The Gulf Crisis in Lebanon: Head in the sand Article The attention of the entire Middle East and Gulf region is focussed on Iran. Only in Lebanon there appears to be a lack of interest in the conflict. Joachim Paul
Foreign policy as a balancing act Article Russia’s policy in the Middle East is geared strictly to the country’s interests: to fulfil its role as a major power, stabilise the region and minimise every risk as much as possible. This offers opportunities Johannes Voswinkel
America’s Iran Policy: Between War-Weariness and Military Escalation Article Donald Trump is caught in a deadlock of his own making. He does not want to find himself responsible for a new war in the Middle East right in the middle of an election campaign. At the same time, he wants to look like a tough guy who never backtracks. This is what is making the situation so unpredictable. Bastian Hermisson
Brothers in Spirit? Trump, Netanyahu and the Conflict with Iran Article The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is supporting and encouraging Trump’s confrontational stance towards Iran. However, a military escalation would be extremely dangerous for Israel. Steffen Hagemann
Nerves on edge Article The escalating nuclear conflict between Iran and the United States is making life harder for Irans population. In particular, the emergence of a middle class is under threat. Omid Nouripour
The EU’s role in the conflict between Iran and the USA: de-escalation! Article The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs has appealed to the US and Iran to avoid escalation in the Persian Gulf region. The EU must continue to do everything within its power to save the nuclear deal. Eva van de Rakt, Anna Schwarz
