U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Presidential Elections in the United States: Political and Economic Consequences for Europe

There is greater American bipartisan consensus on national security strategy than Washington’s fractious politics would indicate, creating ample room for transatlantic cooperation on that front.

December 2020

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Yemen Policy From the Inside Out

The conflict continues because none of the local parties is strong enough to win, weak enough to lose, or incentivized toward peace, but the Biden administration can do something about the latter problem.

Dec 15, 2020

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Elana DeLozier

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

The Evolving National Security Threat Landscape: Treasury's Expanding Toolkit

A senior Treasury official explains the department's growing mission to prevent terrorists, proliferators, human rights violators, and corrupt government officials from abusing the global financial system.

Dec 15, 2020

Articles & Testimony

Erdogan Will Play Biden, But Stick to Putin

The new U.S. administration will have a brief, early window to exert leverage, but Erdogan’s asymmetric relationship with Moscow may keep him from substantially altering Turkish policy on the S-400 dispute and regional issues.

Dec 9, 2020

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Should Take a Strategic View Towards Iraq

The country need not be a top foreign policy priority, but the Biden administration would be wise to invest in Iraqi security, unity, and democracy amid competition with Russia, China, and Iran.

Dec 8, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Video

Brief Analysis

The Counterterrorism Role of Homeland Security Investigations

A closer look at the inner workings of HSI, a little-known agency with unique authorities that are instrumental in solving numerous terrorism cases every year.

Dec 3, 2020

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Louis Rodi

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Washington Pushes to End the Qatar Rift

Successful diplomacy could enhance Arab normalization with Israel and boost U.S. efforts to counter Iran, but it is unclear if Riyadh wants to bargain now or wait for Joe Biden.

Dec 1, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Forecasting U.S.-UAE Relations Under the New Biden Administration

From addressing Iranian threats to mending rifts with Qatar and Turkey, the sound bilateral partnership on regional issues will likely thrive in the Biden era, albeit with some marginal adjustments by both governments.

Dec 1, 2020

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David Pollock

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei delivers public remarks.

Brief Analysis

Khamenei Speech Sets the Boundaries of Engagement with the West

In his first major address since Joe Biden’s election, the Supreme Leader downplayed the prospect of negotiating an end to U.S. sanctions, instead urging Iranian officials to focus on increasing the country’s self-reliance and solving its deep economic problems.

Nov 30, 2020

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Omer Carmi

In-Depth Reports

Iran's 2021 Presidential Vote and the Tightening of Regime Control

Joe Biden's victory in America may herald a measure of de-escalation with Iran, but the Supreme Leader is unlikely to be moved. Ayatollah Khamenei does not really distinguish between Democratic and Republican intentions—after all, he agreed to a nuclear deal with the Obama administration only to see President Trump tear

Nov 23, 2020

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Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

How Biden Can Restore America’s Role Abroad

Doing so means finding the right mix of hard and soft power, creating new mechanisms with democratic allies, and answering hard questions about various countries and conflicts in the Middle East.

Nov 20, 2020

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Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Cairo’s Concerns About a Biden Presidency

Egyptian leaders fear that his administration will openly confront them on human rights and enable an Islamist resurgence, but the outlook is brighter for engagement on Turkey, Israel, and other issues.

Nov 18, 2020

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Haisam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

Biden Can’t Avoid Erdogan, But He Can Keep the U.S.-Turkish Relationship on Track

Turkey’s leader has caused many headaches in Washington in recent years, but letting ties deteriorate further would be disastrous.

Nov 17, 2020

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Michael Singh
Sinan Ulgen

Articles & Testimony

On Israel-Palestine, Biden Is Not Just Another Version of Obama

A veteran Israeli official explains how the next administration will differ from its predecessors and why immediate consultations between Biden and Netanyahu’s teams are crucial.

Nov 9, 2020

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Michael Herzog

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

America Votes, the Middle East Reacts: Views on U.S. Elections from Across the Region

Experts from the Gulf, Egypt, Turkey, and Israel respond to the initial voting results and discuss factors that may help or hinder the next administration.

Nov 9, 2020

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Abdulrahman al-Rashed
Mohamed Anwar E. al-Sadat
Asli Aydintasbas
David Horovitz

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, gestures while speaking

Brief Analysis

What Does Iran’s Supreme Leader Expect from the Next U.S. President?

Ayatollah Khamenei is wholly focused on preserving the political system he has so painstakingly built, but trends suggest a shaky Iranian future regardless of who wins the U.S. election.

Oct 23, 2020

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Mehdi Khalaji

Brief Analysis

Keeping Down a Diminished Islamic State:

The Prospect of an October Surprise Attack

The relatively low risk underscores the importance of Washington’s continued pressure to curtail the jihadist group’s strike capability outside its areas of operation.

Oct 20, 2020

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Ido Levy

In-Depth Reports

Prospects for Syrian Kurdish Unity: Assessing Local and Regional Dynamics

In October 2019, the U.S. troop withdrawal and subsequent Turkish invasion of northern Syria upended Kurdish plans in the region. But a year later, the major Syrian Kurdish rivals—the Democratic Union Party (PYD) and Kurdish National Council (KNC)—are coming together after a lengthy estrangement. This past June, representatives from the

Oct 19, 2020

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Sirwan Kajjo

Brief Analysis

Tehran Eyes Lifting of Arms Embargo

The regime senses a major win in the forthcoming move, perceiving an isolated and weakened United States and opportunities for escalation on many fronts.

Oct 16, 2020

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Farzin Nadimi

Brief Analysis

Risks of the Palestinian Authority’s Outreach to Qatar and Turkey

Recent gestures, which have included reconciliation talks with Hamas, could strengthen the PA’s Gaza-based rival, further strain relations with its traditional Arab allies, and spur elections with destabilizing results.

Oct 13, 2020

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Ghaith al-Omari

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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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.

Michael Singh

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

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Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

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

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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

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