U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

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

Articles & Testimony

Trump Broke Iran Policy. Let Him Fix It.

The administration doesn’t seem to have a day-after strategy for drawing the Europeans back into the fold after essentially rejecting months of negotiations with them.

May 11, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Is Washington Too Focused on Iran’s Nuclear Program?

What the United States really needs is a new Iran policy, not just a nuclear policy—and the will to roll up its sleeves and carry it out.

May 9, 2018

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

The 2011 U.S. Withdrawal from Iraq: Relevance for Syria Today

This time around, a total pullout could draw U.S. allies Israel, Turkey, and even Saudi Arabia into confused combat against Assad’s alliance, without an American referee.

May 8, 2018

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Israel’s Intel Coup Actually Provides Good Arguments for Staying in the Iran Nuclear Deal

Historically, outside pressure on Iran has been most effective when Washington acts with its allies rather than on its own, and the recent intelligence revelations support the former path.

May 5, 2018

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

If Trump Pulls Out of the Iran Deal, What’s Our New Strategy?

Withdrawal alone doesn’t offer a means of keeping Iran from nuclear weapons, responding to reactions from friends and adversaries, or clarifying the administration’s wider regional objectives.

May 1, 2018

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Robert Satloff

Protesters hold Syrian and Hezbollah flags

Brief Analysis

Lebanese Hezbollah's Islamic Resistance in Syria

The groups known loosely as Syrian Hezbollah operate with little independence from their Lebanese parent, and U.S. sanctions policy should treat them accordingly.

Apr 26, 2018

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Phillip Smyth

Articles & Testimony

Grading Counterterrorism Cooperation with the GCC States

A former Treasury official assesses Qatar and Kuwait's record on countering terrorist financing, with a focus on how to continue cooperation amid the Gulf's ongoing diplomatic rift.

Apr 26, 2018

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Katherine Bauer

Articles & Testimony

Trump’s Travel Ban Might Be Legal, But It’s Bad Policy

Most domestic terrorists don’t get radicalized abroad; they’re made in the USA.

Apr 25, 2018

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Matthew Levitt

Video

Brief Analysis

Beyond 'Mowing the Grass': U.S. and Israeli Strategy in the Middle East

Two former policymakers discuss whether the longtime allies can move beyond tactical responses to their strategic challenges in the region.

Apr 24, 2018

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Chuck Freilich
James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

How Iraqi Sovereignty Supports U.S. National Interests

By providing a clear and consistent roadmap for American interests in Iraq and future international support, Washington can help Baghdad steer the country in the right direction after next month's elections.

Apr 17, 2018

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James Jeffrey
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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