Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

Photo of Arab officials meeting to discuss the Gaza crisis, February 2024.

From War to Peace? Trip Report from a Middle East Study Tour

Former legislators and administration officials discuss their findings from a recent group trip to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and the PA.

Feb 27, 2024

◆

Cory Gardner
Howard Berman
Dana Stroul
Ghaith al-Omari
Michael Singh

Israelis protest demanding the release of hostages held by Hamas - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

From War to Peace in the Middle East? Observations from a Regional Tour

The Washington Institute’s executive director reflects on the feasibility of the Biden administration’s current diplomatic plans in the region, based in part on what local officials said during his recent group trip to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and the PA.

Feb 23, 2024

◆

Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Without Enforcement, Talk of Two States Is Hollow

Most Israelis would support a deal if they were sure it would bring them security, but their current skepticism is based on real and urgent concerns about demilitarization given their past experience with Gaza and Lebanon.

Feb 16, 2024

◆

David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Sinwar, Mashal, and Israel’s Dilemma for the “Day After”

The long-term political struggle against Hamas will be just as challenging for Israel as the current military campaign.

Feb 9, 2024

◆

Neomi Neumann

Israeli flag, Hezbollah flag, implied Lebanon border

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Reinforcing U.S. Diplomacy to Stop a Hezbollah-Israel War

Only a comprehensive initiative aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s influence both within Lebanon and in the region stands a chance of delivering peace for the long term.

Feb 8, 2024

◆

Hanin Ghaddar

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

Articles & Testimony

The Road to Peace in Gaza:

A Veteran Negotiator’s Plan

For opportunity to emerge from tragedy, two bridges must be built: one leading from the current situation to the “day after” the war, and a second creating a viable path to a Palestinian state.

Feb 5, 2024

◆

Dennis Ross

Leaders assemble for the France-sponsored Baghdad Conference in August 2021 - source: Government of Iraq

Brief Analysis

France’s Diplomatic Role in the Middle East Post-October 7

In Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond, Paris continues to favor multilateral approaches that incorporate key regional partners, though it understands Washington’s paramount role in achieving regional stability.

Feb 2, 2024

◆

Selin Uysal

Articles & Testimony

Beijing’s Passive-Aggressive Middle East Policy

The real threat to U.S. interests in the region isn’t rising Chinese influence, but the erosion of Washington's influence.

Jan 28, 2024

◆

Michael Singh

Destruction from the Israeli strike on Hamas targets at the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza.

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

How Hamas Manipulates Gaza Fatality Numbers:

Examining the Male Undercount and Other Problems

International media and NGOs have repeated the group's figures without caveats, giving credence to suspicions of Israeli misconduct and fueling accusations of war crimes and even genocide.

Jan 25, 2024

◆

Gabriel Epstein

Articles & Testimony

For All That Changed, Hamas Is Still Hamas

Two decades after a landmark study on the group, it is clear that Hamas leaders never truly strayed from their core principle of prioritizing Israel’s destruction over the well-being of fellow Palestinians.

Jan 22, 2024

◆

Matthew Levitt

Then Vice President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2010 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Domestic Disagreements Limit Netanyahu’s Options with Washington

The Israeli cabinet’s internal differences over war priorities, the PA’s role, and Arab diplomacy are affecting relations with the White House.

Jan 19, 2024

◆

David Makovsky

Secretary of State Antony Blinken places a tile that reads "Light in the darkness" on a wall at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, October 14, 2023.

Brief Analysis

Not Day After, Day During: Blinken Visits Israel

His trip will not bridge all bilateral differences over the war, but its success can be measured by how it deals with urgent short-term issues while deferring key postwar matters.

Jan 8, 2024

◆

David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

The Limits of U.S. Influence Over Israel

President Biden’s popularity with the Israeli public gives him leverage, but placing conditions on U.S. aid would likely backfire.

Dec 28, 2023

◆

Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Growing Internal Tensions Between Hamas Leaders

Kept in the dark about key aspects of the October 7 attack, the group’s external leaders are now jockeying for position in postwar arrangements that they may not have enough power to shape.

Dec 21, 2023

◆

Ehud Yaari
Matthew Levitt

Police walk past the Palestinian Legislative Council in Ramallah

Brief Analysis

Why a West Bank Front Has Not Opened So Far

The older generation remains skeptical of what an intifada might achieve, but Israeli crackdowns and worsening economic conditions could still ignite younger Palestinians and undermine PA security cooperation.

Dec 13, 2023

◆

Neomi Neumann

Articles & Testimony

A Ceasefire Will Not End the Israel-Palestine Conflict

A bad peace that does not address the wider issue of Hamas violence would only defer the war to a later date.

Dec 9, 2023

◆

David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

Ending the War

Laying the groundwork for an eventual Hamas surrender would break the current binary choice between more destructive conflict and an ineffectual ceasefire.

Dec 1, 2023

◆

Robert Satloff
Dennis Ross

Chinese and U.S. flags flutter at a trade meeting in Shanghai

Brief Analysis

Why China Is Taking Sides Against Israel—and Why It Will Likely Backfire

Beijing’s sharply anti-Israel response to the Gaza conflict, prompted by its increased focus on challenging Washington, exposes the limits of its diplomatic reach in the Middle East and the broader tensions in its foreign policy strategy.

Nov 29, 2023

◆

Michael Singh

A masked Hamas fighter brandishes a rifle in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Road to October 7: Hamas’ Long Game, Clarified

An in-depth look at the group’s post-2007 activities confirms that it was steadily preparing the ground (and the population) for war while lulling foreign officials into awaiting a moderation that would never come.

Oct-Nov 2023

◆

Devorah Margolin
Matthew Levitt

Photo of a Palestinian baby evacuated to an Israeli hospital during the 2023 Gaza war.

Articles & Testimony

How the Washington Post Turned a Feel-Good Story into an Anti-Israel Attack

Despite not taking the time to speak with Israeli officials or even verify key details on the ground, reporters proceeded with a heavily slanted piece that raised further questions about the paper’s wartime editorial policies.

Nov 21, 2023

◆

Robert Satloff

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.

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.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Featured experts

Regions & Countries

Issues

Peace Process

Policy Analysis on Peace Process

Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts