Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking with President Joe Biden

The veteran journalist dishes on the Jordanian king’s “man cave,” Biden’s pique at both Netanyahu and Abbas, and Harris’s public versus private diplomatic style.

Oct 21, 2024

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Simon Henderson

U.S. President Joe Biden greets French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in December, 2022 - source: White House

Brief Analysis

Assessing U.S.-French Cooperation a Year After October 7

Fighting on several Middle East fronts has revealed gaps between the allies, but they have ample room to collaborate in areas that range from ensuring Lebanese sovereignty to delivering humanitarian aid.

Oct 18, 2024

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Souhire Medini

Protesters in New York City demand the release of U.S. citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar’s Death Can Bring the Middle East Closer to Peace

The long-elusive terrorist was known for brutality to Israelis and Gazans alike, and his passing opens the door to diplomatic, economic, and political progress.

Oct 17, 2024

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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Dennis Ross
Steven Tian

A banner in Gaza depicts the new Hamas leader, Yahya al-Sinwar - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

How Sinwar’s Death Could Change the War

The demise of the Hamas leader and October 7 plotter could create significant diplomatic opportunities for Israel and the United States.

Oct 17, 2024

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Ghaith al-Omari
Neomi Neumann

EU vessel participating in Operation Aspides against the Houthis.

Maps & Graphics

The Ship Operators Shrugging Off Houthi Attacks

While major operators will continue to avoid the Red Sea in 2025, others are launching new services in the high-risk waterway, including some that manage China-linked vessels.

Oct 16, 2024

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Noam Raydan

◆ Maritime Spotlight

Articles & Testimony

How Israel Can Leverage Its Successes (Yes, Successes)

Despite massive failures leading up to the Gaza war and numerous controversies since then, Israel has made important achievements—now it must connect them to a clearly stated set of realistic strategic goals.

Oct 8, 2024

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David Makovsky

(left to right) al-Aqsa Mosque, Jerusalem; an Israeli tank in Ramallah; Hamas (top) and Fatah (bottom) protests in Hebron

In-Depth Reports

Understanding Geographic Distinctions in West Bank Public Opinion

Respondents to an extensive new poll shared remarkably independent views on issues ranging from Hamas’s success in the Gaza war to the likelihood of Israel’s collapse.

Oct 8, 2024

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Catherine Cleveland

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.

Video

Brief Analysis

U.S. Policy in the Post-October 7 Middle East: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Three former U.S. officials discuss the challenges—and opportunities—that will greet the next administration in year two of the post-October 7 era.

Oct 7, 2024

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul
David Schenker

Photo of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah onscreen while addressing a 2017 event.

Articles & Testimony

6 Consequences of Israel Killing Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah

By building on the death of an Iran-backed terrorist leader, President Biden has the opportunity to leave the Middle East better today than it was on October 8, which is no small achievement.

Sep 30, 2024

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Robert Satloff

Flowers and a portrait of Hassan Nasrallah at a memorial to the slain Hezbollah leader in Beirut - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

How the Death of Hezbollah’s Nasrallah Brings a Renewed Opportunity for Mideast Peace

Netanyahu must translate Israel’s military achievements in Lebanon into political outcomes while also preventing far-right nationalists in his coalition from defining what is possible with the Palestinians.

Sep 29, 2024

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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Dennis Ross
Steven Tian

Brief Analysis

What Nasrallah’s Death Could Mean for the Hezbollah Network

Iran’s proxy faces steep challenges on the leadership and military fronts, and the international community can now act vigorously to free Lebanon from its grip.

Sep 28, 2024

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Hanin Ghaddar

Men watch as smoke rises after an Israeli bombing of Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon in September 2024 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Israel Dead Set on Beating Hezbollah Back

With prospects low for a near-term diplomatic breakthrough, the Lebanese group can decide how far this conflict escalates.

Sep 27, 2024

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David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Improving Egypt-Israel Relations in the Shadow of Gaza

In addition to addressing each country’s concerns about border sovereignty, smuggling, and other irritants, Washington should emphasize the longer-term need to return to the peace treaty’s military limitations after the Gaza war.

Sep 24, 2024

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David Schenker
Assaf Orion

Articles & Testimony

Israel Turns Up the Heat on Hezbollah

As the war in Gaza seemingly winds down, the old rules no longer apply in the north.

Aug 29, 2024

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David Schenker

Infographic on Hamas diplomatic meetings during the Gaza war.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Hamas Diplomacy: From Haniyeh to Sinwar

The group has sought to build legitimacy and prepare for a postwar role in Gaza by engaging with various countries since October, but the death of Ismail Haniyeh will complicate those efforts.

Aug 28, 2024

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Aaron Y. Zelin

An unexploded missile fired by an Israeli aircraft lies among the rubble, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in the northern Gaza Strip - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Explosive Remnants: Gaza’s Literal Ticking Bomb

Reconstruction can’t happen until thousands of dud bombs and other explosives are cleared from the urban rubble—a task that faces formidable shortfalls in funding, manpower, and other resources.

Aug 12, 2024

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Andrew G. Clemmensen

President Joe Biden arrives in Saudi Arabia in July 2022

Articles & Testimony

Biden’s Middle East Moonshot

Reaching a Gaza ceasefire and Israeli-Saudi normalization deal will require intense, well-coordinated diplomatic efforts in a condensed timeline, but the administration can do it with help from the “Arab Quint.”

Aug 7, 2024

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Dennis Ross

News headlines on Gaza war, emphasis on use of anonymous sources by Washington Post

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Anonymous Sources in Gaza War Reporting:

The Washington Post vs. Its Peers

In such a challenging environment, news organizations must work especially hard to convince readers that sources are honest, legitimate, and trustworthy.

Jul 29, 2024

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Martin Indyk, Tireless U.S. Envoy Who Saw the ‘Promised Land’ Ending the Israel-Palestinian Conflict

After spending decades working for a breakthrough, he was never naive about the rejectionists on both sides, but he still had faith in a two-state solution.

Jul 28, 2024

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Dennis Ross

Swearing-in ceremony for PA cabinet, March 31, 2024. Mahmoud Abbas is third from right; the new PM, Muhammad Mustafa, is to his left.

In-Depth Reports

Reforming the Palestinian Authority:

A Roadmap for Change

The beleaguered governing body requires an overhaul in order to support West Bank stability, postwar governance of Gaza, and a revived political process with Israel.

Jul 22, 2024

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Neomi Neumann
Ghaith al-Omari

Supported by the

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations is committed to providing America's policymakers with timely analysis on issues of critical concern to Israel and its Arab neighbors.

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Featured experts

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

David Makovsky

David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Ehud Yaari

Ehud Yaari is the Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

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