James M. Dorsey

The writer is an award-winning journalist and scholar, a senior fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and adjunct senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and the author of the syndicated column and blog, The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer.

French rioters and Palestinian gunmen send similar messages

At first, comparing Palestinian gunmen in the Israeli-occupied West Bank to rioting youth in France may resemble likening apples to pears.

The US lacks credibility, but all is not lost

A recent poll of Arab public opinion suggests US credibility has taken a hit, but all is not lost.

The geopolitical minefields of a Turkic world

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has blown new life into Turkey’s vision of a Turkic world that stretches from Anatolia to Xinjiang in northwestern China.

Indonesia’s G20 chairmanship: Balancing on a diplomatic tightrope

Indonesia’s geopolitical plate is piling up as the archipelago state prepares to host the G20 summit and associated gatherings in November, including the Religion 20 (R20), a high-level meeting of religious leaders, the first under the G20 auspices.

A heyday for the geopolitics of Eurasian transport

When Russia invaded Ukraine, it took itself off the map of Eurasian transport corridors linking China and Europe. At the same time, it breathed new life into moribund routes that would allow goods to travel across the Eurasian landmass without traversing Russia. It also opened the door to greater Russian connectivity with the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia.

Drones and transport could reshape Eurasian geopolitics

The US intelligence assertion that Iran was selling hundreds of combat drones to Russia signaled more than Iranian support for Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

With Al-Qaeda down but not out, killing Zawahiri is symbolic

US President Joe Biden was not wrong when he declared that “justice has been served” with the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman Zawahiri in a US drone strike.

Kazakhstan seeks closer ties to US and Europe

Eight years ago, Kazakh Shrugged off Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks suggesting he could pull a Ukraine on Kazakhstan. They did so again in January when Putin reiterated his denial of Kazakh nation and statehood while Russian troops massed on Ukraine’s border. Today, Kazakhs no longer discount Putin’s words.