:33:19 +0000

From Proxy Wars to Direct War Between Iran and Saudi Arabia: America’s Options

The fundamentalist rulers of Iran are confident that their goal of establishing a coalition of Shia countries and regions under their control is nearing fruition.

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