U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Exploring Russia's Views on Humanitarian Aid in Syria

With the UN Security Council set to vote on whether to extend UN cross-border aid efforts into northwest Syria, Russia is once again poised to jeopardize humanitarian assistance to the 4.1 million civilians who rely on this lifeline to survive.

Jan 4, 2023

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Jonathan Robinson

Crown Prince Muhammad and President Xi walking in Riyadh.

Brief Analysis

Assessing Xi Jinping’s Middle East Trip

His discussions on nuclear proliferation, energy markets, defense cooperation, and other issues offered numerous contrasts with President Biden’s summer meetings in Saudi Arabia—as well as some unexpected criticism of Iran.

Dec 22, 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber
Eric Feely
Sarah Cahn
Sude Akgundogdu
Lauren von Thaden
Faris Almaari

Fikra Forum

New Egyptian Opinion Poll: Continued Dissatisfaction with Government Performance, Almost Half Reject Mass Protests, and Mixed Views on Foreign Relations

The most recent poll results from Egypt suggest a disconnect between public opinion and pubic policy, especially on economic concerns and relations with Israel.

Dec 21, 2022

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Mohamed Abdelaziz

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmon durnig a meeting with Russian President Vladimor Putin in Rihady - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Saudi Prisoner Diplomacy During the Ukraine War

Washington and Riyadh once again seem unable to keep their misunderstandings private, but the Saudi crown prince has proven his ability to mediate certain U.S.-Russian disputes if called on.

Dec 20, 2022

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Bennett Neuhoff

Fikra Forum

New UAE Poll Shows Nuance on Domestic Issues; Growing Public Uncertainty over U.S. Relations; Split Views of Iran & Israel

Although many results are consistent with past polling, the most recent Emirati survey reveals interesting perspectives on Iran, the economy, and other issues.

Dec 20, 2022

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Catherine Cleveland

Fikra Forum

New Lebanon Opinion Poll Shows Continued Internal Dissatisfaction and Desire for International Partners

Lebanese respondents expressed positive views of the maritime deal and World Cup in Qatar, but seemed disappointed by almost everything else.

Dec 20, 2022

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Frances McDonough

Fikra Forum

New Saudi Poll: Some Surprises on the U.S., Iran, Israel, Oil, and More

Saudis voiced their thoughts on global partners, internal dynamics, and regional issues, including opinions on the Iranian protests and nuclear dilemma.

Dec 16, 2022

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David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

Iran's Nuclear Proliferation Strategy: U.S. Policy Options

Three experts discuss how Washington might feasibly attempt to steer Tehran away from actively pursuing nuclear weapons.

Dec 16, 2022

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Michael Eisenstadt
Mahsa Rouhi
Suzanne Maloney

Fikra Forum

Perpetrators of Stephen Troell’s Killing in Baghdad Remain Unknown

The circumstances surrounding Troell's death in November clearly indicate that the murder is tied to political infighting and the ongoing issue of armed militias in Iraq.

Dec 15, 2022

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Mohanad Faris

Biden Summit for Democracy 2021, Tunisia media protesters, Egyptian democracy workshop

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Reexamining U.S. Aid to the Middle East:

Ideas for Advancing Both Governance and Democracy

Massive U.S. investment has failed to improve outcomes since the Arab Spring uprisings. A more targeted, sensitive approach could yield better results and promote regional stability.

Dec 14, 2022

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Ben Fishman

◆ Reform, Protest, Change

A supporter of Tunisia's Islamist Ennahda Party protests against the Tunisian president's 2022 coup - source: Reuters

Fikra Forum

Tunisia: Caught Between the IMF and International Isolation

In the absence of strong international support, Tunisians have been left to face the worsening political and economic crises on their own

Dec 12, 2022

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Maher Latif

Articles & Testimony

Navigating China’s Security Presence in the Middle East and North Africa

Regional governments will continue to balance between Beijing and Washington, so policymakers should focus on tipping the scale in America’s favor, countering the narrative of U.S. withdrawal, and avoiding unnecessary escalation with China.

Winter 2022

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Grant Rumley
Carol Silber

Turkish president Erdogan at NATO headquarters in Brussels

Fikra Forum

Sweden, Turkey, and the Concessions for NATO Membership

Turkey's refusal to approve Sweden's NATO membership is yet another foreign policy tool being used by Erdoğan ahead of 2023 elections.

Dec 9, 2022

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Magnus Norell

Fikra Forum

The Regional Impact of Iran’s Drones in Ukraine

Russia's use of Iranian drones in Ukraine foreshadows potentially dangerous developments for U.S. forces and their allies in the Middle East.

Dec 7, 2022

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Omar al-Radad

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit in Beijing - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

The Middle East in a Multipolar Era: Why America’s Allies Are Flirting With Russia and China

Because many states are eschewing both alignment with a single great power and nonalignment, the best U.S. response to this “omni-alignment” is creating more tailored opportunities for high-value cooperation with Washington.

Dec 7, 2022

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Michael Singh

Ukrainian soldiers pose with a captured Russian military vehicle - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Only Russia’s Decisive Loss on the Battlefield Will End the Ukraine War

The West hasn’t shown signs of abandoning Ukraine in the near term, but it also hasn’t set a clear goal of permanently changing Moscow’s strategic calculus, which remains fixed on winning the long game.

Dec 6, 2022

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Fikra Forum

KRG and PA: Reprioritizing Governance over Symbolism

Although Palestinian and Kurdish politics have similarly deteriorated into ineffective blame games, fresh U.S. policies focused on institution-building could restore the promise of progress in both cases.

Dec 2, 2022

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Ghaith al-Omari
Bilal Wahab

Fikra Forum

The Tenacity of Young Iranians in the Protest Movement

Despite the regime's crackdown, Iranian protestors are showing unprecedented resilience and unity in their demands, making the international community's next steps even more crucial.

Nov 29, 2022

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Haleh Esfandiari

An Iranian soccer fan protests at a World Cup game in Qatar - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Team Melli vs. Team USA: Iran’s Game of Contradictions

The regime’s often-hypocritical handling of this year’s World Cup comes to a head with a matchup against the United States, and a political victory seems unattainable regardless of the results on the field.

Nov 29, 2022

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Mehdi Khalaji

Eisenstadt monograph cover; U.S. "Plumbbob Hood" nuclear weapons test, 1957

Maps & Graphics

In-Depth Reports

Iran's Nuclear Hedging Strategy:

Shaping the Islamic Republic's Proliferation Calculus

Tehran’s willingness to pause aspects of its nuclear program may offer opportunities to stoke regime concerns about the potential costs of moving forward.

Nov 29, 2022

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Michael Eisenstadt

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.

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Featured experts

Robert Satloff

Robert Satloff is the Segal Executive Director of The Washington Institute, a post he assumed in January 1993.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Dana Stroul

Dana Stroul is Director of Research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Michael Singh

Michael Singh is the Managing Director and Lane-Swig Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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