Middle-Eastern Security

Saudi Terrorism Trials And The Executions

By Lori Plotkin Boghardt

Life In Riyadh

The executions earlier this month followed an upsurge in convictions in the Specialized Criminal Court. On Tuesday, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri responded to Saudi Arabia’s execution of forty-seven people on terrorism charges by urging Saudis to overthrow their royal family. The January 2 executions continue to stir debate about why the death sentences were carried… Keep reading →

 /  Published January 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM

Turkey Calls for Safe Havens and No-Fly Zones in Syria: Five Things You Need to Know

By Soner Cagaptay & Andrew J. Tabler

Daily Life In Istanbul

Ankara’s security and political concerns may drive it to establish buffer zones unilaterally, while Washington’s hesitance could cost it a coalition. Since the armed phase of the rebellion against Bashar al-Assad began in summer 2011, Turkey has been intent on setting up safe havens and accompanying no-fly zones in northern Syria to protect areas held… Keep reading →

 /  Published October 16, 2014 at 10:30 AM