Policy Memo

In this week's Monday Briefing, MEI experts Yousef Munayyer, Alex Vatanka, Jonathan M. Winer, and Marvin G. Weinbaum provide analysis on recent and upcoming events including President Trump's trip to Israel and the prospects for a peace process, the reelection of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Russia's planned naval drill off the coast of Libya this week, and the Afghan Taliban's decision to reject peace talks.

Al-Qaeda’s central leadership is growing increasingly exasperated at its former Syrian affiliate and is now actively seeking to build a rival movement more loyal to al-Qaeda’s transnational brand and strategic vision.

The three questions that need to be answered to clear up the murky relationship between Iran and the Taliban are: why the change in Iran’s policy; when did this policy change occur; and what is the level of support afforded to the Taliban?

To prevent the Turkey-U.S. alliance from sliding into the abyss, Trump has to offer Erdogan something. He might not accommodate Turkey’s demands on the Y.P.G., Fethullah Gulen or Reza Zarrab, but there are things that he can do to mitigate some of Ankara’s concerns.