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:

Brief Analysis
Iran Seems Prepared for Major—But Measured—Escalation in the Gulf
The latest round of shipping attacks could be another notch in Tehran’s controlled military response to U.S. pressure, and bolder escalatory actions should be expected given the bleak outlook for negotiations.
Jun 14, 2019
◆
  • Farzin Nadimi
Brief Analysis
Houthi Messaging May Hint at a Targeting Pattern
The Yemeni group appears to select targets directly inspired by its principal complaints, potentially helping security officials protect against future attacks while negotiators promote overall de-escalation.
Jun 13, 2019
◆
  • Elana DeLozier
Brief Analysis
What to Expect from the U.S.-Russia Meeting in Jerusalem
Ultimately, no deal is better than a bad deal, and Moscow’s track record in Syria suggests it is both unable and unwilling to keep Iran out.
Jun 12, 2019
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Brief Analysis
The Face-Off Over Gulf Arms Sales: ‘Emergency’ or False Alarm?
As Congress questions whether certain arms sales merit emergency treatment, the White House may have opened a Pandora’s box of long-term consequences for legislative oversight, Gulf relations, and defense profits.
Jun 10, 2019
◆
  • Dana Stroul
Brief Analysis
Reshuffling Iraqi Generals: Who Benefits?
Three top commanders have been replaced in northern areas where Iran-backed militias are trying to outmuscle the regular security forces. Washington should find out why.
Jun 6, 2019
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Alex Almeida
Multimedia
Brief Analysis
The Ends of Iran: Next Steps for Tehran and Its Neighbors
The former head of U.S. naval operations in the Gulf joins two military and diplomatic experts for a discussion on Iran's strategic calculus, allied perspectives, and Washington's policy options.
May 30, 2019
◆
  • Michael Eisenstadt
  • John Miller
  • Barbara A. Leaf
Brief Analysis
Are Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah Trying to Reprise Syria in Venezuela?
U.S. rivals are diversifying their support for the Maduro government in familiar fashion, whether to parry the United States, exploit the crisis for profit, or both.
May 23, 2019
◆
  • Jay Solomon
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Deceptive Nuclear Messaging
Tehran’s decision to renege on some of its nuclear commitments heralds a new period of disturbingly ambiguous announcements.
May 23, 2019
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Brief Analysis
Responding to Iranian Harassment of U.S. Facilities in Iraq
Tehran has reportedly told its militia proxies to be ready for escalation, so Washington must prepare to maintain a full presence in Iraq even under potentially increased fire.
May 21, 2019
◆
  • Michael Knights
Maps & Graphics
The Shia Militia Mapping Project
Explore a comprehensive interactive map of Shia militias across the Middle East, charting their location, movements, ties to Iran, and involvements in conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
May 20, 2019
◆
  • Phillip Smyth
Multimedia
Brief Analysis
2019 Zeev Schiff Memorial Lecture on Middle East Security
Israeli Security Today: Facing Multiple Challenges on Multiple Fronts
The IDF's former top general discusses Russia’s role in advancing security goals in Syria, ongoing Israeli concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the humanitarian imperative of keeping a lid on Hamas and Hezbollah, and more.
May 17, 2019
◆
  • Gadi Eisenkot
◆ Zeev Schiff Memorial Lectures
Brief Analysis
Rumors of War: Responding to Iranian Pushback in the Gulf
Washington should reduce tensions, open lines of communication, and restore deterrence, though managing the contradictions between these objectives will be challenging.
May 17, 2019
◆
  • Michael Eisenstadt
  • Farzin Nadimi
Brief Analysis
If Syria Safe-Zone Talks Fail: How the SDF Might Respond to Turkish Intervention
The Kurdish-led force cannot hold the northeast on its own, and withdrawing coalition support would bolster Assad and Moscow’s interests.
May 17, 2019
◆
  • John Holland-McCowan
Articles & Testimony
Russian Activities in Africa
An in-depth look at Putin’s economic, military, and diplomatic outreach to the continent, which has extended well past North African states following his successful power play in Syria.
May 16, 2019
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Articles & Testimony
The Conflict in Libya
To ensure an outcome that benefits U.S. interests in the region, Washington must take a concrete position on Libya that leads to peaceful negotiations rather than armed conflict.
May 15, 2019
◆
  • Ben Fishman
Brief Analysis
Saudi Oil in Iran’s Crosshairs
Attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia’s main internal pipeline have accelerated the emerging Gulf crisis and could cause prices to spike worldwide.
May 14, 2019
◆
  • Simon Henderson
Maps & Graphics
Brief Analysis
No More Turkish Veto on Idlib Offensive?
Ankara’s calculations about the rebel province appear to have shifted, though it still hopes to use the situation as leverage for constraining the YPG and preventing another refugee influx.
May 14, 2019
◆
  • Fabrice Balanche
Brief Analysis
If Iran Deploys Missiles in Iraq: U.S.-Israeli Response Options
If Iran duplicates its formula from Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen by sending long-range missiles to Iraq, then future conflicts with Israel would likely include military action on Iraqi soil.
May 13, 2019
◆
  • Michael Knights
  • Assaf Orion
Articles & Testimony
Moscow in the Middle East and North Africa
To counter Russia’s long game, Washington must show its willingness to compete by maintaining a credible regional presence, crafting a clearer message about its intentions, and moving beyond sanctions.
May 9, 2019
◆
  • Anna Borshchevskaya
Brief Analysis
Iran’s Six Potential Nuclear Steps
Hoping to pressure Europe into providing more concessions, Tehran may threaten to reduce its commitments under the nuclear deal, but can it avoid escalation with Washington while doing so?
May 7, 2019
◆
  • Omer Carmi

Pagination

  • Previous page ‹ Previous
  • First page « First
  • …
  • Page 54
  • Page 55
  • Page 56
  • Page 57
  • Current page 58
  • Page 59
  • Page 60
  • Page 61
  • Page 62
  • …
  • 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