Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

An Opportunity Not to Be Missed: Agenda for the Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

The two leaders should focus on articulating a vision for a diplomatic agreement with Iran, sketching a common roadmap on Gaza, setting the stage for further Arab-Israeli normalization, and updating the parameters of bilateral strategic cooperation for a new regional reality.

Jul 3, 2025

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Dana Stroul
Robert Satloff

Two Iranian women hug each other while a country's flag and a portrait of an Iran-Israel war victim are projected on the Azadi (Freedom) Monument in western Tehran, Iran, on June 25, 2025 - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

Iran on Day 13: Gauging Regime Choices and Public Attitudes After the War

Two human rights experts discuss the chances that Iran’s domestic crackdown will escalate under the ceasefire, while a former CIA manager explains why the clock is rapidly ticking away on key elements needed to effectively monitor the damaged nuclear program.

Jul 3, 2025

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Holly Dagres
Roya Boroumand
Norman Roule

Brief Analysis

Accelerating Israeli-Palestinian Diplomacy After the Iran War

Although international frustrations over the Gaza war were briefly placed on the back burner during the Iran crisis, they are boiling over once again and may spoil Washington’s postwar plans if left untended.

Jul 2, 2025

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Ghaith al-Omari

Articles & Testimony

Did the Attacks on Iran Succeed?

Israel and the United States bought themselves time on the nuclear issue, but the decision to take the military path raises a host of other risks and questions.

Jun 26, 2025

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Richard Nephew

US and Israeli military planes participate in the 2023 Juniper Oak joint exercise - source: IDF

Articles & Testimony

Why War? Why Now? Assessing Iranian Intentions and Capabilities

Israeli and American intelligence reached different conclusions while looking at the same information, so understanding what Jerusalem and Tehran were thinking before the war is crucial to forecasting what could come next.

Jun 26, 2025

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Matthew Levitt

A USAF B-2 Spirit bomber refuels in flight - source: Department of Defense

Video

Brief Analysis

U.S. Attacks Iranian Nuclear Sites: Implications for Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. Policy

Two veteran U.S. officials join a former Israeli ambassador to discuss the effects and future consequences of the Trump administration’s decision to strike Iran’s nuclear program.

Jun 25, 2025

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Dana Stroul
Michael Herzog
Dennis Ross
Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

How the Iran-Israel Conflict Is Affecting Gulf Energy and Maritime Security

For regional countries seeking to transform their economies and partner with the United States in areas including AI, the current war poses risks that could reverberate in the global economy.

Jun 23, 2025

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Noam Raydan

A highway bridge in Tehran displays images of nuclear scientists killed during Israeli strikes against Iran in June 2025 - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

The Bigger Picture in the Iran-Israel Conflict: Russia, Missiles, Militias, and More

Four experts assess how outside players might respond to the showdown, and whether Tehran will switch up its calculus on procurement, attack tactics, and other military matters as the fight goes on.

Jun 23, 2025

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Anna Borshchevskaya
Michael Knights
Farzin Nadimi
Assaf Orion

Brief Analysis

What Nuclear Restrictions Would Be Required for a Viable Iran-Israel Ceasefire?

The most important restrictions include measures like permanently dismantling enrichment infrastructure and properly disposing of key materials and equipment, but policymakers need to be clear-eyed about the inherent limitations of even the strictest verification agreement.

Jun 20, 2025

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Richard Nephew
Patrick Clawson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Militias Show Cohesion and Restraint During Iran-Israel War

The self-styled "resistance" is probably being held in reserve in case the United States joins the war, with militias noticeably restraining themselves so far.

Jun 19, 2025

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Hamdi Malik
Michael Knights

◆ Militia Spotlight

Brief Analysis

Key Outside Actors in the Iran-Israel Showdown:

A Compilation of Washington Institute Assessments

Experts assess the roles that various actors may seek to play during and after conflict, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, Iraqi militias, Palestinian factions, and international powers such as China, Russia, and the EU.

Jun 18, 2025

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Hanin Ghaddar
Noam Raydan
Michael Knights
Ghaith al-Omari
Grant Rumley
Anna Borshchevskaya
Souhire Medini

Emergency crews work at the scene of an Israeli air strike in Tehran in June 2025 - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

From Diplomacy to Military Force: The Future of Iran’s Nuclear Program

U.S. and Israeli experts assess the quickly evolving situation as the IDF continues striking targets across the country, Tehran retaliates with missile salvos, and the international community mulls how best to contain the crisis.

Jun 17, 2025

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Michael Eisenstadt
Zohar Palti
Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

A sign in Tehran displays images of officials in Iran's nuclear program killed in Israeli airstrikes in June 2025 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Can Israel Destroy Iran’s Nuclear Program?

A closer look at the technical indicators that experts and officials will be looking for to determine whether Israel’s campaign is setting the program back, and how much.

Jun 14, 2025

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Richard Nephew

Brief Analysis

Israel Strikes Iran: Initial Assessments from Washington Institute Experts

A compilation of analyses on the military and nuclear impact of Israel’s initial strikes, Tehran’s response options, the Trump administration’s next steps, public reactions inside Iran, and more.

Jun 13, 2025

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Matthew Levitt
Michael Eisenstadt
Patrick Clawson
Dana Stroul
Holly Dagres
David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Ambiguity Shouldn’t Stop Work on a Two-State Solution

Despite the Iran-Israel showdown, if European and Arab states prove they are willing to do the diplomatic and financial heavy lifting required for progress with the Palestinians, the reticent Trump administration might be encouraged to engage.

Jun 13, 2025

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David Schenker

Newly elected Lebanese president Joseph Aoun reviews soldiers at the presidential palace in Beirut - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

The Next Era of Israel-Lebanon Relations? Ceasefire Status and Political Prospects

Three experts examine the security and political situation six months after the ceasefire agreement was signed, including the implications for next year’s Lebanese election, Palestinian refugee camps, and eventual normalization with Israel.

Jun 9, 2025

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Hanin Ghaddar
Assaf Orion
Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

While Other Countries Push for a Palestinian State, Israel Is Increasing Its West Bank Presence

Dramatic changes have been taking place in the West Bank, driven mainly by Israeli actions that have reduced terrorism but are simultaneously striving to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Jun 6, 2025

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Neomi Neumann

A police officer loyal to the Palestinian Authority stands guard on a wall at PA headquarters in Ramallah in 2007 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Twilight of Palestinian “Armed Struggle”?

Militant groups are under growing pressure, and large-scale armed struggle seems far-fetched, yet it remains unclear if Palestinians are finally ready to give up their old battle cry.

June 2025

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Ehud Yaari

An IDF tank flies the Israeli flag while on operation inside Gaza in 2025 - source: IDF

Articles & Testimony

Israel’s Dangerous Escalation in Gaza

The IDF’s former head of strategic planning describes how politics and ideology are sidelining national security and creating a forever war.

Jun 3, 2025

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Assaf Orion

A United Nations peacepeeker scans the terrain in southern Lebanon - source: Untied Nations

Brief Analysis

UNIFIL’s Fork in the Road

The time for inertia is over—this summer, Security Council members will have a rare and urgent chance to break the spell of illusory “peacekeeping” and advance a model that actually helps keep the peace between Israel and Lebanon.

May 29, 2025

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Assaf Orion

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Featured experts

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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