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In Focus: The Hamas-Israel War

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh greets Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran in June 2023 - source: Reuters

As details emerge of potential direct links to the attack on Israel, one thing is clear: Hamas would not have been able to plan and conduct such an operation without years of Iranian training, Iranian weapons, and hundreds of millions of dollars in Iranian funding.

Nov 2023

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Matthew Levitt

Thumbnail image of Google Map depicting Israeli and Hezbollah strikes across the Israel-Lebanon border since October 7, 2023

Maps & Graphics

Mapping Clashes Along the Israel-Lebanon Border

A regularly updated visual tracker of northern border attacks by Hezbollah, the IDF, and Palestinian groups during the 2023 Hamas-Israel war.

Oct-Nov 2023

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Hanin Ghaddar
Ahmad Sharawi

Israel’s War Aims and the Principles of a Post-Hamas Administration in Gaza

It’s not too early to think about the “day after” the war—even preliminary planning to create an interim administration will help clarify objectives for Israel’s leaders, sustain U.S. support, provide a more positive alternative future for Palestinians, and give Arab allies a rationale to play a more constructive role.

Oct 17, 2023

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Robert Satloff
Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Jewish Extremist Violence in the West Bank Could Trigger a Second Front

The combination of highly motivated young extremists on the ground, supportive far-right politicians back home, and ineffective local security measures may stoke a full-scale uprising if authorities continue to look the other way.

Nov 16, 2023

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Neomi Neumann

Gaza War Shows Heightened Risk of Escalation in the Region

Although Washington and its partners have kept the war from spreading so far, the lack of clear rules on some fronts—particularly Syria—has created a dangerous environment in which any actor might inadvertently cross someone’s red lines.

Nov 17, 2023

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Andrew J. Tabler

The Hamas-Israel War: One Month On

Four experts and former officials discuss the evolving military operation against Hamas, the status of the Lebanon front, the political plight of Arab governments, and the steps Israel must consider to balance its goals with growing international pressure.

Nov 9, 2023

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Zohar Palti
Hanin Ghaddar
Ghaith al-Omari
Dennis Ross

Russia’s Relationship with Hamas and Putin’s Global Calculations

There is no evidence Moscow knew about the October 7 attack, but it has provided support to Hamas and is taking advantage of the resultant blows to U.S. interests.

Nov 6, 2023

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Recent Institute Analysis

Photo of an October 2023 Iraqi demonstration with footprints covering the Israeli and American flags.

Iraq’s Delicate Balancing Act With Iran and the U.S.

Despite reassuring U.S. officials during recent meetings, it is unclear whether Prime Minister Sudani can indefinitely placate an angry public or prevent Tehran’s militia proxies from further escalating the situation.

Nov 19, 2023

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Bilal Wahab

U.S. soldiers at an Iraqi base after a rocket attack by Iran-backed militias

Will an Iraqi Front Open in the Hamas-Israel War?

The risky tit-for-tat strikes between U.S. and militia forces are one symptom of a wider competition between rival actors in Iraq—one that American and European officials should work together on containing.

Nov 21, 2023

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Bilal Wahab
Selin Uysal

Balancing U.S. Relations in North Africa Without Undermining the Abraham Accords

The Biden administration needs to tread carefully in engaging Algeria, since preserving UN negotiations on Western Sahara and protecting Morocco’s crucial relations with Washington and Israel are paramount to U.S. regional interests

Nov 22, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg
Amine Ghoulidi

Photo of a Russian Pantsir antiaircraft missile system.

Putin’s Alignment in Middle East Should Signal to Israel It’s Time for a Change of Allegiance

As Russia leans into support for Israel’s enemies, officials should look for ways to show Moscow that the threat of escalation goes both ways—including through outreach to Ukraine.

Nov 27, 2023

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Anna Borshchevskaya

A masked Hamas fighter brandishes a rifle in Gaza - source: Reuters

The Road to October 7: Hamas’ Long Game, Clarified

An in-depth look at the group’s post-2007 activities confirms that it was steadily preparing the ground (and the population) for war while lulling foreign officials into awaiting a moderation that would never come.

Oct-Nov 2023

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Devorah Margolin
Matthew Levitt

The Israel-Hamas War 2023: Frequently Asked Questions

You have questions about the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent military response against Hamas by Israel.

Our experts have answers.

Find answers to frequently asked questions derived from the recent work of Washington Institute scholars.

Regional Implications of the Hamas-Israel War

Maps & Graphics

Hezbollah’s Escalation Ladder

In his highly anticipated first speech since the Hamas massacre, Secretary-General Nasrallah can be expected to offer plenty of bluster and a possible step up the escalation ladder, but his group has an interest in avoiding all-out war.

Nov 2, 2023

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Matthew Levitt

Chinese and Israeli flags on a table at a diplomatic conference - source: Reuters

Tracking Chinese Statements on the Hamas-Israel Conflict

A regularly updated compendium of Beijing’s reactions to the Gaza war, including analysis of subtle shifts in its traditional approach of trying to please all sides.

Nov 3, 2023

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Grant Rumley
Rebecca Redlich

Maps & Graphics

The Gaza War’s Impact on Energy Security in the East Mediterranean

The energy sector is one indicator of the heavy costs the region will pay in the event of a wider conflict, with some effects already measurable in certain countries.

Nov 1, 2023

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Noam Raydan

A man carries Iranian and Palestinian flags at a pro-Hamas rally in Tehran in October 2023 - source: Reuters

Beyond Gaza, the Confrontation with Iran

By supporting Hamas’s operation, the Islamic Republic managed to subvert a broad emerging Arab-Israel partnership—but Israeli success in destroying the group’s military capabilities could turn the tables.

Oct 26, 2023

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Ehud Yaari

Photo showing flame and smoke rising over Lebanon's border with Israel.

Gaza War Shows Heightened Risk of Escalation in the Region

Nov 17, 2023

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Andrew J. Tabler

After Gaza, Recalibrated Prospects for a Geopolitical Europe

Much optimism attended the continental response to Russia’s Ukraine invasion, but the October 7 Hamas attacks and their aftermath could dampen aspirations for European unity on the international stage.

Oct 30, 2023

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Selin Uysal

Morocco and North Africa Are Feeling Anti-Normalization Ripples from the Gaza War

The conflict will make it more difficult for Washington and Israel to preserve—let alone expand—the diplomatic progress they have made with North African governments in recent years, particularly as public opposition intensifies.

Oct 25, 2023

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Sabina Henneberg

Qatar’s Relations with Washington and Israel Are Being Tested

The Gulf state is using its close relationship with Hamas to help secure the release of Gaza hostages, but these same relations could wind up damaging its political and military ties with the United States.

Oct 24, 2023

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Simon Henderson

Recent Webcasts

Photo of a blast wall with a drone mural at al-Asad Air Base in Iraq.

Video

Iranian Escalation in Iraq and Syria: Implications and U.S. Options

Four experts discuss what Washington can do about the latest spike in militia attacks against U.S. bases and local partners—even as they try to sustain the counterterrorism mission against the Islamic State.

Nov 17, 2023

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Michael Knights
Wladimir van Wilgenburg
Devorah Margolin
Andrew J. Tabler

Photo of an Israeli soldier in the ruins of a kibbutz following the October 2023 Hamas attack.

Video

The Hamas-Israel War: One Month On

Nov 9, 2023

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Zohar Palti
Hanin Ghaddar
Ghaith al-Omari
Dennis Ross

Secretary of State Antony Blinken places a tile that reads "Light in the darkness" on a wall at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, October 14, 2023.

The Israel-Hamas War and U.S. Policy: An Update

A panel of experts discuss the status of the crisis after nearly two weeks of fighting, focusing on President Biden’s

Oct 20, 2023

Will Hezbollah and Iran Expand War to Israel's North?

A former senior IDF official joins Lebanese and U.S. experts to discuss whether additional fronts are poised to open in

Oct 17, 2023

Podcast: Full Season Now Available

Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule Season 2 Cover Image

Audio

Podcast: Breaking Hezbollah's Golden Rule

Season 2

Listen to the new season of a podcast series shining a bright light on the global terrorist and criminal activities that Lebanese Hezbollah would rather keep hidden from view.

Sep 18, 2023

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Matthew Levitt

Interactive Map: ISIS Global Activity

Under the leadership of jihadism scholar Aaron Zelin, a team of researchers at The Washington Institute has built the Islamic State Select Worldwide Activity Map, an interactive tool that provides a more accessible way to search, track, and understand the organization’s global reach. It represents the most comprehensive public archive of the group’s attack data, media output, government designations, and legal cases — information that is becoming invaluable as IS affiliates disperse into a wider range of jurisdictions and the U.S. government continues shifting resources away from the global counterterrorism fight.

Access the interactive map.

In Focus: U.S. Counterterrorism Policy in Africa

Islamic State forces, in convoy formation, declare allegiance to new caliph, 2023.

Maps & Graphics

Exploiting a "Vast Jihad Arena":

The Islamic State Takes Territory in Mali

The offensive occurred amid a deteriorating security situation across the Sahel that will require creative U.S. responses.

Sep 26, 2023

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Aaron Y. Zelin
Sarah Cahn

Militia Spotlight

Maps & Graphics

Signs of Iranian Coordination in Iraqi Base Attacks and Messaging

Iran's proxies undertook two drone attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, and the related social media operations suggest that Iran's Qods Force played a coordinating function.

Oct 18, 2023

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Amir al-Kaabi
Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

Maps & Graphics

Coded Militia Language Aims to Signal Escalation

The Iraqi "resistance" is using language that previously presaged attacks on U.S. targets, whether sincerely or as a supportive bluff amid the latest Hamas-Israel crisis.

Oct 16, 2023

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Hamdi Malik
Crispin Smith
Michael Knights

AWH threat against U.S. bases in Kuwait and the UAE, October 24, 2023

Kataib Hezbollah's Facade Group Threatens Gulf States Again

An Iran-aligned group that presaged two previous drone attacks on Gulf cities has issued a new threat against U.S. targets

Oct 24, 2023

Iran-Backed Militias Applaud Hamas, Threaten Americans

Iraq's "resistance" militias all rhetorically supported the attack on Israel, but with interesting differences: Badr threatened Americans, while others seemed

Oct 13, 2023