Studies
The Dilemma of Disarming Hezbollah in Lebanon
The debate in Lebanon over disarming Iran-backed Hezbollah is intensifying. The Lebanese government has approved a U.S. plan, through a cabinet decision, …
Research areas
Security
73 publications
Analysis
The Mullah Regime and Europe’s Dilemma
Three months after the war with Israel, Tehran projects an air of calm. The scars are visible—collapsed floors in the north, missile strikes downtown, a damaged …
Analysis
Growing up with America’s Longest War
Four years ago, the U.S. military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan on August 30, 2021, after a 20-year presence. It marked the end of America’s longest …
Analysis
Lebanon Once Again at a Crossroads
While debates were still underway in Beirut’s presidential palace over whether Hezbollah’s disarmament should even be on the agenda, the spokesperson of the …
Analysis
Islamism in the Gulf States: Between Reforms, Security Pressures, and Geopolitical Tensions
The Gulf states—key players in global geopolitics and energy security—find themselves walking a constant tightrope. On one hand, they pursue societal …
Studies
Iran’s Lost Influence in the Middle East – And Its Alternative
It appears that Iran has come to realize that its influence has significantly diminished in the Middle East. In the best-case scenarios, Tehran needs many years …
Analysis
Qatar and Iran: A Risky Relationship
It was one of the most unusual military attacks in recent history: Iran launched a dozen missiles at the Gulf state of Qatar—specifically targeting the U.S. air …
Analysis
Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Program: A Violation of International Law?
Following the massive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities—carried out with U.S. support for Israel—a longstanding legal debate has gained new urgency: Were …
Analysis
Ali Khamenei – From Follower to Absolute Ruler
For 36 years, Ali Khamenei has clung to power with an iron grip, keeping the Islamic Republic of Iran alive through repression and control. Not once in that …
Analysis
What is the fate of European influence in the Middle East?
Europe has long played a pivotal role in the modern history of the Middle East, particularly in carving it up into states and entities during the British and …
Analysis
Militias Hamper Libya’s Stability
Recurring clashes between armed groups in Libya repeatedly bring the issue of militias back to the forefront—an entrenched and chronic problem that continues to …
Analysis
EU Foreign Ministers Without a Clear Course – Divisions Over Israel Deepen
After a two-hour video conference on the escalating Middle East conflict, the verdict from the EU’s new foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was sobering: the main …