A U.S. Navy F-35 launches at night - source: Department of Defense

THE IRAN WAR 

SHAKES THE MIDDLE EAST

The U.S.-Israel Conflict with Iran: Three Things to Watch

Epic Fury and Roaring Lion: From War Scenarios to Pressing Postwar Questions in Iran
Washington Institute experts assess the immediate implications of U.S.-Israeli military strikes on Iran, including the regime’s future after major leadership losses, reactions inside Iran and Lebanon, the fallout for the Gulf states, the contours of potential diplomacy once the fighting stops, and more.
Mar 1, 2026
  • Assaf Orion
  • Michael Eisenstadt
  • Holly Dagres
  • Patrick Clawson
  • Hanin Ghaddar
  • April Longley Alley
  • Richard Nephew
In the Middle East, Chaos Is Putin’s New Ally
Putin has been using his position in the region to chip away at Russia’s isolation during the Ukraine war, and another Middle East regime change won’t do much to change that strategy.
Mar 5, 2026
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
War Comes to the Gulf
With Iran seemingly intent on continuing its strikes against Gulf targets and regional leaders mulling whether and how to respond, what can policymakers and military planners expect to see next in terms of likely target sets, risks to civilian areas, concerns over air defense munition supplies, and potential repercussions for energy and commercial shipping interests?
Mar 3, 2026
  • Elizabeth Dent
  • Michael Eisenstadt
  • Noam Raydan
  • April Longley Alley
America and Israel’s War to Remake the Middle East
Much more so than even last year’s war, the two allies are equal military partners in the current fight, but the growing gaps between their publics could impede cooperation on the next set of major policy issues in the region.
Mar 4, 2026
  • Dana Stroul

Webcast Monday: Energy and Shipping Risks in the Iran War

Join us for an expert webcast examining the Iran conflict's current and potential impacts on global commerce and energy. Watch live starting at 1:00 p.m. EDT (1700 GMT) on Monday, March 9, 2026.

 

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Interactive Map: Maritime Attacks in the MENA Region

Study: Russia in the Middle East

Montage: Presidents Sisi (Egypt) and Putin (Russia) at the 2024 BRICS summit; a woman holds a Russian flag in Istanbul; a Russia House cultural center in Syria; a map image superimposing Russian flag over Africa/Middle East.
Maps & Graphics
After Ukraine:
Moscow has cultivated ties with U.S. adversaries and allies alike, and Washington must respond by advancing a holistic policy that empowers Ukrainian commercial interests and addresses deficits in sanctions policy.
Jan 23, 2026
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
  • Matt Tavares

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