Robert Springborg is Kuwait Foundation Visiting Scholar at Harvard University’s Middle East Initiative, Belfer Center. He is also Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies, King’s College, London, and non-resident Research Fellow of the Italian Institute of International Affairs.
Comment: Egypt's election might have been a farce, but it has emboldened Sisi on his path of consolidating personal power, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: For Mohammed bin Salman, $10 billion is not an investment in Egypt's future, so much as a payment to its military for supporting his ambitions, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: The real purpose of Sisi's operation is to reassure and intimidate voters, to glorify the president, and to distract from the regime's failings, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: The Middle East in 2018 faces plenty of known difficulties and challenges. But there are also some 'known unknowns' lurking, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: Iran's arming of its proxies is unlikely to achieve military success, but asymmetric warfare puts huge pressure on Saudi Arabia's vulnerable political leadership, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: The Arab world seems destined to continue to offer a leadership role in search of its hero, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: Iran has been viewed by both Republican and Democratic decision-makers as the more beautiful prize, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: King Salman and his son have cut off the head of the princely system, but its body remains entrenched in key governmental agencies, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: For democracy to appeal to those who do not live under it, and retain the commitment of those who do, it has to work properly, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: Egypt is one of the largest debtors in the world. It must look to history to understand the repercussions of excessive debt, writes Robert Springborg.
Comment: As the US' imperial might in the Middle East declines, and Russia and China's stars rise, what does the Middle East's future hold? asks Robert Springborg.
Comment: Neither populists like Trump, nor protectors of elitist power are capable of addressing the democratic deficit in America, writes Robert Springborg.
Robert Springborg is Kuwait Foundation Visiting Scholar at Harvard University’s Middle East Initiative, Belfer Center. He is also Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies, King’s College, London, and non-resident Research Fellow of the Italian Institute of International Affairs.
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