U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

After Assad: Navigating Syria Policy (Part 1)

The Institute’s managing director testified before a Senate panel on U.S. policy post-Assad, explaining how patience, pragmatism, and a willingness to lead can help Washington avoid its past vacillation between excessive intervention and exasperated neglect in the Middle East.

Feb 13, 2025

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

After Assad: Navigating Syria Policy (Part 2)

The Institute’s director of research testified before a Senate panel on U.S. policy post-Assad, explaining how Washington has another chance for impactful bipartisan action five years after the Syria Study Group.

Feb 13, 2025

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Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

How Trump, Arab Leaders, and Israel Can Close the Gaps on Gaza

Despite its risks for regional stability and U.S. policy, the president’s Gaza proposal has put this issue at the top of the priority list.

Feb 7, 2025

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

Video

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu Visits Washington: Implications for Regional Diplomacy and Security

Israeli and U.S. experts discuss the agenda for the prime minister’s latest U.S. trip and the regional fallout from President Trump’s highly controversial ideas on “relocating” Gaza’s population.

Feb 5, 2025

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Mira Resnick
Amos Harel
David Makovsky

A local resident walks in front of a sign promoting a USAID-funded project in Hebron - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Trump’s Foreign Assistance Review Prioritizes Funding Over Policy

Cutting aid programs is not inherently wrong—but making those cuts before assessing their specific impact on regional allies and American lives could be disastrous for U.S. policy in the Middle East.

Feb 5, 2025

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Ben Fishman

Trump and Erdogan images with U.S. and Turkish flag

In-Depth Reports

Building on Momentum in U.S.-Turkey Relations

The two leaders can use their personal rapport to solve bilateral and regional problems, but they will also face tough challenges in matters such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dealings with China.

Feb 5, 2025

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Soner Cagaptay

◆ Transition Notes 2025

Brief Analysis

From October 7 to the Gaza Ceasefire: A Changed Middle East Awaits the Trump Administration

Important strategic changes abound in the region, but policymakers should take care not to underestimate the persistence of old challenges or the potential emergence of new threats.

Jan 31, 2025

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Neomi Neumann

Cover for Iran Transition Note, with images of a pen with U.S. flag, a B-52 bomber, nuclear symbols, and Iranian flag + map.

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Policy Steps to Prevent a Nuclear Iran

Rather than choosing between diplomacy and military action, the Trump administration should think of these options as mutually supportive, sequencing its actions in hopes of achieving the best and least costly outcome.

Jan 28, 2025

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Michael Singh

◆ Transition Notes 2025

A Palestinian views a building reduced to rubble in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

What the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire in Gaza Means for the Middle East

Netanyahu likely wanted to start off on a good foot with Trump—not just out of fear, but because Israel has its eyes on a much wider allied agenda in the region.

Jan 17, 2025

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

How Trump Can Remake the Middle East

If he uses his major regional leverage to curtail the Iranian nuclear threat and end the Gaza war, he will be well-placed to resume other important tasks that have been sitting on the back burner—including Israeli-Saudi normalization.

Jan 16, 2025

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Replacing UNRWA Is an Opportunity Trump Should Not Miss

The incoming U.S. administration has no intention of strong-arming Israel into working with such a problematic organization, so officials should focus on pressing other UN agencies to take on its job in Gaza—or risk cuts to their own funding.

Jan 15, 2025

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

The Current and Future Houthi Threat to the Middle East

An effective response to the group's persistent aggression should include strengthening the United Nations verification and inspection mechanism, preparing sanctions against actors who violate UN resolutions, and taking steps to interdict arms transfers.

Dec 29, 2024

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Michael Knights

Syrian rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolana speaks on the phone during the campaign to take Damascus in December 2024 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Washington Returns to Damascus with High Stakes for Syria’s Transition

The delegation’s findings on key political and security issues will have a major impact on future U.S. engagement with Syria’s new leaders, including the decision on whether or not to remove sanctions.

Dec 20, 2024

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Will Stability Rise from the Middle East Rubble?

Though it may seem counterintuitive, the Middle East stands a decent chance of becoming more stable in the coming year if Trump takes advantage of Iran’s weakness to broker good deals.

Dec 16, 2024

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Dennis Ross

An Israeli border guard secures the gate at a crossing with Lebanon in 2007 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The Lebanon Ceasefire: Managing Israeli Public Expectations and U.S. Coordination

In addition to assuaging public fears about the agreement, officials will need to reach a shared understanding with Washington about how to enforce its terms and respond to Hezbollah violations.

Dec 5, 2024

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David Makovsky

Photo showing smoke clearing from Beirut during the 2024 Hezbollah-Israel war.

Video

Brief Analysis

The Hezbollah-Israel Ceasefire and U.S. Leadership: What Comes Next

Four experts discuss the agreement’s detailed security provisions, the prospects for successful implementation, and the potential impact on other regional players.

Dec 4, 2024

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David Schenker
Hanin Ghaddar
Assaf Orion
Matthew Levitt

Book cover with Iranian missiles, including Shahab-3

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

If Iran Gets the Bomb:

Weapons, Force Posture, Strategy

The decision would require tradeoffs affecting the security, survivability, and military credibility of Tehran's nascent arsenal.

Nov 25, 2024

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

How the B-2 Can Help Reinforce U.S. Messaging to Iran

Amid serious escalation in the Middle East, the United States should more clearly frame its recent deployment of B-2 and B-52 bombers to the region as a warning to Iran—and reinforce this with more posturing, messaging, and accelerated deployment of deep penetrators.

Nov 21, 2024

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Farzin Nadimi
James E. Shepard

Yezidi women and children at a refugee camp in Iraq - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Addressing Entities of Particular Concern: Non-State Actors and Egregious Violations of Religious Freedom

A terrorism expert assesses how Washington and its partners can best counter—and in some cases engage—jihadist actors in Afghanistan and the Sahel amid growing limitations on U.S. influence in such locales.

Nov 19, 2024

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Semiconductor image over map of UAE with U.S. Capitol dome

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Semiconductors, AI, and the Gulf:

Policy Considerations for the United States

In seeking to bolster partnerships and simultaneously protect U.S. technology, officials will need to navigate export options ranging from permissive to restrictive.

Nov 18, 2024

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Elizabeth Dent
Grant Rumley

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.

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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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