Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves from the steps of his official plan in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - source: Department of State

How to Match Ends and Means in the Middle East

To resolve crises like the Gaza war and Iran’s drive toward nuclear breakout, the Trump administration will need to rediscover the practice of statecraft and marshal the necessary allied help.

Mar 19, 2025

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Dennis Ross

Photo showing Gaza residents spinning sparklers at the start of Ramadan, March 2025.

Video

Brief Analysis

Gaza Phase 2: Sorting Out the Political and Security Scenarios

What do Palestinians, Israelis, and external players see as the best option for Gaza and its people now that the first phase of the ceasefire is complete?

Mar 14, 2025

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Neomi Neumann
Harel Chorev
Tamar Hermann
Ghaith al-Omari
David Schenker

Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. president Donald Trump at the White House - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Resetting U.S. Relations with the Palestinian Authority?

After boycotting Trump in his first term, Ramallah now seeks to improve the relationship, giving Washington an opening to address the PA’s shortcomings without distracting from other Middle East priorities.

Mar 12, 2025

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

Short-Lived U.S.-Hamas Talks Are a Cautionary Tale for Washington and Jerusalem

To maintain pressure on Hamas and preserve U.S. deterrence at a sensitive point in Gaza discussions, the Trump administration needs to lock in its diplomatic coordination and public messaging with Israel.

Mar 11, 2025

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Voluntary Refugee Resettlement: A Possible Solution to Clashing Visions for Gaza Reconstruction

Refocusing postwar plans on this concept could result in 40 percent or more of Gaza’s population leaving of their own accord—a prospect that should spur U.S. and Arab leaders to reconcile their differing proposals and expedite their preparations for reconstruction.

Mar 7, 2025

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Gaza: From Red to Blue

A “four-zone” reconstruction plan could win Arab, Israeli, and U.S. support while avoiding mass relocations out of Gaza.

Feb 28, 2025

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Dennis Ross
Assaf Orion

A Palestinian man in Gaza releases pigeons

Articles & Testimony

Why Israel Should Keep Open the Possibility of Palestinian Statehood

The supposed “status quo” that some commentators are pushing Israel to embrace is so disfigured and hollowed out that it no longer meets the definition of the phrase.

Feb 24, 2025

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

Two Arab Summits Hold the Key to a Viable Gaza Plan

Under heavy pressure from the Trump administration, the Arab states with the most to gain—and lose—in Gaza should be spending the next two weeks doing everything they can to reach consensus on bold, concrete counter-proposals.

Feb 19, 2025

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David Schenker
Ghaith al-Omari

A Palestinian views a building reduced to rubble in Gaza - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

When the Riviera Meets the Sumud: Why Palestinian Realities Don’t Mesh with Trump’s Gaza Plan

Trump’s vision to transform Gaza is based on economic and utilitarian considerations, but it fails to take into account the Palestinian connection to the land, which remains a central component of Palestinian national identity.

Feb 18, 2025

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Neomi Neumann

Protesters in New York City demand the release of U.S. citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Trump Gives a Green Light to Resume Fighting in Gaza—But Does Netanyahu Want to Do It Now?

A hostage ultimatum from Washington seemed to provide Netanyahu with the freedom of action he wanted, but Israeli domestic realities may not allow him to break the ceasefire just yet.

Feb 11, 2025

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

King Abdullah Must Show Trump Practical Arab Ideas for Gaza

Although the president should avoid cornering such an important ally on an issue as risky as Palestinian relocation, the king will need to present his own concrete ideas about postwar Gaza in order to avoid a confrontation with Washington.

Feb 10, 2025

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

How Trump, Arab Leaders, and Israel Can Close the Gaps on Gaza

Despite its risks for regional stability and U.S. policy, the president’s Gaza proposal has put this issue at the top of the priority list.

Feb 7, 2025

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

A view of a Palestinian neighborhood reduced to rubble in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Criticizing Trump Isn’t Enough. Arab Leaders Need a Counterproposal

Moving forward with an alternative Gaza plan may not be the president’s first choice, but he could at least take credit for getting Arab states to take action.

Feb 6, 2025

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Dennis Ross

Aerial view of the site of an Israeli-Hamas prisoner-hostage swap in Gaza in January 2025 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Path to a Transformed Middle East: How to Keep the Peace in Gaza While Countering Iran

Very close allied coordination will be needed to strike the right balance between pursuing viable nuclear diplomacy and giving Israel the weapons and support it needs to use force against Iran if necessary.

Feb 3, 2025

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Dennis Ross
David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

From October 7 to the Gaza Ceasefire: A Changed Middle East Awaits the Trump Administration

Important strategic changes abound in the region, but policymakers should take care not to underestimate the persistence of old challenges or the potential emergence of new threats.

Jan 31, 2025

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Neomi Neumann

Brief Analysis

Brinkmanship Over Israel’s Ban on UNRWA

Rather than using the months since the passage of new laws as an opportunity to agree on a more gradual implementation plan and identify alternatives to the controversial relief agency, the parties have simply dug in their heels.

Jan 28, 2025

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Hamas May Be Cheering, But It Is Writhing in Pain

All the talk of Hamas emerging from the war with the upper hand contradicts the realities on the ground, where the group has lost its military capabilities, has no hope of substantial outside help, and has failed to ignite the West Bank.

Jan 26, 2025

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Ehud Yaari

Brief Analysis

Opening the Floodgates: The Gaza Deal and Trump’s Presidency

The ceasefire is already shaking up Israel’s politics and high command; prompt, well-coordinated action with Washington could help counter threats on several external fronts as well.

Jan 24, 2025

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Assaf Orion

A photo of Palestinians watching President Biden's announcement of the Gaza ceasefire deal, January 2025.

Video

Brief Analysis

Gaza Ceasefire: Implications for Israel, Hamas, and U.S. Policy

Former Israeli and U.S. officials discuss the deal’s timing, provisions, and near-term prospects, outlining the Trump administration’s practical options for advancing peace in Gaza and beyond.

Jan 22, 2025

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Dennis Ross
Matthew Levitt
Neomi Neumann

Articles & Testimony

What the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire in Gaza Means for the Middle East

Netanyahu likely wanted to start off on a good foot with Trump—not just out of fear, but because Israel has its eyes on a much wider allied agenda in the region.

Jan 17, 2025

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David Makovsky

Supported by the

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Through moments of hope and challenge in the Middle East diplomacy, The Washington Institute's Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations is committed to providing America's policymakers with timely analysis on issues of critical concern to Israel and its Arab neighbors.

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Featured experts

Ghaith al-Omari

Ghaith al-Omari is the Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Senior Fellow in The Washington Institute's Irwin Levy Family Program on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship.

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 Peace Process

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