MDC Research and Analysis

MDC Director Prof. Uzi Rabi and Ben Mendales examine the transformative effects that the Islamic State has had on the region, primarily through their doctrine of ‘kasr al-hudud’ [shattering the borders].

Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak examines the achievement of the largely Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in the recent elections and its key role in the failure of the AKP.

Carl Yonker analyzes the Islamic State (ISIS / ISIL) success in Iraq and the concomitant furor on social media, including a campaign calling for the resignation of Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi.

Raz Zimmt examines the discourse on social media around Operation Karbala, following the repatriation of the bodies of 175 Iranian divers killed in the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq War.

MDC Senior Researcher Prof. Ofra Bengio argues that the imminent Turkish elections will likely decide whether Turkey remains democratic or veers towards an authoritarian system.

In this edition of Iqtisadi: Middle East Economy, Dr. Paul Rivlin examines the interface between economic issues and politics in today's Turkey.

Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak deals with the Turkish government’s use of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli to divert the world’s attention from the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

Michael Barak discusses the protest movement in the Gaza strip that moved from social networks into the street.

Raz Zimmt examines Iranian social attitudes towards animal rights as seen in the recent uproar on social media over the killing of stray dogs.