Policy Analysis

Since last summer the Obama administration has been missing in action as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, or ISIS, conquered much of Syria and Iraq. But as the terrorist organization now turns its sights on the pro-Western Kingdom of Jordan, Washington can no longer ignore its territorial gains

Washington Institute experts discuss the current situation in Gaza, Israel's military operation, Palestinian politics, and U.S. policy during this in-depth video presentation.

Senior officials from Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government discuss how the ISIS insurgency is affecting the debate over Kurdish independence.

Hamas, bankrupt and friendless, hopes to use violence to win support. Israel cannot do otherwise than act.

A reformed Iraqi constitution focused on pragmatic politics rather than political theory will provide a surer basis for stability.

Turkey-based Hamas member Salah al-Arouri is uniquely suited to overseeing the group's operations in the West Bank.

Abbas and other Arab leaders demand that Israel stop striking Gaza, but not that Hamas stop shooting rockets at Israel. So the United States should demand they correct that imbalance.

Rapprochement with Turkey may not lead to outright independence for the Kurds. But in the new Middle East, the borders between the Kurds and Arabs will be more real than those between the Kurds and Turkey.

To stem the growing threat posed by militant Islamist groups worldwide, Western countries should implement more effective countermeasures against recruitment at home while bolstering the positive regional examples set by Morocco and the Iraqi Kurds.

The policy of conditioning delivery of Apache helicopters and other equipment enhances neither freedom in Egypt nor the prospect of defeating Islamist militants in the Sinai.

ISIS poses an existentially different threat than previous Sunni jihadist groups, with a focus on territorial possession and expansion.

Actions matter more than words, says Arab politics scholar David Pollock, but incitement by Palestinians and Israelis sometimes leads to violent deeds.

Such a program should strengthen the moderate opposition militarily and enhance its political and informational capabilities, while disrupting Salafi-jihadist recruitment.

Manama's latest announcement could impact both the island's delicate political process and U.S. military interests in the region.

Facing threats from all directions, King Abdullah is moving to get his foreign policy team in place -- and quell infighting within the royal family.

The United States and its allies beat al-Qaeda on the battlefield several years ago, but ISIS has financed a resurgence in Syria and Iraq that poses no less a threat to regional stability.

The multitude of other crises in the region and the strong doubts among Israelis and Palestinians cannot be an argument for walking away from diplomatic efforts.

The crisis now unfolding in Iraq poses a major and urgent challenge to the interests of the United States, Japan, and their allies. It threatens to further destabilize an already chaotic Middle East. It has caused oil prices to rise on concerns over not only Iraq's current production, but worries

In addition to addressing the Iraq crisis directly, Washington should take a more robust, strategic approach to Syria while preempting possible threats to Jordan and other states.

A public airing of the potential consequences of Iran's nuclear program could alter the terms of debate and possibly encourage greater restraint within the Islamic Republic.