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
Geneva II: If we get progress on humanitarian issues, it'll be worth it
While any talks between combatants should be seen as a positive move, the expectation of any substantive outcome at Geneva II is virtually zero.
Under intense pressure from its…
Syria: Is Assad the solution?
As Syria stumbles into its third year of conflict, President Assad continues to bank on his belief that the longer he remains in power, the more likely that the opposition will be…
Israeli West Bank settlements illegal? Julie Bishop not so sure
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has argued in an interview with the Times of Israel that the international community should avoid labeling Israeli settlements in the West Bank,…
India links: Election 2014, Manmohan Singh's legacy, Modi's foreign policy and more
Following the announcement that he will retire after the elections this year, what will Manmohan Singh's legacy look like?
Meanwhile, the Congress Party has hired a PR firm to…
AgustaWestland, corruption and India's procurement problems
India has no difficulty paying for its arms purchases. After all, three years ago it overtook China as the world's largest arms importer, a somewhat unenviable position (Delhi…
Israel-Palestine: Australia changes government, changes UN vote
The Abbott Government has, as predicted, changed some votes on recurring Israeli-Palestinian conflict resolutions at the UN General Assembly.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has…
Commentary
Brave new region? America's Mideast allies face U.S. withdrawal
Obama's modest new Middle East policy is costing the U.S. the trust of its allies while emboldening its adversaries, says Anthony Bubalo, Research Director at the Lowy…
The infectious disease threat in Syria
Last week the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed the presence of wild poliovirus type one (WPV1) in 10 children under two years old in Deir al-Zour province in the Syria's…
Analyses
Syria: how the West can play a weak hand better
This Lowy Institute Analysis examines the trajectory of the Syrian conflict in the wake of the Russian and US agreement to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons. It argues that…
Commentary
From Tyre to Tehran: Transnational Links Amongst Lebanese Shi'a Clerical Families
Rodger Shanahan, From Tyre to Tehran: Transnational Links Amongst Lebanese Shi'a Clerical Families. Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies, 2013 6 (3), pp 307-322 …