Most recent articles by Volker Perthes
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E3, Russia and ChinaSolving the nuclear deal stalemate with Iran
The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran is in jeopardy. European governments should use the JCPOA’s dispute-resolution mechanism both to pursue immediate measures to de-escalate regional tensions and to explore a follow-up agreement – or an alternative, should the current deal collapse. By Volker Perthes
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Maximum pressure and asymmetrical tacticsDangerous shifts in the U.S.-Iranian stand-off
As the United States and Iran face off in the Persian Gulf, their asymmetric conflict risks spiralling out of control. Unless the rest of the world gets involved, the dangerous game both countries are playing could end in direct confrontation. Analysis by Volker Perthes
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Rescuing the nuclear deal with IranEurope should negotiate without the U.S.
After Donald Trumpʹs breach of the nuclear agreement with Iran, Germany, France and Great Britain should negotiate a comprehensive security framework with Iran based on the existing agreement, says Volker Perthes
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After the nuclear agreement with IranWhere to from here?
The nuclear deal with Iran is being celebrated both in the Middle East and in the West. It has, however, many critics too. Whether the hotly anticipated agreement will have a positive or a negative effect on the region, depends on political dynamics within Iran, says Volker Perthes, who outlines two possible scenarios
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The geopolitical situation in the Middle EastBetween terror and the dissolution of order
Indifferent superpowers and old rivalries: the megatrend in today's Middle East is the dissolution of a regional order. An analysis by Volker Perthes
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Islamic State (IS)A totalitarian, expansive and hegemonic project
Are we underestimating the scope of Islamic State (IS) by referring to it as a "terrorist militia"? IS raises taxes, recruits soldiers, pays officials and is keeping oil wells in operation. According to Volker Perthes, it would be more accurate to call it a jihadist nation-building project
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Syria and the Middle EastThe End of the Sykes Picot System?
Aside from the human suffering caused by Syria's ongoing war, we should be aware of the potentially dire regional consequences of Syria's disintegration: It would call the entire post-World War I Middle Eastern state system into question. By Volker Perthes
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The Aftermath of the Arab SpringThe Changing Map of Middle East Power
The eruption of the Arab revolts put power relations among Middle Eastern countries in a state of flux, and both winners and losers have emerged. But, given that the strengths and weaknesses of most of the actors are highly contingent, the regional balance of power remains highly fluid. By Volker Perthes
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Power Struggle in EgyptCourting Disaster
The growing gulf between Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi and the secular opposition threatens to tear the country apart with unforeseeable consequences for Egypt's economy and political future. A commentary by Volker Perthes
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The Opposition in SyriaThe Least Common Denominator
Syrian oppositionists must recognize that the lack of decisive international action is not only the result of Russia and China vetoing any meaningful action in the Security Council, or NATO countries' unwillingness to enter into another war in the region. A commentary by Volker Perthes
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Twelve Months after the Start of the Arab SpringYear Two of the Rebellions
According to Middle East expert Volker Perthes, the phrase "Arab Spring" is misleading because the Arab World is only at the start of what will be a prolonged period of change. Perthes identifies four factors that will have a major influence on how things develop in the region
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Uprising against the Assad Regime in SyriaWhat Support for the Protest Movement?
If the creeping massacre of the Syrian population is to be stopped, now is the time to send out an unambiguous message, warns Volker Perthes, expert on the Near East and director of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs