U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Will Iran Retaliate Against U.S. Sanctions?

IRGC hardliners have pushed for an aggressive response to U.S. measures, but they will have to convince the Supreme Leader that escalation does not pose too great a risk.

Aug 3, 2017

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Omer Carmi

Brief Analysis

U.S. Security Assistance to Lebanon at Risk

Despite collusion between the LAF and Hezbollah, the United States may still have an interest in funding the Lebanese military.

Aug 3, 2017

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

The Institute of Peace Is Successful Against ISIS -- The U.S. Must Fund It

The cost-effective, nonpartisan institute can help promote broader reconciliation in Mosul and other areas now retaken from the jihadist group.

Aug 2, 2017

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

The Smart Way to End 'Pay to Slay'

Rather than seeking indiscriminate cuts to Palestinian aid, U.S. legislators must craft a bill that encourages the PA to reform its behavior.

Aug 2, 2017

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David Makovsky
Dennis Ross
Lia Weiner

Articles & Testimony

Tillerson Can End the Qatar Standoff

To preserve his credibility as a diplomat, the secretary of state needs to put a win on the board.

Aug 1, 2017

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Assessing the U.S.-Qatar Relationship

The Institute's leading counterterrorism expert discusses Washington's ties with the Gulf country, contending that Qatar must take substantive, verifiable steps to address the shortcomings in its posture toward Islamist extremism.

Jul 26, 2017

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Russia Will Overshadow Trump's Presidency Unless He Takes Action

Moscow's increasingly bold challenges to the West are heightening the risk for a Great Power conflict.

Jul 25, 2017

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Yemen: The View from Riyadh

In a conflict with no viable path to peace -- and in which the Yemeni people are threatened by violence, famine, and cholera -- the Trump administration and regional players must bring a sense of urgency to diplomatic efforts.

Jul 23, 2017

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Stephen Seche
Eric Pelofsky

As Syria Crumbles, Only Iran Is a Sure Winner

A discussion of Syria's Sykes-Picot origins, the recent U.S.-Russia de-escalation deal, and the Sunni-Shia contest in the region.

Jul 23, 2017

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

The Best Thing America Built in Iraq:

Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service and the Long War Against Militancy

A compact size, high pay, and rigorous standards have helped the service thrive, but now it needs sustained support to become a lasting monument to U.S. good intentions in Iraq.

Jul 19, 2017

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Michael Knights
Alex Almeida

Brief Analysis

What to Expect From the State Department's Annual Counterterrorism Report

Areas of focus will likely include a damaged but still dangerous Islamic State, a regrouping al-Qaeda, and the wide network fielded by Iran and its proxy Hezbollah.

Jul 18, 2017

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Matthew Levitt
Katherine Bauer
Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Turkey Can Ally with Syria's Kurds Someday

Most Kurds are now seeking rights in their respective countries, while downplaying the pan-Kurdish dream, giving Turkey more room to separate the PYD from the PKK instead of lumping them together.

Jul 18, 2017

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David Pollock

Brief Analysis

The Ceasefire and U.S. Interests on the Jordan-Syria Border

By setting limits on Iranian deployments in southern Syria, Washington could insulate Jordan from problems on the border and encourage Iranian caution in the east, potentially decreasing the likelihood there of a U.S.-Iran clash.

Jul 17, 2017

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David Schenker
Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

Why Trump's Syrian Ceasefire Makes Israel Nervous

The tepid response to the deal by Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu can be summed up in one word: Iran.

Jul 14, 2017

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Construction Begins at New Amona Settlement

For any observer of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict who views settlement expansion as an impediment to peacemaking, the latest developments suggest difficulties ahead.

Jul 12, 2017

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Mitchel Hochberg

Articles & Testimony

Why Latest Syria Ceasefire Is Exactly What Putin Wanted

As long as Putin keeps control of the narrative in Syria, he can forestall a resolution that compromises Russian interests.

Jul 11, 2017

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Will the Gulf Crisis Blow Up the Middle East?

A discussion of what's at stake in the region, how to evaluate the situation, and the roles of Israel and Iran.

Jul 11, 2017

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Addressing Iranian Weapons Smuggling and the Humanitarian Situation in Yemen

Reenergized and more-targeted maritime interdiction operations could reduce Iranian support for the Houthis while helping respond to Yemen's humanitarian crisis.

Jul 11, 2017

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Eric Pelofsky
Jeremy Vaughan

Articles & Testimony

The Foolhardy Crisis With U.S. Jews That Threatens Israel's National Security

Israelis must recognize that the American aid that has deterred major wars since 1973 is not automatic, and U.S. Jews are instrumental in securing it.

Jul 10, 2017

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David Makovsky
Dov Zakheim

Articles & Testimony

What Trump Should Have Asked Putin For: Ground Rules for the U.S.-Russia Relationship

A sensible approach would entail cooperation where U.S. and Russian interests converge, such as on proliferation, terrorism, and drugs, and management where they differ, such as on Iran.

Jul 9, 2017

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Dennis Ross

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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