Middle East and North Africa

With the Russian-backed Syrian regime effectively winning the war against the opposition and Russia now calling the shots between Turkey and the SDF, it is fair to say that Putin is emerging as the metaphorical Tsar of Syria.

Despite ethno-sectarian differences and a confessional system still being present in Iraq, there appears to be a trend of increasingly foreign policy-based fissures in the country – something which is only likely to further complicate the Iraq’s future.

The agreement that has now been reached should avert a deployment of the Turkish military for the time being. But the statement is so vaguely worded that the agreement could be overturned by one side or the other at any time.

With Turkey going against US and western policy in Syria, alongside continuing to pivot towards Russia, it may be time to punish them and kick them out of NATO.

While the US is focussed on pushing back Iran, it does not want to carry the costs of such a mission all by itself.

Mohammed Bin Salman is demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s intention to create a strategic counterweight to its ties with western partners.

Key economic indicators could suggest that there is nothing to worry about for King Mohammed VI. and decision-makers across the country. But these neglect the ongoing direct and indirect security threats the kingdom has to deal with.

Optimistically, there is a chance that 2018 will be studied in the future as a positive watershed in nuclear proliferation and diplomacy. However, there is an equal chance that 2018 will be hallmarked by errors and nuclear instability.

Rather than simply being name changes, the appointments of Mike Pompeo, John Bolton and Gina Haspel may signal the beginnings of a shift in White House foreign policy stance.

Muslims in the Balkans have traditionally been and continue to be moderate, and post-war extremism in the region has yet to translate itself into widespread domestic violence. Nevertheless, ISIS has had some success in recruiting fighters for the wars in Syria and Iraq from the region.