Military & Security

Policy Analysis on Military & Security

Alleged chemical weapons use by Syria is pushing the United States toward action, but Russia, China, and Iran might have something to say about that.

Apr 24, 2013

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

An Agenda for Secretary Hagel in Egypt

During his Cairo visit, Secretary Hagel should press the Egyptian military for a franker exchange of views, including on aid, the Sinai, and political transparency.

Apr 23, 2013

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David Schenker
Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Changing the Guard at the Saudi Defense Ministry

Although the U.S. military now has a more competent royal defense partner in Prince Fahd bin Abdullah bin Muhammad, his appointment could provoke destabilizing countermoves within the House of Saud.

Apr 22, 2013

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Tired of the Brotherhood, Egyptians Want the Military Back -- But Only Temporarily

A new military takeover would not provide any more of a path to stability than the increasingly autocratic Muslim Brotherhood, yet this may be where Egypt is heading.

Apr 10, 2013

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Eric Trager

Video

Obama's Second Chance: Middle East Policy in the President's Second Term

On April 9th 2013, the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at the University of Texas at Austin welcomed Institute executive director Robert Satloff for a discussion of the foreign policy challenges and opportunities facing the second Obama administration.

Apr 9, 2013

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

European Foreign Fighters in Syria

The number of Europeans joining the Syrian jihad is not as high as some fear, but their impact on the war and potential threat upon returning home could be disproportionately great.

Apr 2, 2013

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Brief Analysis

Building Gulf Missile Defenses One Small Win at a Time

If Washington and its partners build on incremental technological progress and greater regional cooperation, they can field a Gulf missile defense network capable of dealing with Iran's growing arsenal.

Mar 28, 2013

Brief Analysis

Yemen's National Dialogue and al-Qaeda

As Yemen's National Dialogue unfolds in the coming weeks, Washington should press stakeholders to address not only reform, but also the ongoing al-Qaeda threat.

Mar 26, 2013

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Daniel Green

Brief Analysis

Arms for Syria's Rebels: Shaping the War's Outcome

Military assistance can make Syrian rebel forces more effective, help shape the post-Assad period for Syria, and increase influence and access for the donor.

Mar 25, 2013

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Jeffrey White

Brief Analysis

Syria's Meltdown Requires a U.S.-Led Response

As Syria heads toward a meltdown spilling over its borders -- with loss of control over strategic weapons, accelerated refugee flows, spreading extremism, and Sunni-Shiite clashes -- only engaging with those doing the fighting will give Washington much influence over events.

Mar 22, 2013

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Israel's High-Tech Pipeline to America

President Obama was right when he noted that innovation is just as important to the U.S.-Israel relationship as security cooperation.

Mar 22, 2013

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Michael Eisenstadt
David Pollock

Brief Analysis

Implications of Possible Chemical Weapons Use in Syria

The Syrian regime has good reasons to both use chemical weapons and disguise what it has done. Having pegged out a firm stance on such weapons, Washington should respond vigorously with defensive measures while the investigation of reported use proceeds.

Mar 21, 2013

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Michael Herzog
Michael Knights
Andrew J. Tabler
Jeffrey White

Articles & Testimony

What Are Chemical Weapons and How Would Syria Use Them?

The impacts would be horrifying, but Assad probably can't employ them effectively on a large scale -- yet.

Mar 21, 2013

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Is Iraq Headed Toward Civil War?

On the tenth anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, the New York Times convened an online panel of experts to discuss whether the war was worth the cost in light of continued violence and political problems. The following contribution was made by Michael Knights, a Boston-based Lafer fellow with

Mar 20, 2013

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Michael Knights

Video

Brief Analysis

Field Reports on Syria and the Opposition

Sign up for live event broadcast alerts from The Washington Institute On March 7, 2013, Andrew J. Tabler, Jeffrey White, and Simon Henderson addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute to discuss their recent trips to Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, Israel, and the Persian Gulf. Mr. Tabler is a senior

Mar 12, 2013

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Andrew J. Tabler
Jeffrey White
Simon Henderson

Missile Defense and the Islamic Republic of Iran:

Contribution to Deterrence, Defense, and Crisis Stability

On February 14, 2013, Washington Institute senior fellow Michael Eisenstadt presented a briefing on missile defense and Iran at a conference on missile defense organized by the Polish Institute of International Affairs in Warsaw.

Mar 11, 2013

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Getting Carrier Out of the Gulf Good for U.S. Iran Policy

Other moves would do more than a carrier presence could to push Tehran toward a diplomatic solution.

Mar 10, 2013

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

UN Peacekeepers on the Golan at Risk

If current international inaction on Syria continues, UNDOF will face increasing difficulties, and the long-quiet Israel-Syria border could easily revert to a battlefield.

Mar 8, 2013

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David Schenker
Michael Herzog
Andrew J. Tabler
Jeffrey White

Brief Analysis

Syrian and Iraqi Conflicts Show Signs of Merging

Recent events indicate that insurgencies in both countries could eventually merge into one contiguous conflict zone, with profound consequences for Iraqi stability.

Mar 7, 2013

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Afghanistan Redux

A former U.S. political officer in Afghanistan returns to the Uruzgan Province to assess its progress since the height of the Taliban insurgency.

Mar 6, 2013

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Daniel Green

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Military and Security Studies Program

The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program has established itself as an unrivaled source of reliable, incisive, and forward-looking analysis concerning several of the most critical national-security challenges facing the United States today: The U.S. military role in the Middle East, Iran's nuclear program and its proxy armies, the ongoing conflict is in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, the regional proliferation of missiles and weapons of mass destruction, the security dimensions of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and many other security issues on the frontline of the U.S. policymaking agenda.

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Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt

Michael Eisenstadt is the Kahn Senior Fellow and director of The Washington Institute's Military and Security Studies Program.

Michael Knights

Michael Knights is the Jill and Jay Bernstein Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute and cofounder of the Militia Spotlight platform, which offers in-depth analysis of developments related to Iran-backed militias.

Grant Rumley

Grant Rumley is the Meisel-Goldberger Senior Fellow and Director of the Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Elizabeth Dent

Elizabeth Dent is a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where she focuses on U.S. foreign and defense policy toward the Gulf states, Iraq, and Syria.

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