Policy Analysis

As Iran makes continued progress toward a nuclear weapons capability, defining our red lines takes on increasing importance.

Recently, red lines both figurative and -- since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's prop-assisted speech to the United Nations two weeks ago -- literal have come to dominate the Iran policy discussion. While Netanyahu was as explicit as possible in his delineation of Israel's red line regarding Iran's nuclear status

Syria's errant mortar strike is an opportunity for Washington to support Turkey in a more aggressive approach to the ongoing crisis next door.

Given Obama and Erdogan's divergent policies on Syria, a storm between them appears almost unavoidable.

The Ahmadinejad era has taught Supreme Leader Khamenei to never again let a politician use elections and the office of the president to establish independent authority.

Since early January 2011, Jordan has witnessed the rise of a reform movement that has demanded political and social change. While the movement has not requested regime change, it seeks profound constitutional reforms that would strip the King of Jordan of his executive and legislative authorities. Above all, the movement

Syria's errant shelling of Turkey has weakened the regime, and Ankara is paving the way for action against Assad one strike at a time.

The imminent rallies could test both the opposition's strength and the palace's willingness to tolerate dissent.

The regime is relatively sheltered from the current crisis, so Washington should be careful not to count on the sanctions alone to resolve the nuclear impasse.

Given the strategic issues at stake and Washington's track record with nuclear rogues, Israel and the United States should keep their disagreements to themselves.

Hizbullah’s use of criminal activity to raise funds, procure arms, and provide logistics is part of the secret to the success of its military and terrorist activities. Matthew Levitt examines the nature and extent of these activities, which have exposed the group to additional law enforcement scrutiny in the United

Given Iran's clear rhetorical and military threats to Gulf shipping, the United States and its allies must step up their efforts to improve countermine capabilities and publicly signal the regime against any naval provocations.

To mitigate adverse consequences, Washington would need to take a number of steps before and after an Israeli strike, some of which might run counter to its instincts and preferences.

Ankara is re-embracing its old allies in Washington at the expense of Tehran and Damascus.

At a time when Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority are facing a surplus of bad options, Washington and Israel have ample reason to actively help them emerge from the impasse in as constructive a way as possible. Otherwise, Ramallah could choose a route that leads to increased acrimony, unintended

Although the United States and Israel agree that Iran should not be permitted to have nuclear weapons, they may not see eye-to-eye on how to achieve that goal. In particular, high-profile disagreements have surfaced regarding redlines and deadlines for termination of the regime's nuclear program. In addition to complicating U.S.-Israeli

On September 21, 2012, Patrick Clawson and Dennis Ross addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute to discuss the findings of the soon-to-be-released study Preventing an Iranian Nuclear Breakout: U.S.-Israel Coordination . Dr. Clawson is director for research and head of the Iran Security Initiative at the Institute. Ambassador

From Sana to Benghazi, Cairo to Casablanca, new jihadist groups have adopted the same name in recent months. Is it all just a coincidence?

Reporting about violence in the Middle East often focuses on Islamic extremists, and this is increasingly true for much of the coverage of Syria's uprising. But in the Syrian political opposition, Islamic extremism is truly the exception that proves the rule. The vast majority of Syrian opposition activists, according to

Washington should work closely with Amman, providing alternatives to rash changes that some will advocate as a way to stay ahead of the region's political tidal wave.