Julien Barnes-Dacey

France’s deepening relations with the Gulf

France has growing strategic relevance in the Gulf region, but its new proximity is dependent on increasingly unconditional support for Gulf regional policies

Europe desperately seeking answers on Iraq

While the crisis in Iraq deepens, Europe has been slow to react – reluctant to be drawn into another quagmire in the region. 

To fix Iraq, don’t lose sight of Syria

A fundamental ingredient is still missing in shaping a coherent – though challenging – strategy for targeting IS in Iraq

Fighting the Islamic State in Iraq

With Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki resisting calls to step down, US military strikes risk having little effect in combatting the Islamic State (IS)

Syria and Iraq: One conflict or two?

Recent weeks have highlighted more clearly than ever the growing symbiosis between the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.