Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

Israel and Egypt: Reports from a Changing Region

On July 25, Washington Institute Ziegler distinguished fellow David Makovsky, who recently returned from a trip to Israel and Ramallah, was joined in a Policy Forum by Institute Next Generation fellow Eric Trager, who spent much of June and July conducting extensive research in Egypt. The following is a rapporteur's

Jul 30, 2012

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David Makovsky
Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

How to Advance Transition to a Post-Assad Future

In this paper, the former chief of staff to Israel's minister of defense argues that, in addition to the moral imperative to help the Syrian people, there are also strong strategic reasons for the West and various regional states to be more proactive in bringing about the end of the

Jul 10, 2012

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Michael Herzog

In-Depth Reports

The Unexpected Vitality of Turkish-Israeli Trade

Given that political tensions continue to run high between Turkey and Israel, it would be inaccurate to describe their relations as good, or even on the mend. At the same time, booming trade ties and other economic indicators suggest that the two countries have great potential for a fresh start

Jun 28, 2012

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Soner Cagaptay
Tyler Evans

Brief Analysis

Putin's Trip to Israel Could Challenge Washington

The Russian leader's visit is expected to provide competition for U.S. diplomatic leadership on issues such as natural gas, Iran, and Syria.

Jun 22, 2012

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Simon Henderson

Video

Brief Analysis

Israeli National Security Strategy in the Expanded Coalition

On June 19, 2012, Shaul Mofaz addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute. General Mofaz is vice prime minister of Israel, minister without portfolio, and head of the Kadima Party. A former military fellow at the Institute, he has also served as deputy prime minister, defense minister, and chief

Jun 21, 2012

An Egyptian guard inspects bomb damage near the Gaza border in Sinai

Brief Analysis

Sinai's Emergence as a Strategic Threat to Israel

If international awareness does not spur immediate Egyptian action to address the growing security vacuum and increased terrorist incidents on the border with Israel, the Sinai powder keg may soon explode.

Jun 21, 2012

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Michael Herzog

Articles & Testimony

How America Can Help Its Friends Make Nice

It has been more than two years since the confrontation over a Gaza-bound flotilla plunged Israeli-Turkish relations into a deep crisis. Left to their own devices, Turks and Israelis have been unable to overcome mutual suspicion and domestic obstacles to bridge their differences. These days, there is a degree of

Jun 21, 2012

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Michael Herzog
Soner Cagaptay

Brief Analysis

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

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Israeli National Security Strategy in the Expanded Coalition

Shaul Mofaz's victory in the Kadima primary election and subsequent decision to bring his party into the governing coalition sent shockwaves through Israel, changing the dynamics of regional politics. To discuss his strategy for security and peace, and ways in which the expanded coalition can promote these goals, The Washington

Jun 19, 2012

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

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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

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Simon Henderson

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

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Dennis Ross

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

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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

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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

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Michael Eisenstadt
Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Command and Control

This week, the world's major powers resumed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. Should they fail, the specter of a possible Israeli strike looms large, seeming to grow more likely as Tehran's nuclear program advances. In recent weeks, however, the conventional wisdom has shifted to favor the view that

May 23, 2012

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David Makovsky
Olivia Holt-Ivry

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

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Eric Trager

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

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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

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David Makovsky

Video

In-Depth Reports

Remarks by Denis McDonough, Deputy National Security Advisor

Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough believes that the relationship between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is “workmanlike” and enables the two leaders to immediately address the important issues on their agendas. Speaking to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Weinberg Founders Conference, McDonough stated that

May 7, 2012

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Denis McDonough

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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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