U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Iran’s Vulnerabilities to U.S. Sanctions (Part 1): Finding the Weak Spots

The regime’s most vulnerable point is its precarious banking system, whose persistent mismanagement, capital shortfalls, and lack of transparency have already sparked public protests.

Jun 14, 2018

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Patrick Clawson

Video

Brief Analysis

North Korea in the Middle East: A Dangerous Military Supply Line

Pyongyang has long threatened U.S. regional allies and interests with military support for terrorists, militias, and hostile regimes. Can a potential bilateral deal sever these supply lines?

Jun 12, 2018

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Anthony Ruggiero
Kongdan Oh
Jay Solomon

Articles & Testimony

Yemen Is Not a Sideshow

Curbing Iran's foreign meddling and ending the cycle of destructive fighting will require greater political engagement by the Trump administration.

Jun 12, 2018

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Barbara A. Leaf

Brief Analysis

Will U.S.-Turkish Progress on Manbij Lead to Wider Cooperation in Syria?

The feuding NATO allies have apparently agreed on a concrete roadmap for rolling back the Kurds, but broader strategic cooperation would require them to overcome tall political obstacles.

Jun 5, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Why Talks with the Turks Matter More Than Ever

U.S. and Turkish officials have four main security and legal disputes to work out, and the geopolitical stakes are immense.

Jun 4, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

China in the Middle East: Following in American Footsteps?

Growing great-power competition and a shift in American defense policy could create a power vacuum in the Middle East.

Jun 1, 2018

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Sanctions on Turkey: Reconciling Washington’s Diverging Views

Despite the deep-seated problems roiling the bilateral relationship, U.S. legislators need to understand the potentially dire geopolitical consequences of putting heavy pressure on a fellow NATO member.

Jun 1, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Articles & Testimony

U.S. Could Stop Turkey, Not Yet a Moscow Ally, From Caving to Russia

Washington can address Ankara's deep security concerns via Kurdish withdrawal from the Manbij pocket and ironclad guarantees against Russian aggression.

May 25, 2018

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Soner Cagaptay

Video

Brief Analysis

The Gulf's View on Washington's Plan B for Iran

Can Washington turn its Arab partners' favorable rhetoric on the administration's new Iran policy into concrete actions to curb Tehran's regional adventurism? Join us for an expert conversation and live webcast on Tuesday, June 5.

May 23, 2018

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Barbara A. Leaf
Ali Shihabi

Articles & Testimony

The Next Mideast Explosion

An all-out war between Iran and Israel is approaching, and the Trump administration has no strategy for preventing it.

May 20, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Give Palestinians Hope and Peace May Follow

Considering the Trump administration's lack of credibility with the Palestinians, the crucial task of announcing projects for Gaza now falls to European and Arab leaders.

May 19, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

The JCPOA Decision: Managing Reactions, Evaluating Sanctions

An expert panel assesses sanctions and the future of U.S. Iran strategy in light of the Trump administration's exit from the nuclear deal.

May 18, 2018

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Katherine Bauer
Patrick Clawson
Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Iraqi Elections and U.S. Interests: Taking the Long View

The emerging vote tallies are just the beginning of government formation in Iraq, and they indicate a need to focus on U.S. principles, not specific outcomes.

May 17, 2018

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Here's What Trump Should Do Post-Nuke Deal

The United States must explain to its allies how withdrawing from the Iran deal fits into a larger strategy for the Middle East.

May 17, 2018

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

The Hodeida Campaign (Part 3): Deterring Houthi Retaliation

The Houthis will likely try to intensify their cross-border missile strikes and other asymmetric tactics to internationalize the battle, steps the United States should firmly oppose.

May 16, 2018

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Farzin Nadimi
Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Has the Assad Regime 'Won' Syria's Civil War?

Not only is the war far from over, but a series of developments could undermine the regime's recent gains—and create opportunities for the United States.

May 15, 2018

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Michael Eisenstadt

Brief Analysis

The Hodeida Campaign (Part 2): Can Yemen Recapture Major Ports from the Houthi Rebels?

The United States should not interfere in the campaign, which has begun and stands a good chance of succeeding, except through steps to make the operation quicker and less destructive.

May 15, 2018

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Alex Almeida
Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

Iraqi Elections Deepen Political Fault Lines amid U.S.-Iran Tensions

The U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, along with the parliamentary gains made by former militia members, could turn Iraq once again into a war theater.

May 14, 2018

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Bilal Wahab

Articles & Testimony

Jerusalem Embassy Move, Gaza Fatalities Dim Hopes for U.S. Peace Plan

While the U.S. administration talks about a peace plan, the recent disruptions have deepened skepticism about its prospects for success.

May 14, 2018

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Ghaith al-Omari

Brief Analysis

The Hodeida Campaign (Part 1): Humanitarian and Political Role of Red Sea Ports

Hodeida and al-Salif will process substantially more food imports after the Houthis are evicted, so the United States should back some form of demilitarization of the ports or help liberate them.

May 14, 2018

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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.

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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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