U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Jewish Settlement East of Israel's Security Barrier and How to Avert the Slide to a One-State Outcome

Communities outside the West Bank security barrier constitute an obstacle to a future two-state solution and a potential source of friction between Washington and Jerusalem.

Apr 26, 2022

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David Makovsky

An Israeli security officer stands guard at the scene of a terrorist shooting in Tel Aviv, March 2022.

Articles & Testimony

A Badly Needed New Approach to Quelling the Violence

A U.S.-Israel attempt to compel Qatar, the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to end terrorist attacks against Israelis could ultimately help reset dynamics, even if such a move generates a costly short-term backlash.

Apr 25, 2022

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Ehud Yaari

Articles & Testimony

Why Arab Allies Don’t Trust the U.S. on Ukraine

“This will not stand,” the president said after Iraq invaded Kuwait, but no such fortitude has been evident in response to Iran’s continued aggression.

Apr 9, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

West’s Weakness Led Putin into Ukraine—and Other Enemies Are Looking for Similar Signs

Moscow has provided a wake-up call about how actors like Iran interpret habitual demonstrations of U.S. inaction.

Apr 8, 2022

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

There’s a Better Way to Sell American Weapons

The United States should use enticements as well as sanctions to deter friends from buying Russian arms.

Mar 29, 2022

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Grant Rumley
David Schenker

Israeli and Arab foreign ministers, along with U.S. Secretary of State Blinken, at the Negev Summit - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

A New Regional Role for Israel, as Washington Shows Signs of Stepping Back

By participating in the Negev Summit, Arab states are signaling their appreciation for Israel’s status as both a local power and a unique interlocutor with the United States.

Mar 28, 2022

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David Makovsky

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Hezbollah in Colombia

Past and Present Modus Operandi and the Need for Greater Scrutiny

A probe of the group’s commercial activities can yield insights on its Latin American operations, which in recent years have touched not only Colombia but also Peru, Chile, and Bolivia.

Mar 28, 2022

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Aurora Ortega

Brief Analysis

U.S. Public Diplomacy in Iran: Cutting Costs, Improving Impact

A more effective (and cost-effective) approach would give Iranians the tools they need to bypass regime monitoring, pare down low-impact television programming, and emphasize popular mobile apps.

Mar 21, 2022

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Arash Aalaei
Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Don’t Drop Iran’s Revolutionary Guards from FTO List

On paper, removing the IRGC from just one of several U.S. designation lists would have few if any legal implications—but it's still a terrible idea.

Mar 21, 2022

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Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

How Much Would Iran Gain Financially from Returning to the JCPOA?

A closer look at what funds would actually be accessible and what impact they would have on Iran’s economy.

Mar 16, 2022

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Katherine Bauer
Patrick Clawson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Worldwide Water Crises: Israeli Innovations Can Help

The country’s cost-saving advances in drip irrigation, desalination, and water-from-air tech are already helping scores of countries address growing shortages.

Mar 11, 2022

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Shaina Katz

◆ Asset Test

Illustration of chess pieces and the Russian and Ukrainian flags - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

How Will the Ukraine Crisis Affect Middle East Policy?

Three experts discuss whether the war might alter Washington’s calculus on rapprochement with Turkey, regional military deployments, and wider great power competition.

Mar 10, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Soner Cagaptay
Grant Rumley

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in 2018 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Putin’s War Has Middle Eastern Countries Hedging Their Bets

Facing greater regional demands and limited resources, Washington will have to be more judicious in its obligations and more consistent in following through, lest its assurances fail to assure.

Mar 4, 2022

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David Schenker

Photo showing the image of a masked nurse projected onto Iran's Azadi Monument.

Video

Brief Analysis

COVID in the Middle East: Assessment on the Eve of Year Three

Leading public health experts take stock of the pandemic's regional outlook, discussing which approaches have been most effective in different jurisdictions while acknowledging the persistent limits of COVID data.

Mar 3, 2022

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Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis
Abraham Flaxman
Dr. Kamiar Alaei

Photo illustration of Russian Ruble banknotes with Chinese and Russian flags - Source:TWI/Reuters

Brief Analysis

A China-Russia SWIFT Alternative Will Not Undermine Iran Sanctions

There is no realistic prospect that Beijing and Moscow will establish a viable joint system that imminently and significantly reduces Tehran’s difficulties with accessing the international financial system.

Feb 25, 2022

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Steven Terner

In-Depth Reports

Three Presidents, Three Flawed Iran Policies, and the Path Ahead

News reports of a nearing breakthrough in the Iran nuclear talks will trigger sighs of relief, but the deal will likely prove disappointing on many fronts.

Feb 25, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Video

Brief Analysis

Targeting the Islamic State: Jihadist Military Threats and the U.S. Response

Two scholars of jihadism assess the group's evolving approaches to conventional and insurgent warfare, and U.S. options for combating them.

Feb 22, 2022

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Ido Levy
Craig Whiteside

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Axis of Abraham: Arab-Israeli Normalization Could Remake the Middle East

The accords may point to a future in which the United States can do less in the region—but to get there, Washington must first do more.

March-April 2022

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

A Goldilocks Approach to Sanctioning Yemen’s Houthis

Although the group undoubtedly merits FTO designation, issuing targeted sanctions with broader UN buy-in may achieve better results without the humanitarian complications.

Feb 18, 2022

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Katherine Bauer

Articles & Testimony

Israel’s New Strategy: Why a Post-American Middle East Means a Greater Role in Regional Security

In strategic terms, at least, the United States is increasingly shifting its attention to Asia, but this may represent an opportunity for Israel as much as a challenge.

Feb 18, 2022

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Amos Yadlin
Assaf Orion

Supported by the

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East focuses on the region as a setting for heightened competition between the United States and other world powers, such as China and Russia.

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Featured experts

Robert Satloff

Robert Satloff is the Segal Executive Director of The Washington Institute, a post he assumed in January 1993.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Regions & Countries

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U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

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Featured experts