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Competing Shiite Islamist Militias Dominate, Destabilize Iraq
December 03, 2018
The fragile Iraqi state is under renewed threat by the competition among a multitude of Shiite militias, many of whom have deep ties to Iran and most of which do not submit to Baghdad's control, meaning reconciliation may require the conflict-resolution and negotiation skills of a leading Shiite clergyman who has good relations with both Baghdad and Tehran.
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Saudi Arabia Shows Signs of Growing Instability
December 03, 2018
Some experts are pointing to growing signs of instability in the Islamist theocracy of Saudi Arabia, from the mixed results of the domestic liberalization and reform efforts promoted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the financial drain and humanitarian disaster of the war in Yemen.
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Turkey Hosts OIC Youth Media Camp
December 03, 2018
The launch in Turkey of an international media camp for youth from member-states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) shows Turkey’s leadership in regional and global OIC efforts to promote media-engagement skills for Muslim youth to discuss Palestinian-Israeli issues and other OIC priorities.
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Brazilian Police Arrest Hezbollah Financial Operative
December 03, 2018
The arrest by the Brazilian police of a leading financial operative of the Lebanese Shiite Islamist group Hezbollah on charges of identity theft and money laundering has thrown into sharp relief the transnational activities of Islamist extremist organizations in the Western Hemisphere.
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Al-Azhar Muddles Rebranding Efforts with Mixed Messages
December 03, 2018
Despite publicized stances by al-Azhar University’s leadership against sexual harassment and in favor of dialogue on “women's issues,” the institution has sent mixed messages about the Islamic State and continues to endorse the Islamic practice of verbal divorce that discriminates against women on inheritance and child-custody rights.