All Policy Analysis by Dennis Ross

Trump says Syria is a “mess” that America should leave alone, but that would be far more dangerous than staying.

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.

The Lebanon deal shows how Washington and Israel can use their newly gained leverage to resolve the Palestinian crisis.

The Biden White House brokered the deal, but Trump’s return is significantly influencing Binyamin Netanyahu’s actions.

A look at how his new administration might combine old and new policies to tamp down the past year of war and address other threats.

The long-elusive terrorist was known for brutality to Israelis and Gazans alike, and his passing opens the door to diplomatic, economic, and political progress.

The massive losses suffered by two key members of Iran’s “axis of resistance” create an opening to transform more than just Gaza and Lebanon.

Three former U.S. officials discuss the challenges—and opportunities—that will greet the next administration in year two of the post-October 7 era.

Netanyahu must translate Israel’s military achievements in Lebanon into political outcomes while also preventing far-right nationalists in his coalition from defining what is possible with the Palestinians.

Iran’s leaders are playing a long game; Israel’s leaders are not.

Israeli and Lebanese experts join two former U.S. officials to discuss what each party was thinking before, during, and after this weekend’s exchange of strikes—and whether war in the north has become inevitable regardless of near-term de-escalation.

Reaching a Gaza ceasefire and Israeli-Saudi normalization deal will require intense, well-coordinated diplomatic efforts in a condensed timeline, but the administration can do it with help from the “Arab Quint.”

Four Washington Institute experts assess Israel’s calculus behind launching such high-profile attacks at this juncture, the likely effects on the Gaza hostage talks, Iran’s possible need for a face-saving military response, and more.

After spending decades working for a breakthrough, he was never naive about the rejectionists on both sides, but he still had faith in a two-state solution.

Three veteran diplomats discuss the context and policy content of the prime minister’s visit amid tumult at home and in Washington.

If Netanyahu’s definition of victory is too broad, Biden’s is too narrow—Gaza must be measurably and permanently demilitarized.

Doing so could turn the tables on Hamas and Iran while simultaneously advancing normalization with Saudi Arabia and other regional governments.

Netanyahu's “total victory” is not possible, but demilitarizing Hamas and stabilizing Gaza still are, especially with help from Egypt and other key players.

For opportunity to emerge from tragedy, two bridges must be built: one leading from the current situation to the “day after” the war, and a second creating a viable path to a Palestinian state.

President Biden’s popularity with the Israeli public gives him leverage, but placing conditions on U.S. aid would likely backfire.