U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Centering Iraq Policy on Human Rights and Fair Elections

The surest way to counter Iran’s malign influence is to proactively focus on human rights issues that the new prime minister can actually affect, such as organizing free elections and preventing further violence against protestors.

Feb 4, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Continuity vs. Overreach in the Trump Peace Plan (Part 1): Borders and Jerusalem

If the latest U.S. effort winds up backing the Palestinians into a territorial corner from the outset, then Washington may not be able to move the process any closer to direct negotiations.

Feb 4, 2020

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

A Steep Uphill Climb: Why Trump’s New Mideast Peace Plan Will Likely Harden the Israeli-Palestinian Divide

As currently constituted, the plan cannot be accepted by any Palestinian who cares about self-determination, but implementing some of its economic provisions might create room for negotiations down the road.

Feb 2, 2020

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Revealed at Last: Trump’s Israeli-Palestinian Peace Deal to End All Peace

Despite the applause in some quarters, the plan may wind up fostering tense conditions that are ripe for Palestinian violence.

Jan 28, 2020

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Neri Zilber

Brief Analysis

The White House Peace Plan Meeting: U.S. Goals, Israeli Repercussions

Whether they reveal a detailed plan or merely preview an aspirational document, U.S. officials still need to clarify their goals at a time when elections are looming and Palestinian participation seems highly unlikely.

Jan 24, 2020

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

U.S. Do’s and Don’ts in Iraq

To ensure that new protests, new sanctions, and new political leadership wind up helping rather than hindering Iraqi sovereignty, Washington must handle upcoming developments with great care.

Jan 23, 2020

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Europe Is Creating an Opportunity for Iran Talks, and Washington Should Take It

By triggering the nuclear deal’s dispute resolution mechanism, Britain, France, and Germany are opening diplomatic space that could help the United States and Iran return to the negotiating table.

Jan 17, 2020

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Elana DeLozier

Articles & Testimony

Death of a Sultan: Oman Matters, So Why Such a Slow U.S. Response?

Regional players will likely be testing Muscat in the next few months, so Washington needs to help ensure continuity between reigns.

Jan 14, 2020

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Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Why Soleimani’s Killing Is a Gift to Vladimir Putin

Both Trump and Khamenei need an off-ramp from the latest crisis, and Putin could well become the intermediary.

Jan 11, 2020

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

The DEA's Targeting of Hezbollah's Global Criminal Support Network

The head of the Counter-Narcoterrorism Operations Center discusses how the group uses drug trafficking and other schemes to fund its activities, and what the DEA is doing to stop it.

Jan 10, 2020

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John Fernandez

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Eight Reasons Why the United States and Iraq Still Need Each Other

A host of crucial multilateral interests are baked into the U.S. presence, from keeping the Islamic State down, to protecting vulnerable regional allies, to preventing Iran from taking Iraq's oil revenues.

Jan 9, 2020

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David Pollock

Russian president Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov

Brief Analysis

Russian Reactions to the U.S. Strike on Soleimani

State officials and media are condemning the incident, but Putin is well aware that his fragile role as regional mediator depends on treading carefully around Washington’s unpredictability.

Jan 7, 2020

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Anna Borshchevskaya

In-Depth Reports

Operating in the Gray Zone:

Countering Iran's Asymmetric Way of War

An in-depth look at how the Islamic Republic manages escalation in the gray zone between war and peace, leverages asymmetries to achieve disproportionate effects, and employs its hybrid force structure for maximum effect.

Jan 7, 2020

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

Mass funerals aside, his image as the quintessential Iranian nationalist made most Middle Easterners wary or actively hostile toward him, so the United States is unlikely to face popular reprisals following his death.

Jan 6, 2020

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

How Soleimani’s Killing Could Make a Stronger Iraq

As Iraq signals its willingness to evict U.S. forces following the airstrike, the time has come for discipline and a focus on shared interests.

Jan 5, 2020

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

How the Soleimani Assassination Could Pave the Way for a New Deal with Iran

What if U.S. officials took advantage of the moment and asked a trusted third party like Oman or Switzerland to test whether Tehran is ready for a quiet diplomatic initiative?

Jan 3, 2020

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Iraq Relations at a Crossroads: Policy Options

Washington should smartly employ tougher love in the coming months, working with other nations and Iraqi moderates to improve the country’s chances of recovery from militia rule.

Jan 2, 2020

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Assad Is Growing Stronger Under Trump’s Nonexistent Syria Policy

The Caesar Act will not put an end to the Syrian catastrophe so long as Washington keeps ceding political and military leverage to adversaries who do not care about human rights.

Dec 29, 2019

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Oula A. Alrifai

Articles & Testimony

The United States Can Offer the People of Lebanon and Iraq Something Tehran Can’t

Congress should offer conditional aid that forces Beirut and Baghdad to respond to their citizens’ grievances, many of which stem from Iranian-sponsored sectarianism, corruption, and violence.

Dec 24, 2019

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul

Brief Analysis

A Decisive Vote for Humanitarian Support in Syria

Renewing the UN cross-border mechanism is crucial to helping millions of needy Syrian civilians, preventing Russia and Assad from weaponizing aid deliveries, and safeguarding future international assistance efforts.

Dec 18, 2019

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Dana Stroul

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.

Michael Singh

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

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U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

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

Featured experts

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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