Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

Map of U.S. Army operations in Operation Torch, 1942 - source: U.S. Army

From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: Events 80 Years Ago Made the Modern Middle East

The second week of November 1942 has much to tell us about the region’s geopolitical centrality, its enduring political currents, and its role in the future of the Jewish people—not to mention the evolution of American foreign policy.

Nov 6, 2022

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Robert Satloff

Saudi men take pictures at the Al Souda mountain - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Inside Saudi Arabia: A Trip Report

After leading an extensive group visit throughout the kingdom, Washington Institute scholars offer insights from their encounters with leaders in government, religion, business, and culture.

Nov 4, 2022

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Robert Satloff
David Schenker

Fikra Forum

Building Media Cooperation Between Abraham Accords Countries

For the Abraham Accords to be truly successful, cooperation between member countries must necessarily extend to partnerships of more accurate and far-reaching media sources.

Nov 3, 2022

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Najat AlSaied

US Army soldiers meet local civilians in Morocco during Operation Torch in November 1942 - source: U.S. Army

Video

Brief Analysis

From Torch to Tunis to El Alamein: The Most Important Forgotten Week in Modern Middle East History

Watch an expert conversation on the pivotal week in WWII whose events continue to shape the modern Middle East.

November 7, 2022

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Mehnaz Afridi
Aomar Boum
Martin Cüppers
Haim Saadoun

Articles & Testimony

A Narrow Government with Ben Gvir and Smotrich Threatens US-Israel Ties

Appointing senior ministers who incite against Arabs would undermine the shared values that buttress the bilateral relationship while giving fuel to Israel’s critics in Washington.

Nov 2, 2022

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Audio

Brief Analysis

Decision Points Podcast: Season 4

In this season of the Decision Points podcast, authors of seminal books on the U.S.-Israel relationship and the history of Zionism and Israel join Institute Senior Fellow David Makovsky to unpack their work and engage in striking, insightful conversations.

Oct 28, 2022

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David Makovsky

Fikra Forum

Two Years On, the Abraham Accords Bear Fruit

The Abraham Accords agreement between the UAE and Israel has made important steps in the direction of regional economic and political cooperation.

Oct 26, 2022

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Mohamed Maher

Articles & Testimony

How to Make the Most of Israel-Lebanon Maritime Deal

To maximize the benefits for the Lebanese people and regional stability, Washington must now increase pressure on Beirut to implement crucial reforms, particularly in the energy sector.

Oct 26, 2022

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Hanin Ghaddar

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Israeli Startups Are Leading Efforts to Combat Food Insecurity

From barn owls and crop sensors to 3D-printed steak and animal-free baby formula, Israeli firms are finding—and exporting—innovative ways to address challenges in the agricultural and food sectors.

Oct 25, 2022

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Shaina Katz

◆ Asset Test

Brief Analysis

What to Expect (or Not) from the Arab League Summit

Participants will probably issue potent-sounding statements on Iran, oil production, and other key issues, but their rhetoric is unlikely to result in any substantive policy shifts or internal dispute resolution.

Oct 24, 2022

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Sabina Henneberg
David Schenker

Fikra Forum

At the Edge of the Precipice: Jewish-Arab Relations in Israel on the Eve of the 2022 Parliamentary Election

Conflicted between a desire for political and social integration and a disillusionment with Israeli politics, Israel’s Arab population—particularly Arab youth—will be an unpredictable element in the upcoming elections.

Oct 20, 2022

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Michael Milshtein
Ilham Shahbari

Articles & Testimony

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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 a Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Arab-Israeli Relations

Policy Analysis on Arab-Israeli Relations

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