U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

When International Guarantees Utterly Failed

The international community's vacillation and vague guarantees in the run-up to the 1967 war taught the Israelis an important cautionary lesson: when the chips are down, they need to be able to defend themselves by themselves.

May 4, 2017

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

The Trump-Abbas Meeting: Issues, Constraints, and Ways Forward

Watch leading American, Israeli, and Palestinian experts preview Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas' May 3 White House meeting with President Trump.

May 2, 2017

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Ghaith al-Omari
Ehud Yaari
David Makovsky
Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

100 Days of Trump Foreign Policy: Chaos to Moderation

No president has faced challenges like this since Reagan, and the patterns of the past thirty years are no longer a guide.

Apr 28, 2017

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Syria After the Missile Strikes: Policy Options

A former National Security Council director spells out how Washington should follow up on its efforts to deter Assad's atrocities, keeping in mind that a broad campaign to 'solve' the Syria conflict would be futile in the near term.

Apr 27, 2017

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Michael Singh

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

After the Jihad: The U.S. Response to Foreign Terrorist Fighters

A former counterterrorism official outlines what governments are doing to address the threat of militants returning home from Syria and Iraq.

Apr 27, 2017

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Jacob Walles

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Does Egypt Need an FTA with the United States?

Given the many factors militating against a U.S.-Egypt trade deal, Washington should instead push for the Egyptians to avail themselves of existing mechanisms, especially the Qualifying Industrial Zones.

Apr 24, 2017

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Haisam Hassanein

Articles & Testimony

Could Italy Get Trump to Care About Fixing Libya?

To take a strong step forward on a major ongoing conflict, the president should listen closely to a U.S. ally and make a clear statement in support of Libya's unity government and the UN-sponsored peace process.

Apr 20, 2017

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Ben Fishman

Articles & Testimony

After ISIS, the U.S. Military Could Help Keep Iraq Stable

A limited troop presence would support a strategy aimed at containing Iranian aggression.

Apr 16, 2017

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Tillerson's Moscow Meeting Is a Reminder of How Dangerous Russia Is

Offering Putin tough but reasonable sanctions deals on Syria and other regional issues may be the best way of easing persistent bilateral tensions.

Apr 12, 2017

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Egypt's Awkward Reset with Washington

After Trump welcomes Sisi, the Syria crisis puts relations in sudden limbo.

Apr 7, 2017

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Military Strikes on Syria: Historical Lessons and Implications

Assad's track record indicates that he will likely continue challenging the chemical redline, and that additional strikes and other pressures may be necessary to deter him from doing so.

Apr 7, 2017

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Michael Eisenstadt

Articles & Testimony

Trump Raises the Stakes for Russia and Iran

Even if the U.S. strike in Syria has not fundamentally changed the dynamic in the war, opening a new window of possibility, Washington has sent the powerful message that using chemical weapons carries a price.

Apr 7, 2017

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Dennis Ross

Video

Brief Analysis

Stopping Extremists from Becoming Terrorists: A Strategy for the Trump Administration

The authors of a bipartisan study discuss their recommendations for preventing and countering violent extremism.

Apr 7, 2017

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Rand Beers
Samantha Ravich
Matthew Levitt

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Altering Assad's Course

As the Trump administration decides whether to pursue a limited military response, it should use existing international legal mechanisms to pressure Damascus and Moscow right away.

Apr 6, 2017

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

King Abdullah and Jordan Deserve Our Support -- and Our Dollars

Although the Trump administration is looking to decrease foreign aid, Amman's request for more U.S. funding deserves special consideration given its close cooperation in the region.

Apr 5, 2017

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

America Must Send a Strong Message to Syria That Using Chemical Weapons in War Is Not Acceptable

The latest regime attack has once again shown that any effort to confront the Islamic State in Syria must also confront Assad.

Apr 4, 2017

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Middle Kingdom Meets Middle East

China's enhanced Middle East profile sends an important message to the Trump administration about America's role in the region.

Apr 3, 2017

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Richard Fontaine
Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Can Trump Cut a Deal With Egypt?

Washington has a strong hand to ask for real concessions on issues such as aid priorities and prosecution of Americans, as well as clarification of Russia's reported military deployments.

Mar 30, 2017

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Eric Trager

Articles & Testimony

Why the Words We Use About Terrorism Matter

Jihadists have become uniquely sensitized to the doctrinal and political stakes in their own names, so the United States should think carefully about the labels it applies to groups like the Islamic State.

Mar 30, 2017

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Jacob Olidort

Articles & Testimony

Testing the Limits: Iran's Ballistic Missile Program, Sanctions, and the IRGC

A military expert lays out the short- and long-term strategic challenges posed by allowing Tehran to continue building up its missile arsenal.

Mar 29, 2017

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Michael Eisenstadt

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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