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This article begins by illuminating the regional democracy assistance cuts that are dropping from $459.2 million to $298.3 million It explains that the Bush Administration began the quest for democracy in the Middle East, and the Obama administration has only continued in his footsteps. The author presents the viewpoint that the U.S. approach to Arab democratization has been in the form of "ad-hoc crisis management" rather than "large scale reform initiatives." Promoting democracy in the form of democratic politics are insufficient, elections and political parties have consistently proved to weather away and fester further civil strife. Consequently, the article proposes a new approach to the region conflict. This approach calls for "systematic reforms" focusing on basic institutions such as the civil service sector, justice and law enforcement, and the military's role in governance. The idea is that addressing these lacking departments in the arab world will eventually pave the way to a smoother democratic transition. 

Cyberattack plan against Iran if the nuclear deal fell through has in been the works since the Bush Administration. Implemented into Obama Administration in 2009, showcased how concered U.S. was about deal falling through.

Both the current Egyptian authorities and the Muslim Brotherhood have failed to attract the support of the youth, while women participated in the recent referendum to support stability. The youth see the remnants of Mubarak's administration through the government structure. The revolution wouldn't be important without changes to the government. Many political groups are trying to coax the youth to being on "their side," and meanwhile, the Egyptian youth are struggling to find any positives. Gaining the vote of the youth generally means a win or loss for the politicians.

Both the current Egyptian authorities and the Muslim Brotherhood have failed to attract the support of the youth, while women participated in the recent referendum to support stability. The youth see the remnants of Mubarak's administration through the government structure. The revolution wouldn't be important without changes to the government. Many political groups are trying to coax the youth to being on "their side," and meanwhile, the Egyptian youth are struggling to find any positives. Gaining the vote of the youth generally means a win or loss for the politicians.

After much debate, Iran is being given the opportunity to rewrite the nuclear deal. This is going to have a major effect on the relationship the United States has with its allies.

Claims that the Iran nuclear deal is really bad for the United States and future presidents guarantee to end the deal after the Obama Administration. Israel and other countries around Iran say it is more dangerous than ever.

Iran claims the United States did not follow through on the nuclear deal and has created more difficulties for Iran in regards to their relations with other countries. Iran also worries that the administration following Obama will not uphold previous commitments. Iran does acknowledge that the deal has benefitted their relationship with the U.S. because they now have ample opportunity to talk about these issues which has not been done in previous decades.

This essay, by Abdul Quader Shaikh, is published by the U.S. International Trade Administration and outlines a brief history of free trade agreements between the U.S. and the Middle East.

This U.S. government report examines OPEC's role in setting global oil prices. Specifically, the report documents the effect of OPEC's "spare capacity" on oil prices. The report suggests that OPEC uses its spare capacity to manage oil prices on the global market.

In August of 2014, the Obama administration announced the completion of destruction of Syrian chemical weapon stockpile was destroyed. The stockpile was aboard a Danish cargo ship and held some of the worlds most dangerous weapons.

Working with the Iranian, Russian and Syrian regimes to address Middle Eastern problems and fight ISIS is a sure way to alienate Middle Eastern moderates.

Oct. 22. As the Egyptian government's crackdown on dissent broadened over the last year, university campuses have increasingly been in the crosshairs as one of the last remaining spaces for dissent. Despite efforts to quell political activity on college campuses, there have been at least 58 protests on college campuses since the first week of classes at the beginning of October. As campuses like Cairo University crack down on security and bans on political activity, Egyptian authorities are also attempting to control the activities of the youth. Sisi reinstated the law of appointing university presidents. The administration knows its weakness is the youth population, since all its support comes from the older generation of Egyptians. However, although he acknowledges there grievances, he basically tells them to stay out of the politics that should be reserved for the older generation. By taking this tone with the Egyptian youth, Sisi risks alienating the population and pushing them to join back in alliances between secular and religous groups.

Israeli media reports that Obama administration would cease providing Israel with updates on the West's negotiations with Iran.

Super helpful link! This website answers many basic as well more in depth questions regarding the chemical weapons in Syria. The questions include but are not limited to the following: what are chemical weapons? Why are chemical weapons so dangerous? Who possesses/has used chemical weapons? How did Bashar al-Assad get them? And what would happen to the weapons stockpiles if the Syrian government collapsed? What is the Obama Administration Proposing?

The Obama administration says there is little doubt that President Bashar Assad's regime is to blame for last week's reported attack, but there has been research into the possibility of the rebels using chemical weapons. It is possible but not likely. If the rebels were to use chemical weapons they would not use it in an area with such little soldier population. additionally it is the regime that has the controlled stockpiles of chemical weapons, not the rebels.

Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday delivered a fiery response to reports that the Assad regime used chlorine gas as part of an attack this week. The Obama administration is backing the Syrian opposition against Assad regime but has not made plans to take direct action.

Highlights the change in Iran's nuclear program over the past decade. Although there was concern over national security in the 1970s, the Obama administration along with many other countries fear that Tehran's goals are not peaceful.

The U.K. government accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of being sympathetic to terrorists and a risk to British national security. They accuse the United States of not waking up to the reality of their threat. They state that the Brotherhood has been affiliated with Hamas, and even though they criticized al Qaeda's 9/11 attack, many state that 9/11 was actually fabricated by the US, which raises a concern for Britain.

The Obama administration continued cyber warfare initiatives against Iran, originally developed by the Bush administration. The cyber-weapon, dubbed Stuxnet, was co-developed by America and Israel in efforts to thwart Iranian nuclear plans. Although initially effective in its goal to confuse Iran, the cyber weapon has only created a cyber warfare in which Iran learned from the attack and has launched its own cyber weapon.

The UN is expecting the nearing peace talks to be more successful than previous attempts. They will largely focus on forming an administration and elections for the transitional period.