Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

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

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

Oct 17, 2024

◆

Ghaith al-Omari
Neomi Neumann

SaD Shahed-101 with serials Oct 12, 2024

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Tripling of Iraqi Militia Claimed Attacks on Israel in October

The self-styled Islamic Resistance in Iraq has greatly increased its attack claims and is starting to cause fatalities in Israel, inviting a military response.

Oct 15, 2024

◆

Michael Knights
Ameer al-Kaabi
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Israeli Iron Dome missiles intercept rockets fired into Israel from Gaza by Hamas in October 2023 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Missile Defense Performance: Views from the Gulf

In discussing missile defense cooperation with risk-averse Gulf partners, Washington needs to realistically address the specifics of Iran’s latest attack on Israel, including the degree to which defenses were penetrated.

Oct 11, 2024

◆

Michael Knights
Elizabeth Dent

Brief Analysis

Why Israel Should Focus on Iranian Military and Security Targets, Not Oil Infrastructure

Despite significant vulnerabilities, the redundancies in Iran’s energy production would limit the effects of any strike, while the consequences for Israeli, Gulf, and global energy markets could be significant.

Oct 11, 2024

◆

Farzin Nadimi
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

A Roadmap to an Enduring Ceasefire in Lebanon

Border security is chiefly a matter of state sovereignty, so the international community must pressure Lebanese officials to take essential political and security steps even before attempting to negotiate ceasefire terms with Israel.

Oct 9, 2024

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

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

◆

David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

In Lebanon, a Rare Moment of Opportunity

Israel’s campaign has greatly diminished Hezbollah, presenting a chance for Beirut to end the war and push back against the group and its Iranian sponsors—if Lebanese elites are up to the task.

Oct 8, 2024

◆

David Schenker

Unarmed UN staff from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization stand near a Blue Line marker on the Israel-Lebanon borner - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Capitalizing on the Weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah

The massive losses suffered by two key members of Iran’s “axis of resistance” create an opening to transform more than just Gaza and Lebanon.

Oct 8, 2024

◆

Dennis Ross

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

◆

Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul
David Schenker

Brief Analysis

The Gaza War Has Jump-Started a Weakened al-Qaeda

Although the former jihadist standard-bearer has failed to inspire attacks during the Gaza war, its efforts to exploit rising anti-Israel sentiment and train a new generation of terrorists in Afghanistan should not be taken lightly.

Oct 4, 2024

◆

Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah Is Weakened, But Still Dangerous

The group’s ability to reconstitute its military power will depend on Iran restocking its arsenal; in the meantime, it will likely attempt more terrorist attacks abroad.

Oct 2, 2024

◆

Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

After Hezbollah’s Miscalculations, It Has Lost Much of Its Power

The group’s false assessment of Israel’s wartime fragility is proving more costly by the day.

Oct 1, 2024

◆

Matthew Levitt

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

◆

Robert Satloff

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

◆

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

◆

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

◆

David Schenker
Assaf Orion

Israelis protest demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Reminder: The Hostages (or: Why an ‘All for All’ Deal Doesn’t Help Them)

The impasse in negotiations boils down to a choice between getting the hostages out or staying in Gaza—and Netanyahu has seemingly picked the latter.

Sep 24, 2024

◆

David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Israel and Hezbollah Are Escalating Toward Catastrophe

Both sides have major incentives to avoid a wider conflict, but they’ll need help escaping the traps they laid for themselves.

Sep 23, 2024

◆

Dana Stroul

Articles & Testimony

Will Hezbollah Choose to Keep Its Word—or Its Arsenal?

The group must decide between walking back its threat to northern Israel or risking the loss of its advanced missile capabilities, which Iran regards as a crucial insurance policy.

Sep 23, 2024

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

A Hezbollah fighter has his picture taken alongside a mural depicting deceased Hezbollah military leader Ibrahim Aqil at Aquil's funeral in September 2024 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

The Death of (Another) Hezbollah Lifer

Like his recently killed predecessor, Ibrahim Aqil had a long history of murdering Americans, Europeans, Israelis, Lebanese, and others perceived as obstacles to Hezbollah’s ambitions, and his experience as a military and terrorist commander will be difficult to replace.

Sep 23, 2024

◆

Matthew Levitt

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

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

Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts