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Ghaith al-Omari: 3 Things I'm Watching on the Future of the West Bank and Gaza

With developments moving rapidly in the West Bank and Gaza, here are three things Institute expert and former Palestinian peace negotiator Ghaith al-Omari is watching.

Learn more about Ghaith al-Omari.

A Saudi-Emirati Thaw Can Help Contain Iran

The Gulf needs a joint front on deterrence, engagement, and freedom of navigation.

Aug 3, 2026

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Allison Minor
April Longley Alley

Bridging the Verification Gap on PA Prisoner Payments

Amid mounting economic and security pressures in the West Bank, only a U.S.-led mechanism can credibly determine Palestinian compliance with the Taylor Force Act and help promote wider stability.

Aug 3, 2026

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David Makovsky
Nava Goldstein

How to Prevent Militias from Disrupting Iraqi-Saudi Relations

As the dust settles from new attacks in both countries, Baghdad will need U.S. support to make progress against Iran-backed militias while assuaging Riyadh’s security concerns.

Jul 30, 2026

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Michael Knights

The sun sets behind U.S. and Kuwaiti flags at Ali Al Salem AFB in Kuwait - source: Department of Defense

Kuwait and the Future of U.S. Power Projection

Given the country’s difficult experience during the Iran war, Washington should offer sustained political attention, practical assistance, and an expanded vision for the partnership’s future.

Jul 28, 2026

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Elizabeth Dent

What New U.S. Sanctions Mean for the Sudan Civil War

A determination that the Sudanese government used chemical weapons likely will not alter the military balance, but it does create a record that activists, human rights advocates, and any future civilian government can ultimately draw upon in pursuing accountability.

Jul 31, 2026

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Areig Elhag

Institute Expertise on Israel and the Palestinians

Dennis Ross

Ambassador Dennis Ross, the Institute's Counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow, played a leading role shaping U.S. Middle East policy in the George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and Obama administrations.

David Makovsky

The Institute's Siegler Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Project on Arab-Israel Relations, David Makovsky is a veteran journalist who served as senior advisor to the State Department's Special Envoy for Israel-Palestinian Relations.

Ghaith al-Omari

A former Palestinian Authority peace negotiator, Ghaith al-Omari is the Institute's Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow.

Dana Stroul

The Institute's Director of Research and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow, Dana Stroul was deputy assistant secretary of defense for Middle East policy during the Biden administration.

Interactive Map: Maritime Attacks in the MENA Region

Explore this new interactive tool to shed light on the actions of actors such as Iran and Yemen's Houthis that have threatened and attacked commercial shipping in the waters off the Middle East and North Africa.

Access the map.

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Interactive Maps

Screen shot of the Maritime Attacks in the MENA Region interactive map

Maritime Attacks in the MENA Region (Since 2017)

Shed light on the actions of actors such as Iran and Yemen's Houthis that have threatened and attacked commercial shipping in the waters off the Middle East and North Africa.

Screenshot of the Hezbollah External Operations Interactive Map

Lebanese Hezbollah Select Worldwide Activity

Access this interactive map to explore an open-source database of Hezbollah global operations and break through the terrorist organization's "Golden Rule" of secrecy.

Screenshot of the Islamic State Worldwide Activity interactive map

The Islamic State Select Worldwide Activity

Explore the most comprehensive public archive of Islamic State attack data, media output, government designations, and legal cases to understand the organization’s global reach,

Screenshot of the Iran External Operations interactive map

Iran External Operations 1979-present

Access this powerful interactive tool, which maps over forty-five years of Iranian clandestine operations around the globe.

Recently in Fikra Forum

A satellite map with political borders overlaid shows Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

After War, a Crackdown in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan Province

Recent crackdowns against Iran's Baloch minority over tensions around mining in the province suggest that the rift between the regime and many Baloch is deepening in the post-war period.

Jul 8, 2026

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Samand Muhammadshahi

Fikra Forum

The Iran War's Pressure on the Egyptian Pound: Fragile Stability and Expected Shocks

The Egyptian pound is weathering significant challenges to its stability as the Iran war continues to impact oil markets and Egypt's revenue streams, raising concerns about the longterm impact of continued conflict.

Jun 10, 2026

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Heba El Koudsy

Sanctions and Sudan’s Muslim Brotherhood: Decoupling Burhan from Sudan’s Islamists and Iran

Sanctioning Sudan's Muslim Brotherhood will likely have an impact on Burhan's approach to the group, but a true decoupling will

Apr 17, 2026

In Syria, an Amnesty Decree Without Justice?

The debates sparked by Decree No. 39 raise questions about how the country will bridge the troubling gaps between official

Apr 8, 2026

Arab Public Opinion 2014 to Today

Fikra Interactive Public Polling Platform Thumbnail

Maps & Graphics

TWI Interactive Polling Platform

Interactive datasets, from 2014 to today

Jun 30, 2022

In Focus: Iran

How to Prevent Militias from Disrupting Iraqi-Saudi Relations

As the dust settles from new attacks in both countries, Baghdad will need U.S. support to make progress against Iran-backed militias while assuaging Riyadh’s security concerns.

Jul 30, 2026

◆

Michael Knights

Kuwait and the Future of U.S. Power Projection

Given the country’s difficult experience during the Iran war, Washington should offer sustained political attention, practical assistance, and an expanded vision for the partnership’s future.

Jul 28, 2026

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Elizabeth Dent

A dignitary lies in state with an honor guard at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda - source: Architect of the Capitol

Lindsey Graham’s Last Gift to the U.S.-Israel Alliance

A White House meeting facilitated by the senator’s funeral could let Trump and Netanyahu avoid the appearance of a wartime

Jul 25, 2026

Screen grab showing an Iranian warehouse where Shahed-136 drone airframes are being assembled.

Changing Iran’s Coercive Calculus Requires More Than Massing U.S. Forces

Regardless of where the current round of escalation goes, Tehran will continue using ceasefires, front-loaded sanctions waivers, and tit-for-tat attack

Jul 24, 2026

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