U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Tehran's International Targets: Assessing Iranian Terror Sponsorship

The State Department's top counterterrorism official discusses the Trump administration's latest actions against those who facilitate Iranian terrorist activity.

Nov 13, 2018

◆

Nathan Sales

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Video

Brief Analysis

New Data on Iraqi Political Trends:

Parsing the Regional Implications

Watch an in-depth conversation with Iraqi experts who share and assess surprising new polling results about Iraqi public opinion.

Nov 8, 2018

◆

Munqith Dagher
Ahmed Ali
David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

Egypt and Washington: Challenges in the Sisi Era

Two experts discuss how Washington can balance its sometimes conflicting interests in Egyptian security and human rights.

Nov 7, 2018

◆

Barak Barfi
Michele Dunne

Articles & Testimony

Is a Ceasefire Possible in Yemen?

Washington is launching a seemingly determined effort to end the war, but are Iran and its Houthi allies ready to compromise with their enemies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE?

Nov 6, 2018

◆

Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

New Governments in Iraq and Kurdistan: A Trip Report

Four experts who recently returned from Baghdad and Erbil report on the results of the government formation process.

Nov 6, 2018

◆

Kenneth Pollack
Nussaibah Younis
Michael Knights
Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Saudi Security Cooperation (Part 2): Restricting Operational Support in Yemen

The United States should keep training and advising Saudi forces if they meet certain conditions, but it should end refueling support to Saudi aircraft operating near Yemen.

Nov 6, 2018

◆

Michael Knights
August Pfluger

Brief Analysis

U.S.-Saudi Security Cooperation (Part 1): Conditioning Arms Sales to Build Leverage

Washington should continue its selective approach to restricting the delivery of certain offensive weapons, yet leave defensive procurement on track.

Nov 5, 2018

◆

Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

The Iran Deal Pullout: How Will Tehran Respond?

What can the Trump administration do to shape Iran’s choices?

Nov 1, 2018

◆

Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

U.S. Officials Push for Yemen Talks

Washington’s abrupt change in tone could bolster the UN envoy’s efforts to end the fighting and convene negotiations sooner rather than later.

Oct 31, 2018

◆

Elana DeLozier
August Pfluger

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Procurement Channel (Part 2): The Clandestine Factor

Trying to stop Iran’s nuclear proliferation is a task better suited to allied intelligence services than customs authorities and procurement channels.

Oct 31, 2018

◆

Elana DeLozier
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Iran’s Procurement Channel (Part 1): Salvaging Nonproliferation Gains While Reimposing Sanctions

Washington can use sanctions as leverage to demand more vigilance from JCPOA signatories even as it allows certain useful procurements.

Oct 30, 2018

◆

Katherine Bauer
Elana DeLozier

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Must Impose a Price on Saudis, But One With a Clear Purpose

Rather than limiting itself to half-measures, Washington should suspend the delivery of offensive weapons and take other steps that convince Riyadh to change the way it operates.

Oct 30, 2018

◆

Dennis Ross

Brief Analysis

Iran’s ‘Resistance’ Bloc Rises amid New U.S. Sanctions

Hardliners see the latest pressure as proof that defiance works better than compromise—an attitude they are likely to change only if the pressure intensifies.

Oct 29, 2018

◆

Mehdi Khalaji

Articles & Testimony

A Window of Opportunity Has Just Opened in Iraq. Will the U.S. Act?

The triumvirate of leaders to emerge from this year’s elections are strongly associated with nonsectarian, pragmatic government.

Oct 27, 2018

◆

Bilal Wahab

Brief Analysis

Delicate Diplomacy in Western Sahara

As the UN mulls the future of the peacekeeping mission, Washington should proceed cautiously in encouraging negotiations to avoid undermining essential alliances.

Oct 18, 2018

◆

Sarah Feuer

Articles & Testimony

Why the Release of Pastor Andrew Brunson Is a Good Sign for U.S.-Turkey Ties

Differences remain between Trump and Erdogan, but the two leaders are now talking again about vital issues such as Russian missile purchases, Syrian jihadists, and the Gulen movement.

Oct 18, 2018

◆

Soner Cagaptay

President Donald Trump meeting with King Salman in Saudi Arabia in 2017 - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Of Course Saudi Arabia’s Leader Doesn’t Fear U.S. Fury. We Give Him Everything He Wants.

With friends like these in Washington, no wonder the crown prince believes he can get away with outrageous actions.

Oct 17, 2018

◆

Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Saudi Arabia’s Ruler Should Understand That the Ends Don’t Justify the Means

Invoking the Magnitsky Act would send a clear signal that some actions are irreconcilable with global norms and Riyadh’s own transformative vision.

Oct 11, 2018

◆

Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

How Trump Can Get a Better Deal on Iran

The United States needs to keep Europe on board, go beyond sanctions, and ensure lasting bipartisan support for its new policy.

Oct 10, 2018

◆

Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Washington Should Reverse Its Retreat in Basra

The shuttering of a vital U.S. diplomatic outpost in Iraq sends all the wrong signals about America’s resolve to push back against Iran’s malign activities.

Oct 10, 2018

◆

Michael Knights

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.

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.

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

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

Sign Up for Email Updates from The Washington Institute

Featured experts