Programs & Projects
The West Asia Program
The West Asia program provides original research on developments in the Middle East and Central and Southwest Asia, including as they impact on Australia. Central research issues include relations between West Asia and East Asia, the Arab uprisings and geo-political change in the Middle East and Australia’s relations with the Gulf.
Experts
Latest publications
News and media
Commentary
One type doesn’t match all Muslims
This piece was originally published in The Australian.Anthony Bubalo
Reports
Indonesian students in Egypt and Turkey
In this Lowy Institute Report, Lowy Institute Deputy Director, Anthony Bubalo, together with Sidney Jones and Nava Nuraniyah from the Institute for Policy Analysis of…
The Middle East in 2016 (part 5): Cultivating order
Part 1 of this seven-part series is here; part 2 here; part 3 here: and part 4 here.
In February 2014 I visited Za'atari refugee camp in Jordan, near the Syrian border. According…
The Middle East in 2016 (part 2): The old order will continue to decay
Part 1 of this seven-part series is here.
One of the enduring myths of the Arab uprisings is that it was primarily a brave, noble but ultimately vain attempt by young liberals to…
The Middle East in 2016 (part 1): Levantine limbo
This is the first post in a series of seven on the Middle East in 2016. The first three will look at what I think will happen in the region this year; the second three will…
Iran election: A vote of confidence in President Rouhani
Results from Iranian parliamentary and assembly elections held over the weekend have not yet been finalised, however what we know so far is encouraging.
First of all, turnout is…
Analyses
Islamic State propaganda and the mainstream media
In this Lowy Institute Analysis, Lauren Williams examines Islamic State’s use of the Western media to disseminate its propaganda. Williams argues mainstream media outlets have a…
Big challenges ahead for Taiwan's President-elect Tsai Ing-Wen
A few days before the Taiwanese election, Chou Tzuyu, a 16-year-old Taiwanese performer was forced into a humiliating mea culpa on camera, apologising for the 'crime' of waving…
Syria: The gift that keeps on giving
The official announcement today that the government would refuse a US request for additional assets to be deployed in the Middle East against Islamic State came as little surprise…
Commentary
Saudi royals send a message
Saudi royals send a messageRodger ShanahanThe Australian8 January 2016Rodger Shanahan