Pundits have long debated France’s Arab policy, which was launched by Charles de Gaulle and was seen as France’s “third way” between the two main powers of the Cold War era. is foreign policy explained France’s unique approach to the Palestinian ques- tion – which was, for decades, the only controversial issue in the Middle East – and then to the con ict in Lebanon, especially dur- ing the Civil War from 1975 to 1990.

This study attempts to analyze a major facet of the international struggle against Da’ish: its media war, which the organization wages alongside its efforts to expand and to fight surrounding regional and international powers. The study observes Da’ish’s media phenomena in the context of the integral role of the media in modern international conflicts, with attention to the development of media tools in Jihadist organizations since the seventies. This investigation reveals the remarkable evolution of the terrorist group in its bid to entrench itself as a caliphate state. The study focuses on Da’ish’s media administration structure and its strategy in deployin

“Some Observations on the Significance of President Xi Jinping’s visit and the Problem of the Sino-Saudi Relationship.” By, Mohammed Al-sudairi. Published Rabi Al-Thani, 1437/February, 2016.   Saudi Arabia was accorded the honor of being the first destination on President Xi Jinping’s, tour, which as Al-sudairi argues, “is perceived as being a critical catalyst towards re-energizing the relationship after several years of drift.” In add

Publication Title: Masarat 23 “Understanding the Rise of the Lebanese Hezbollah: The 1985-2000 South Lebanon Security Zone Conflict.” Publication Date:  Jumada I – II, 1437, February – March, 2016.   While pundits attribute the Damascene regime’s resilience in the ongoing Syrian conflict largely to the Russian intervention since September 2015, the sudden emergence of the Lebanese Hezbollah on Syrian turf since 2013 has arguably proven to be no less valuable for Bashar al-Assad’s continuous grip on power. This report showcases, by virtu

Quo vadis, “Party of God”? The Regional Entanglement of the Lebanese Hezbollah: A Slippery Slope between Doctrinal Resistance against Israel and Strategic Adaptation in Syria. By, Sebastian Maier. Published: Rabi 2, 1437 – January, 2016.   In this 7th version of Dirasat, Sebastian Maier argues: While the Lebanese Hezbollah&r

“A New Price Era in a Time of Climate Action: Towards a Resilient and Responsive Saudi Economy” By Noura T Al Saud & Mashael AL-Shalan January 24th, 2016   The relentless pace of major consequential world events in recent years molded some of us into ardent pessimists. The world seemingly feels more vulnerable today than it has ever been; as we struggle to sustain a delicate balance between maintaining security and fostering economic growth. Less imminent and tangible of a threat

Masarat 22nd Issue, Published January, 2016/Rabi Al-Thani, 1437 Hijri.   This paper aims to discuss the asymmetric, interdependent nature of the relationship between Russia and Iran. The two countries have found themselves on the same side in a variety of conflicts in which their national interests have coincided, and among these conflicts is the current Syrian civil war. The paper discusses the aspects that the alliance on the Syrian issue is based on, the consolidation of this alliance through military synergies between the two countries, and the criticism received by Iran&r

Masarat 21st issue, published December 2015/Rabi Al-Awwal 1437 Hijri.    ‘Deciphering Russian Interference in Syria: What is at Stake for Moscow?’   Amid the turmoil in the Levant, a region entangled in the Syrian civil war for over four years, a significant change in trajectory has recently taken place. In mid September 2015, Russian armed forces deployed along the Syrian Mediterranean coast in the La

The 20th Masarat issue, published November 2015/Safar 1437.   When Russia jumped into the fray, adding yet another layer of complexity to the already intractable Syrian conflict, commentators and politicians responded predominantly by projecting their hopes unto a game-changer seen as shifting a hurting stalemate toward its denouement. The prospect of a dangerous escalation making the crisis even more difficult to solve was largely dismissed, based on a rather speculative and wishful understanding of Russia’s intentions or capacities.

By Noura Turki Al Saud Oct 21, 2015   Since the oil price decline in the Fall of 2014, speculations concerning Saudi Arabia’s behavior in the oil market have been mounting. Traditionally viewed as the oil market’s savior, the Kingdom has borne the burden of oil market disruptions and price volatility since the boom of its oil industry, heightened in the years after the Arab oil embargo in the 1970’s. Today, this trend is being disrupted as Saudi Arabia relinquishes its customary role in stabilizing the market, refusing to bear the sole burden of defending prices. This step has unjustifiably generated noise about a globa