U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

U.S. Public Diplomacy in Iran: Cutting Costs, Improving Impact

A more effective (and cost-effective) approach would give Iranians the tools they need to bypass regime monitoring, pare down low-impact television programming, and emphasize popular mobile apps.

Mar 21, 2022

◆

Arash Aalaei
Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Don’t Drop Iran’s Revolutionary Guards from FTO List

On paper, removing the IRGC from just one of several U.S. designation lists would have few if any legal implications—but it's still a terrible idea.

Mar 21, 2022

◆

Matthew Levitt

Brief Analysis

How Much Would Iran Gain Financially from Returning to the JCPOA?

A closer look at what funds would actually be accessible and what impact they would have on Iran’s economy.

Mar 16, 2022

◆

Katherine Bauer
Patrick Clawson

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Worldwide Water Crises: Israeli Innovations Can Help

The country’s cost-saving advances in drip irrigation, desalination, and water-from-air tech are already helping scores of countries address growing shortages.

Mar 11, 2022

◆

Shaina Katz

◆ Asset Test

Illustration of chess pieces and the Russian and Ukrainian flags - source: Reuters

Video

Brief Analysis

How Will the Ukraine Crisis Affect Middle East Policy?

Three experts discuss whether the war might alter Washington’s calculus on rapprochement with Turkey, regional military deployments, and wider great power competition.

Mar 10, 2022

◆

Anna Borshchevskaya
Soner Cagaptay
Grant Rumley

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in 2018 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Putin’s War Has Middle Eastern Countries Hedging Their Bets

Facing greater regional demands and limited resources, Washington will have to be more judicious in its obligations and more consistent in following through, lest its assurances fail to assure.

Mar 4, 2022

◆

David Schenker

Photo showing the image of a masked nurse projected onto Iran's Azadi Monument.

Video

Brief Analysis

COVID in the Middle East: Assessment on the Eve of Year Three

Leading public health experts take stock of the pandemic's regional outlook, discussing which approaches have been most effective in different jurisdictions while acknowledging the persistent limits of COVID data.

Mar 3, 2022

◆

Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis
Abraham Flaxman
Dr. Kamiar Alaei

Photo illustration of Russian Ruble banknotes with Chinese and Russian flags - Source:TWI/Reuters

Brief Analysis

A China-Russia SWIFT Alternative Will Not Undermine Iran Sanctions

There is no realistic prospect that Beijing and Moscow will establish a viable joint system that imminently and significantly reduces Tehran’s difficulties with accessing the international financial system.

Feb 25, 2022

◆

Steven Terner

In-Depth Reports

Three Presidents, Three Flawed Iran Policies, and the Path Ahead

News reports of a nearing breakthrough in the Iran nuclear talks will trigger sighs of relief, but the deal will likely prove disappointing on many fronts.

Feb 25, 2022

◆

Robert Satloff

Video

Brief Analysis

Targeting the Islamic State: Jihadist Military Threats and the U.S. Response

Two scholars of jihadism assess the group's evolving approaches to conventional and insurgent warfare, and U.S. options for combating them.

Feb 22, 2022

◆

Ido Levy
Craig Whiteside

Israeli and UAE flags flying together in Abu Dhabi - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Axis of Abraham: Arab-Israeli Normalization Could Remake the Middle East

The accords may point to a future in which the United States can do less in the region—but to get there, Washington must first do more.

March-April 2022

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

A Goldilocks Approach to Sanctioning Yemen’s Houthis

Although the group undoubtedly merits FTO designation, issuing targeted sanctions with broader UN buy-in may achieve better results without the humanitarian complications.

Feb 18, 2022

◆

Katherine Bauer

Articles & Testimony

Israel’s New Strategy: Why a Post-American Middle East Means a Greater Role in Regional Security

In strategic terms, at least, the United States is increasingly shifting its attention to Asia, but this may represent an opportunity for Israel as much as a challenge.

Feb 18, 2022

◆

Amos Yadlin
Assaf Orion

Articles & Testimony

The Third Age of Erdogan’s Foreign Policy

Turkey has been forced to adopt a new approach abroad, presenting a valuable opportunity that the United States and Europe need to seize quickly.

Feb 17, 2022

◆

Rich Outzen
Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

As China Thrives in the Post-9/11 Middle East, the US Must Counter

The West needs to radically alter its strategy for competing with Beijing in the region, particularly when it comes to economic stimulation, allied security blocs, and human rights.

Feb 16, 2022

◆

Jay Solomon

Israeli Prime Minister meets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Beyond Chastity Belt and Road

U.S.-Israel Relations in the Age of Great Power Competition

Israel’s ties to China have raised concerns in Washington, but select bilateral activity should be permissible in the context of an irreplaceable U.S.-Israel alliance.

Feb 6, 2022

◆

Assaf Orion

Articles & Testimony

Is It Time to Get Tough With Russia?

If Washington wants Putin to act differently, it must demonstrate less risk aversion, whether in Ukraine or in Middle East conflict zones like Syria and Iraq.

Jan 27, 2022

◆

Dennis Ross
Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

A Needed Warning for Yemen’s Rebels—and for Our Allies and Enemies Alike

Rarely has it been more important for Washington to show it will stand by a friend in response to an attack that could have resulted in many civilian casualties, including Americans.

Jan 24, 2022

◆

Dennis Ross

Police respond to a terrorist hostage-taking at a Texas synagogue - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Synagogue Hostage Crisis Reminds Us That Neo-Nazis Aren’t the Only Ones Targeting Jews

Although domestic extremism has emerged as a bigger homeland terrorist threat, the threat of jihadi violence from abroad remains acute.

Jan 19, 2022

◆

Matthew Levitt

A U.S. military helicopter evacuates personnel from the American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan

Articles & Testimony

Trading Places

After two decades of direct U.S. involvement, what went so wrong in Afghanistan compared to the relative successes seen in Iraq?

Jan 7, 2022

◆

David Pollock

Supported by the

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

The Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East focuses on the region as a setting for heightened competition between the United States and other world powers, such as China and Russia.

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.

Regions & Countries

Issues

U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

Regions & Countries

Issues

U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute