Middle East & North Africa

Strategic Insights: After the Smoke Clears in Syria: Dilemmas for U.S. Strategy Remain Dr Christopher J Bolan Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press

Strategic Insights: The Assad Regime and Chemical Weapons Dr Robert J Bunker Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press

Can Egypt Lead the Arab World Again? Assessing Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Policy Mr Gregory Aftandilian Monograph by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "This monograph’s research, completed in August 2016, analyzes the potential for Egypt to resume an Arab leadership role that has been in abeyance for several years because of its turbulent domestic scene. The monograph also assesses whether or not such a role would be beneficial for U.S. policy. Although there has been a change in U.S. leadership since then, the situation in Egypt has remained the same."

The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy Mr Keir Giles Letort Paper by US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "This Letort Paper examines the background to Russia’s use of military force in Ukraine in 2014 and Syria in 2015, and investigates the roots of Russia’s new assertiveness and willingness to resort to direct military action to resolve foreign policy challenges. This Letort Paper identifies two long-standing trends that led to this increased willingness: first, a greater and more urgent perception of threat, whether real or imagined, to Russia’s own security; and second, a recognition that Russia itself had regained sufficient strength, military and otherwise, to assert itself and counter this threat."

Strategic Insights: Strategic Questions Loom Large for President Trump in the Middle East LTC Anthony Abbott, Mr Kenneth Michael Absher, COL Gregory A Adams, Dr Christopher J Bolan Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press

Strategic Insights: Reimagining U.S. Foreign Assistance in the Middle East Dr Christopher J Bolan Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press

Past is Prologue: Abroad in Syria with the Ghosts of Iraq Dr David Alpher PKSOI Paper by US Army War College, Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute "This paper presents a framework that planners can use to speed the planning process and improve traction. R&S contexts require the ability to function at a high level within conditions of ambiguity, violence and chaos. Using past lessons as principles rather than fixed points on a checklist speeds implementation and guides efforts from a stronger and more flexible starting point. As governance reform is a core thrust within US intervention frameworks, this document argues for improving future operations through a paradigm shift away from top-down R&S interventions."

Strategic Insights: Syria Safe Zones Dr Azeem Ibrahim Article by the US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press

The Quest for Military Cooperation in North Africa: Prospects and Challenges Dr Mohammed El-Katiri Letort Paper by US Army War College, Strategic Studies Institute, US Army War College Press "In the aftermath of the ousting of dictatorial regimes in 2011, the fragile political and security situations in Tunisia and Libya have contributed to the emergence of new threats that menace the stability of both countries and of their neighbors. Severe terrorist incidents have become frequent throughout the region. To name but one incident, the borders that Algeria shares with those two countries exposed it to a major terrorist attack on the Tiguentourine gas facility in January 2013."