The New Syria: One Year Post-Assad

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa places his signature at a cabinet meeting in Damascus, October 12, 2025.
Institutions and Governance in the New Syria:
The transitional leadership can claim several successes, but a shadow government, opaque economic practices, and uneven accountability for former regime crimes could undermine progress.
Dec 4, 2025
  • Aaron Y. Zelin

Recent Institute Analysis

President Trump and Middle Eastern leaders sign documents relating to the Gaza Ceasefire - source: The White House
Getting to Phase 2 in Gaza: Red Lines and Recommendations
Washington Institute experts and former officials lay out the urgent need for clarity on vital questions related to U.S. oversight, the stalled International Stabilization Force, Israel’s red lines, Hamas opposition to multilateral proposals, the contours of the PA’s role, and more.
Dec 12, 2025
  • Dennis Ross
  • Neomi Neumann
  • Michael Jacobson
  • Ghaith al-Omari
  • Ehud Yaari

Interactive Tool: Middle East Maritime Attacks 2019-Present

Screenshot excerpt of a StoryMap covering maritime attacks in the Middle East.
Maps & Graphics
Tracking Maritime Attacks in the Middle East Since 2019
An interactive map showing the extent to which Houthi forces, their Iranian military patrons, and other actors have been targeting vessels in regional waterways for years, including well before the Hamas-Israel war.
Aug 3, 2024
  • Noam Raydan
  • Farzin Nadimi

Building Peace Between Israel and Lebanon

Flags of Israel and Lebanon painted on hands outstretched to each other, overlaying map of Israel-Lebanon border and beyond.
Maps & Graphics
A Roadmap for Israel-Lebanon Peace
Pursuing even incremental steps will be difficult in a country long dominated by Iran’s chief regional proxy, but the two countries’ leaders have cracked the door open for future diplomacy.
Oct 28, 2025
  • Hanin Ghaddar
  • Robert Satloff
  • Ehud Yaari

In Focus: How Hezbollah Exploits Financial Corruption in Lebanon

Banque du Liban, BDL commissioner Riyad Salameh, Hezbollah symbol, ATM machine
Maps & Graphics
Cash Cabal:
The Lebanese economy requires an urgent overhaul, and the international community must press for deep reforms.
Jun 22, 2023
  • Samara Azzi
  • Hanin Ghaddar

Interactive Map: ISIS Global Activity

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