Skip to main content
TWI logo The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
logo
wordmark
Homepage

Main navigation

  • Analysis
  • Experts
  • About
  • Support
  • Maps & Multimedia
Trending:
  • Military & Security
  • Proliferation
  • Israel
  • Iran
  • Lebanon
  • Syria

Regions & Countries

  • Egypt
  • Gulf States
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Middle East
  • North Africa
  • Palestinians
  • Syria
  • Turkey

Issues

  • Arab & Islamic Politics
  • Arab-Israeli Relations
  • Democracy & Reform
  • Energy & Economics
  • Great Power Competition
  • Gulf & Energy Policy
  • Military & Security
  • Peace Process
  • Proliferation
  • Terrorism
  • U.S. Policy
TWI English
TWI Arabic: اللغة العربية Fikra Forum

Breadcrumb

  • Policy Analysis

Military & Security

Policy Analysis on Military & Security

Filter by:

PMF troops in Iraq
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Mainstreaming Hashd Commanders (Part 2): Fifty-Fold Increase in Officer Training
This year has seen a massive increase in the training of Iraqi militia officers at Defense Ministry academies, and a dedicated PMF training college might be developed under expanded legislation.
Mar 15, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
◆ Militia Spotlight
Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Abu Zaynab al-Lami
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Mainstreaming Hashd Commanders (Part 1): Advanced Education for Senior Militiamen
U.S.-designated terrorists and human rights abusers are beginning to receive senior ranks, staff college certification, and national security degrees at Iraqi and Arab military schools.
Mar 15, 2023
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Amir al-Kaabi
◆ Militia Spotlight
Illustration of chess pieces and the Russian and Ukrainian flags - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
A Year of War in Ukraine
As the conflict enters year two, it remains unclear if the West has fully internalized the right lessons about Moscow, its partners in the “Global South,” or the parameters of long-term victory.
March 2023
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Articles & Testimony
How Europe Is Quietly Putting ‘Strategic Autonomy’ into Practice
The hard lessons learned in Syria have given European leaders the confidence and tools they needed to respond forcefully in Ukraine.
Mar 9, 2023
◆
  • Louis Dugit-Gros
Protesters wave flags and placards in front of the Knesset to demonstrate their opposition to judicial reforms proposed by the coalition government of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu - source: Reuters
Video
Brief Analysis
The National Security Implications of Israel's Judicial Debate
A panel of former senior Israeli officials discusses how the convulsive domestic debate may affect vital issues related to military preparedness, Iranian nuclear advancement, Palestinian terrorism, and more.
Mar 8, 2023
◆
  • David Makovsky
  • Shimrit Meir
  • Yaakov Amidror
  • Uzi Dayan
  • Zohar Palti
Turkish President Erdogan meets Ukrainian President Zelenskiy in Kyiv - source: Reuters
Articles & Testimony
Unpacking Turkey’s Non-Binary Ukraine War Policy
Erdogan's stance has been pro-Ukrainian but not anti-Russian, enabling him to strike a delicate balance between NATO expectations, Moscow’s economic lifeline, and domestic political pressures.
Mar 7, 2023
◆
  • Soner Cagaptay
Trucks from the Autonomous Region, NE Syria, deliver aid after 2023 earthquake
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
UN Aid in Northwest Syria—Or Lack Thereof
In the direct aftermath of the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, EU-funded UN aid was delivered to Damascus despite the Assad regime’s disastrous track record, which includes stealing aid from international institutions. On the ground in Northwest Syria, frustration with the UN is rising, especially as aid from neighboring countries entered quickly.
Mar 6, 2023
◆
  • Rena Netjes
IDF Humanitarian Aid
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Regional Crisis and Regional Cooperation: Israeli Response to the Earthquake in Syria and Turkey
Israeli aid efforts to Turkey and Syria have been multifaceted after the earthquake, despite the difficult political circumstances.
Mar 6, 2023
◆
  • Nir Boms
  • Joelle Rosenthal
USAF ground crew directs a B-1 Lancer bomber
Articles & Testimony
Iran Needs to Believe America’s Threat
Four steps could help check Tehran’s progress toward a nuclear bomb and avoid the regional risks of a unilateral Israeli attack.
Mar 5, 2023
◆
  • Dennis Ross
Articles & Testimony
The Treacherous Triangle of Syria, Iran, and Russia
If the Assad regime's two main allies emerge victorious in Syria and Ukraine, U.S. adversaries will likely conclude that the pros of challenging Washington ultimately outweigh the negatives.
Spring 2023
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Articles & Testimony
Is Iran Ready to Build a Nuclear Bomb or Not?
The Biden administration’s mixed messages about the significance of new enrichment revelations will make it more difficult to decide next steps.
Mar 1, 2023
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Putin Netanyahu
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
The Netanyahu Government’s Approach to Russia and Ukraine
Despite increased pressure on both sides, Netanyahu is likely to maintain Israel's nonaligned approach to the conflict in Ukraine in an effort to preserve his immediate regional interests.
Feb 28, 2023
◆
  • Daniel Rakov
Abu Fadak in Syria
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
How the Popular Mobilization Forces Exploited Syria's Earthquake
Now that Iraqi PMF groups can deploy to Syria with Baghdad's formal authorization, many cross-border militant activities may accelerate under the cover of earthquake relief.
Feb 27, 2023
◆
  • Erik Yavorsky
◆ Militia Spotlight
Arash-2 drones (Iran), Patriot launcher (U.S.)
In-Depth Reports
Striking Back:
Iran and the Rise of Asymmetric Drone Warfare in the Middle East
The regime’s drone and missile forces pose a stark threat to the Gulf states and Israel, necessitating a firmer, more cohesive U.S.-led response.
Feb 26, 2023
◆
  • Kenneth McKenzie Jr.
Taremiyah
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
The Jurf al-Sakhar Model: Militias Debate How to Carve Out a New Enclave North of Baghdad
Tactical disagreements among "resistance" leaders underline their competition for prime real estate and local partners near the capital.
Feb 20, 2023
◆
  • Amir al-Kaabi
  • Michael Knights
  • Hamdi Malik
◆ Militia Spotlight
Brief Analysis
China’s Growing Naval Influence in the Middle East
​​​​​​​Current Chinese basing capacity and force commitment in the region seem insufficient to support the level of economic and diplomatic engagement that appears to be Beijing’s new normal, so Washington should prepare for further expansion.
Feb 17, 2023
◆
  • Blake Herzinger
  • Ben Lefkowitz
Iran Missile
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Iran’s Mounting Missile Threats to Neighboring Countries
Iran's ballistic missile program poses regional threats that require international solutions.
Feb 16, 2023
◆
  • Mohammad Abu Ghazleh
Negev Forum
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Morocco, Israel, and the Future of the Negev Forum
Morocco is preparing to host the upcoming Negev Forum summit, an opportunity for the Kingdom to expand economic ties and bridge regional divides.
Feb 16, 2023
◆
  • Mohamed Chtatou
An Iranian state-media photo of the Aghab-44 underground air base - source: Iran state media
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iran Unveils New Underground Air Base
The facility is seemingly intended for launching surprise maritime interdiction missions in the Persian Gulf region, mainly aimed at U.S. Fifth Fleet assets—though it probably won’t be able to accommodate Iran’s potential future fleet of Russian jets.
Feb 13, 2023
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
Burns Visit Libya
Fikra Forum
Fikra Forum
Takeaways from William Burns’ Surprise Visit to Libya
Burns met with both Dbeibeh and Haftar, likely to discuss key U.S. concerns such as the Lockerbie case, energy security, and terrorism.
Feb 13, 2023
◆
  • Mohamed Eljarh

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • First page « First
  • …
  • Page 19
  • Page 20
  • Page 21
  • Page 22
  • Current page 23
  • Page 24
  • Page 25
  • Page 26
  • Page 27
  • …
  • Last page Last »
  • Next page Next ›
Supported by the

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.

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

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.

Sign up

Featured experts

Michael Eisenstadt
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
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
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 - source: The Washington Institute
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.
Background image with TWI branding
logo
wordmark
Homepage

1111 19th Street NW - Suite 500
Washington D.C. 20036
Tel: 202-452-0650
Fax: 202-223-5364

Footer contact links

  • Contact
  • Press Room
  • Subscribe

The Washington Institute seeks to advance a balanced and realistic understanding of American interests in the Middle East and to promote the policies that secure them.

The Institute is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax-deductible.

Footer quick links

  • About TWI
  • Support the Institute
  • Alumni

Social media

  • The Washington Institute on Facebook facebook
  • The Washington Institute on X x
  • The Washington Institute on YouTube youtube
  • The Washington Institute on LinkedIn linkedin

© 2025 All rights reserved.

Footer

  • Employment
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rights & Permissions