Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

The Arab-Israeli Peace Process is More Important Now than Ever

April 22, 2016 In the 1990s and early 2000s, American media referred to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the “Middle East Peace Process,” a testament to the positive political developments achieved in Wye River and Oslo under the stewardship of former President Bill Clinton. President Clinton, a self-declared “honest-broker,” took calculated

Apr 22, 2016

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Dani Tahrawi

Brief Analysis

Limiting Incursions in Area A: The Next Step for Israeli-Palestinian Security Coordination

Ongoing bilateral security discussions aim to decrease controversial Israeli operations in parts of the West Bank, and their chances for success largely depend on avoiding the political obstacles associated with a formal agreement.

Apr 20, 2016

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Ghaith al-Omari

In-Depth Reports

Mixed Messages:

Abbas and Palestinians on Israel, 2014-16

In this new Policy Focus, David Pollock analyzes a significant transition in PA messaging, both governmental and in the Palestinian street, that has taken place during the past two years.

Apr 20, 2016

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Role in Addressing New Threats to Israel: Progress and Pitfalls

Israel's deterrent power is largely a reflection of how its adversaries view the strength of its strategic relationship with the United States, so actively addressing the issues that have caused recent fissures is paramount.

Apr 19, 2016

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Israel and Turkey Approaching Reconciliation Amid Policy Challenges

Normalization negotiations seem closer than ever to conclusion and should be encouraged, but significant differences remain, especially on Gaza, Hamas, and Egypt, and they will likely prevent a return to past bilateral intimacy.

Apr 19, 2016

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Michael Herzog
Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

The Maturing of Israeli-Russian Relations

The two countries will likely continue to cooperate, especially on the economic and military fronts, but Putin's assertive anti-Westernism could still pose problems for Israel in Syria and elsewhere.

Apr 15, 2016

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Video

Brief Analysis

Does the Middle East Still Matter? The Obama Doctrine and U.S. Policy

Four eminent scholars and policy practitioners debate the president's worldview and how it will shape American interests and options in the next administration.

Apr 14, 2016

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Derek Chollet
Ellen Laipson
Michael Doran
Michael Mandelbaum

Brief Analysis

The Israeli Angle to the Saudi-Egyptian Island Deal

Riyadh and Cairo's new agreement on transferring islands and building a long-planned bridge between the Sinai and Arabian Peninsulas also signals emerging rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

Apr 13, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Fikra Forum

Teaching Arabic in Israeli Schools: Between Security Preoccupations and the Cultural Dimension

April 8, 2016 Language plays a key role in the lives – and deaths – of humans. Great speeches have stirred many nations and religions into terrible wars. Conversely, language has also given voice to peace talks and anti-violence rallies. In other words, it has consistently been a mutable force

Apr 8, 2016

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Brief Analysis

Fighting in the Caucasus: Implications for the Wider Region

As Moscow continues its pattern of fomenting conflict and carving up countries in its near-abroad, the United States and regional players such as Iran, Israel, and Turkey will once again feel the ripples.

Apr 7, 2016

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Brenda Shaffer

Brief Analysis

Natural Gas Judgement Casts Shadow Over Israel's Energy Plans

A new court decision could stunt exploitation of offshore gas reserves, open the possibility of a heavy punitive arbitration award, and hamper foreign investment in Israel.

Mar 28, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

How Would Palestinians React to a UNSC Parameters Resolution?

If Washington and other parties hope to enshrine the contours of future peacemaking through a Security Council resolution, they will need to overcome numerous obstacles relating to Palestinian politics, regional priorities, and America's diminished standing in the region.

Mar 16, 2016

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

U.S. Military Aid to Israel: Debating an Increase

Instead of allowing persistent bilateral acrimony or domestic politics to delay a sensitive issue, both governments should approach the MOU negotiations as a function of Israel's military and diplomatic needs in a new regional landscape.

Mar 14, 2016

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

The Israeli Perspective on Safe Zones in Syria

Despite the potential benefits of a safe zone along the Jordan-Syria border, Russia's presence in the war would probably limit Israel's ability to openly support or contribute to such an initiative.

Mar 10, 2016

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Nadav Pollak

Fikra Forum

Hezbollah Labeled Terrorist by GCC States – But What Do Their People Think?

March 8, 2016 In a remarkable if little-noticed development last week, all six GCC states – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain – formally designated the Lebanese movement Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. This week, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu called this step “important and even amazing,” but

Mar 8, 2016

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David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

How to Cure a Deficiency of Empathy During Conflict

March 3, 2016 As a professor of politics, I see violent extremism as a disease, and those infected with it suffer from what I call ‘empathy deficiency.’ Violent extremists in Palestine and Israel are infected with this disease; they look at their opponents and see ghosts ready to be eliminated

Mar 3, 2016

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Mohammed Dajani

Articles & Testimony

A Bargain with Israel on Settlements

A differentiated approach to settlements could stem the drift toward a binational state, blunt the delegitimization movement internationally, and remove the issue as a constant irritant to U.S.-Israel relations.

Feb 26, 2016

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

In-Depth Reports

The Five Factors Slowing Gaza Reconstruction

Mitchel Hochberg untangles the complex factors hindering Gaza reconstruction and shows why a clearer understanding is a necessary first step toward rectifying this dangerous situation.

Feb 22, 2016

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Mitchel Hochberg

Articles & Testimony

Netanyahu Fights for Israel's Energy Future

Even with the low price of oil and natural gas, there are ample business and policy reasons for exploiting Israel's reserves quickly, so Netanyahu is pushing ahead despite ongoing political constraints.

Feb 11, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Donors Growing Weary of Reconstructing Gaza

The promise of renewed conflict between Israel and Hamas has made donors shy away from funding the large-scale projects and new housing developments needed to improve and not simply manage living conditions in Gaza.

Feb 2, 2016

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Mitchel Hochberg

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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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Policy Analysis on Israel

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