Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Terror from Sinai: Global Jihadist Groups on Israel's Doorstep

Statements and a video released on an al-Qaeda website are disturbing evidence of the growing lawlessness in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

Jun 20, 2012

◆

Aaron Y. Zelin

Video

Brief Analysis

Israeli Security in a Changing Regional Environment

Watch the 2012 Zeev Schiff Memorial Lecture on Middle East Security with one of Israel's most experienced military leaders.

Jun 18, 2012

◆

Yoav Galant

◆ Zeev Schiff Memorial Lectures

Articles & Testimony

Energy Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Source for Cooperation or Fuel for Tension?

The Case of Israel

This week, the German Marshall Fund published Energy Discoveries in the Eastern Mediterranean: Source for Cooperation or Fuel for Tension? The Case of Israel, a new report by Washington Institute senior fellow Simon Henderson. Focusing on the challenge of exploiting newly found natural gas reserves off the coasts of Israel

Jun 15, 2012

◆

Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

In Their Own Words: Egyptian Presidential Candidates Morsi and Shafiq

The second round of Egypt's presidential election, slated to take place this weekend, pits Muslim Brotherhood candidate Muhammad Morsi against Ahmed Shafiq, the former air force commander who served as Hosni Mubarak's last prime minister. Although it is impossible to predict how either candidate will govern if elected, their statements

Jun 15, 2012

Interview: Dennis Ross on Iran, Peace Process, Egypt

On Tuesday 12 June, Ambassador Dennis Ross was interviewed by BICOM senior research fellow Professor Alan Johnson. The interview covered key policy issues facing Britain, Israel and the United States. The following is a transcript of their discussion.

Jun 13, 2012

◆

Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Why a Syrian Civil War Would Be a Disaster For U.S. National Security

Speaking Thursday before the U.N. General Assembly, just one day after the latest massacre of civilians by government-affiliated forces, Kofi Annan warned that the crisis in Syria was on a disastrous course. “If things do not change, the future is likely to be one of brutal repression, massacres, sectarian violence

Jun 8, 2012

◆

Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Preserving UN Peacekeeping in the Levant

Violence in Syria and Lebanon coincides with diminished international commitment to UN forces monitoring the borders with Israel.

Jun 6, 2012

◆

David Schenker

Brief Analysis

The MFO Under Fire in Sinai

Deteriorating security in the Sinai Peninsula threatens not only the peacekeepers based there, but also the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty.

Jun 4, 2012

◆

David Schenker

In-Depth Reports

Beyond Worst-Case Analysis:

Iran's Likely Responses to an Israeli Preventive Strike

Although an Israeli preventive strike on Iran's nuclear program would be a high-risk endeavor carrying a potential for escalation in the Levant or the Persian Gulf, it would not be the apocalyptic event that some foresee. In this Policy Note, two Washington Institute military experts assess the likelihood of various

Jun 1, 2012

◆

Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Presidential Elections Will Not End Egyptian Instability

Washington has little ability to influence the outcome of this week's election, in which most leading candidates appear disinclined to maintain strong relations with the United States. But it can encourage the Egyptian military to minimize the likelihood of another uprising.

May 22, 2012

◆

Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Syria's New Jihadis

Amid the chaos in Syria, Jabhat al-Nusrah represents a spoiler in a conflict with no foreseeable end.

May 22, 2012

◆

Aaron Y. Zelin

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh gestures to supporters

Brief Analysis

Secret Hamas Elections Point to Internal Struggle

The ongoing Hamas elections will strengthen the military wing, weaken Khaled Mashal, make reconciliation with the PA more difficult, preserve close collaboration with Iran, and, perhaps, forge closer ties with Egypt.

May 16, 2012

◆

Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Changes in Israeli Policy after the Netanyahu-Mofaz Deal

Israel's new national unity government strengthens both Binyamin Netanyahu and Shaul Mofaz, but it will ultimately be judged by whether it makes progress on its foreign and domestic policy agenda.

May 9, 2012

◆

David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Implications of Egypt's Gas Cut-Off with Israel

Cairo's otherwise disappointing decision to freeze Israel's gas supplies gives Washington an opportunity to separate its Egypt and Eastern Mediterranean energy policies.

Apr 23, 2012

◆

Simon Henderson
David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Back from the Threshold: The Last Chance for Diplomacy to Stop Iran

In this timely and detailed paper, Brig. Gen. Michael Herzog (IDF, Ret.) proposes ways to maximise the chances of success in P5+1 talks to move the Iranians back from their nuclear threshold capacity. Key Points Strong evidence suggests that Iran's nuclear programme is intended to actually construct nuclear weapons, not

Apr 17, 2012

◆

Michael Herzog

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Can Meet Israel Halfway on Iran

There is no daylight between the United States and Israel on the objective and the preferred means for dealing with Iranian nuclear ambitions. Much has been written about possible differences, but the recent meeting between President Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted key points of convergence: Both agree that

Apr 2, 2012

◆

Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Dateline Middle East: Trip Reports from around the Region

On March 27, 2012, Robert Satloff, Andrew J. Tabler, and Simon Henderson addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. Dr. Satloff, the Institute's executive director and Howard P. Berkowitz chair in U.S. Middle East policy, had just returned from Israel and Jordan. Mr. Tabler, the Institute's Next Generation fellow

Mar 29, 2012

◆

Robert Satloff
Andrew J. Tabler
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Time to Stop Incitement to Murder -- Again

In responding to a spike in Israeli-Palestinian incitement, Washington should encourage constructive suggestions and focus on the worst cases.

Mar 21, 2012

◆

David Pollock

Brief Analysis

To Retaliate or Not: Hizballah's Calculus Following a Strike on Iran

Hizballah's response to military action against Iran could be shaped by rational cost-benefit analysis, a perceived spiritual obligation to defend its Shiite patron in Tehran, or both.

Mar 14, 2012

◆

David Schenker

In-Depth Reports

The End of the 'Peace Process'?

Barring unexpected developments, even optimistic observers see the current Israeli-Palestinian deadlock persisting at least until after this year's U.S. elections. The key actors are too focused on other challenges, too skeptical of each other's intentions, and too limited by multiple constraints to engage in the kind of decisionmaking a peace

Mar 6, 2012

◆

Tal Becker

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.

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 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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts