This Week: Russia's Role in the Syrian Civil War, Reforming Saudi Arabia, and More

February 23, 2018

Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army fighters walk as the sun sets in Eastern Afrin countryside, Syria, February 6, 2018. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi - RC1E12B5E3F0

Russia stumbles in the fog of Syrian war

As the Syrian civil war enters its seventh year, Pavel Baev argues that recent developments have diminished Russia's ability to manage the complicated conflict. Meanwhile, Itamar Rabinovich highlights some of the historical parallels between the current conflict and earlier struggles for control over Syria.

Read Baev's post | Read Rabinovich's post

People walk past Russian S-400 missile air defence systems before the military parade to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the battle of Stalingrad in World War Two, in the city of Volgograd, Russia February 2, 2018. REUTERS/Tatyana Maleyeva - UP1EE220SDJ25

Another arms race? No and nyet

Maggie Tennis and Strobe Talbott

Maggie Tennis and Strobe Talbott write that President Trump is not doing enough to defend U.S.-Russia arms control agreements, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty and the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START).

A ship loaded with container boxes is seen at a port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China October 13, 2017. REUTERS/Stringer CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA - RC12D3F4CF80

Time to rethink US trade strategy in Asia

Ryan Hass

Ryan Hass says that the Trump administration is pursuing a self-defeating trade policy in Asia and urges the White House to change course.

“	The Kremlin, heavily staffed by former KGB and FSB intelligence officers, has adapted its old ‘chaos strategy’ for the digital age. And cyber-fueled political warfare is cheaper, more efficient, and far more difficult to contain.” February 21, 2018 \| Alina Polyakova, Axios

REGIONAL AND TOPIC UPDATES

Middle East

Reforming Saudi Arabia. Adel Abdel Ghafar says that Saudi Arabia is embarking on its greatest transformation since the country's founding in 1932. He explains the ongoing reforms related to “Vision 2030” and their potential impact on the kingdom.

Iranian proxies in Iraq. If left untouched, Iran’s proxy militias in Iraq will continue exacerbating sectarian tensions that could very well enable the resurgence of ISIS, writes Ranj Alaaldin.

Israel and Hezbollah. Mara Karlin contends that recent events and rising tensions in the Middle East mean that a renewed Israel-Hezbollah conflict is a near certainty.

India and Middle East peace. In the wake of the backlash against President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, Kadira Pethiyagoda argues that a rising power like India should play a larger role in building peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

International affairs and security

Cuban economic reform. In a new paper, Richard Feinberg explains how Cuba can reform its economy and accelerate economic development by focusing on areas such as tourism, energy, agriculture, and foreign investment.

Ukrainian revolution anniversary. Four years after former Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych fled office, Steven Pifer examines Ukraine's current circumstances, including Kyiv’s need to push back against Russian threats and enact domestic reforms.

The rise of anti-liberalism. Shadi Hamid discusses the apparent growth of anti-liberalism in the context of religion and politics, particularly in the United States and Europe.

Building military partners. In an episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast, Mara Karlin talks about her new book, "Building Militaries in Fragile States: Challenges for the United States."

Upcoming event

Trump’s trade policy in Asia: A one-year review
Wednesday, February 28 at 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM EST

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