Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

When There's Good News About the Middle East, We Should Take Note

Israel’s maritime deal with Lebanon, facilitated by U.S. mediation efforts, reduces the risk of war and establishes a precedent in Lebanese recognition of a boundary line.

Oct 17, 2022

◆

Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Israel Debates the Lebanon Maritime Deal

The imminent election and the resultant rush to strike a deal are distracting from what could be a significant diplomatic and economic milestone for both countries.

Oct 13, 2022

◆

David Makovsky

Buoys mark the maritime border between Israel and Lebanon in the Mediterranean Sea - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Israel Falls for Lebanon’s Treaty Bait-and-Switch

The maritime border agreement is a mixed bag, demonstrating how far Israel will go to make peace with Arab states while doing little to decrease the prospects of an eventual war with Hezbollah.

Oct 11, 2022

◆

David Schenker

Brief Analysis

Saudi King Gives Up Prime Minister Role to Crown Prince

The transfer further boosts his son’s authority and could even be a prelude to an unprecedented abdication.

Sep 27, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson

President Joe Biden meets Palestinian Authority President Abbas in July 2022

Fikra Forum

Reactions of Palestinian Media and Political Leaders to Biden’s Visit to the Region

Palestinians felt that Biden’s visit did little to aid the Palestinian cause, despite attempts by the Palestinian Authority to portray the trip as a success.

Sep 26, 2022

◆

Jalal Selmi

Brief Analysis

For Hezbollah, a Maritime Border Deal Is a Way to Avoid War

Hezbollah leaders are not ready to act on their many threats of major escalation, so Washington and its allies should prevent the group from reaping the nascent agreement’s reputational and financial benefits.

Sep 23, 2022

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

Brief Analysis

Israeli Elections, Round Five: A Game of Inches

The first in a series of Washington Institute articles about the upcoming vote discusses how the rival coalitions are shaping up, why extremists are gaining ground on the right, and which policy issues are most likely to steer the national debate.

Sep 21, 2022

◆

David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Regional Security Cooperation Partnerships in the Middle East

The Abraham Accords have substantially increased the region’s options for countering Iranian threats, but the past performance of Arab coalitions should make policymakers cautious about expecting too much from new alliances.

Sep 21, 2022

◆

David Schenker

MEES map showing Israeli and Lebanese maritime border claims in the East Mediterranean.

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Karish Gas Field: Diplomatic Opportunity or Casus Belli?

Seven experts examine how the fraught decision to start production might affect Beirut’s negotiating stance, Hezbollah’s military calculus, U.S.-Israel relations, and other factors.

Sep 20, 2022

◆

Simon Henderson
Hanin Ghaddar
Matthew Levitt
Ehud Yaari
David Makovsky
David Schenker
Andrew J. Tabler

Fikra Forum

Pragmatic Re-Balancing: the Saudi Dual Outreach to Israel and Iran

While the Middle East remains littered with flashpoints, Saudi Arabia is reaching out to Israel and Iran in an attempt to defuse simmering tensions and build consensus, with the Kingdom shifting from a confrontational to fence-mending approach.

Sep 20, 2022

◆

Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco

Fair-Observer-Arab-NATO-Middle-East-politics-Iran-news-GCC-news

Fikra Forum

The Middle East NATO: From Fiction to Fact

In light of increased regional tensions, the idea of a Middle East NATO is becoming more and more realistic, this time with the possibility of Israeli-Arab cooperation.

Sep 14, 2022

◆

Mohamed Chtatou

Fikra Forum

In New Poll, Most Egyptians Split on Relations with Foreign Powers, Pessimistic About Domestic Economy

Egyptians expressed skepticism about the economy, reliance on the United States, and the Abraham Accords with Israel.

Sep 9, 2022

◆

Mohamed Abdelaziz

Fikra Forum

Bahrain Opinion Poll Confirms Sectarian Split on Iran, but not on U.S. or Israel

The Bahraini public provided their perspectives on ties with international partners, moderate Islam, and the country’s economic situation.

Sep 9, 2022

◆

David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Responding to the PA’s Mounting Fiscal Crisis

Years of declining international aid, unsustainable public patronage, and controversial policies have pushed the Palestinian government and banking sector to the brink of insolvency.

Sep 1, 2022

◆

Jonah Shrock
Gabriel Epstein
David Makovsky

Fikra Forum

July/August 2022 UAE Survey Shows U.S. Leads Iran, but Lags Russia and China

Emiratis share their views on global players, regional dynamics, and economic conditions.

Aug 30, 2022

◆

David Pollock

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll Shows Biden's Visit Barely Budged Skepticism

The Saudi public gave mixed reviews on issues such as normalization and ties with the United States, but remained mostly united regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine and relations with Iran.

Aug 26, 2022

◆

David Pollock

Iron Dome rockets intercepting Hamas missiles over Tel Aviv

Articles & Testimony

Israel and Gaza Keep Up Their Precarious Dance

What the latest round of fighting against PIJ—and not, conspicuously, Hamas—means, and why it will probably happen again.

Aug 9, 2022

◆

Neri Zilber

U.S., Israeli, Bahraini, and Qatari flags on a mural celebrating the Abraham Accords

Articles & Testimony

A Path to Peace from Biden’s Trip—How the Arab States Can Help

Regional governments are going to reach out to Israel anyway, so why not take advantage of this activity to help the Palestinians and encourage Jerusalem toward constructive moves?

Aug 1, 2022

◆

Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

President Joe Biden greets Saudi King Salman in Jeddah in July 2022 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The True Promise of Joe Biden’s Middle East Trip

It is no exaggeration to say that the visit represents a transformation of Washington’s regional approach—including a rethink of the “pivot.”

Jul 27, 2022

◆

Dennis Ross
James Jeffrey

Fikra Forum

New Poll Shows Gazans Pragmatic Now, But Not Long-Term

A new public opinion poll from Gaza shows some pragmatic, short-term moderation toward the U.S. and Israel over the past year, including opposition to Hamas policies. However, long-term views remain hardline, with few changes during the same period.

Jul 15, 2022

◆

David Pollock
Faris Almaari

Supported by the

Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Program 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.

Never miss a breaking event on U.S. policy interests in the Middle East. Customize your subscription to our expert analysis, op-eds, live events, and special reports.

Featured experts

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is a 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 a Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Program on Arab-Israel Relations

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts