U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Taking Stock of U.S. Policy Options in Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia

The three countries that comprise the Maghreb region -- Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia -- are bound by important cultural, linguistic, and economic ties, and by a shared history of French occupation. Even after Africa's official decolonization, the Maghreb has remained a close and intense sphere of European, and especially French, influence

Sep 2, 2016

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Vish Sakthivel

Articles & Testimony

Contesting Facts on the Ground in Iraq

Far away from the exaggerated debates of misguided pundits, Western officials have moved on from past mistakes and are making grownup policy choices on Iraq that are reasonably good under the circumstances.

Aug 25, 2016

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Michael Knights

Articles & Testimony

If This Is Obama's Middle East 'Balancing Act,' God Help Us

Robert Malley wasn't mistaken in recounting how the president has conducted regional policy; the problem lies in the worrisome objectives that seem to underpin those policies, which could cause further damage through year's end.

Aug 24, 2016

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Assad Bombs the Kurds: Implications for U.S. Strategy in Syria

Escalating hostilities between regime forces and Syrian Kurds in Hasaka will likely complicate Washington's campaign against the Islamic State, in which the Kurds and their Arab allies have been its most effective partners.

Aug 23, 2016

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Barak Barfi

Articles & Testimony

How Donald Trump's Rhetoric on NATO Works to Vladimir Putin's Advantage

To the Russian leader, a wavering U.S. commitment to the alliance vindicates an approach based on bold action in Georgia, Ukraine, and Syria and increasing aggressiveness toward American forces.

Aug 7, 2016

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Michael Singh

Video

Brief Analysis

Energy and U.S. Middle East Policy in an Era of Plentiful Oil

Three experts discuss U.S. priorities in the Middle East, the potential upsides and downsides of increased American energy independence, and the consequences of low prices for various oil-producing states.

Aug 4, 2016

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Patrick Clawson
Simon Henderson
Helima Croft

Articles & Testimony

Iran's Plan to Expand Its Nuclear Program -- and Steps the U.S. Can Take to Deter It

In response to a recently publicized document describing Iran's nuclear intentions, the next U.S. administration should first make clear that being aware of Iran's plans is not the same as acquiescing to them.

Aug 4, 2016

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

The Case for (Finally) Bombing Assad

If Russia does want to limit its involvement in Syria, the threat of limited strikes should persuade it to make the Syrian leader behave.

Aug 3, 2016

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Dennis Ross
Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

U.S. Strikes Islamic State in Libya

Together with a domestic oil deal, the American airstrikes could mark an important turn for the war-torn nation.

Aug 2, 2016

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Ben Fishman

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Kurdish Forces Bolster Assad in Aleppo

By allying with the Syrian regime, the YPG implicitly signaled to the U.S. government that the Kurdish group will act based on its own interests.

Jul 29, 2016

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Fabrice Balanche

Articles & Testimony

The U.S., the Peshmerga, and Mosul

Although the scale and effectiveness of coalition efforts to train and equip the Peshmerga have grown, U.S.-Kurdish ties have yet to change fundamentally.

Jul 28, 2016

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Michael Knights

Brief Analysis

Why Iran Will Never Proceed with the Proposed Plane Purchases

In deciding whether to formally prohibit plane sales that already seem commercially infeasible, Washington should consider one question: if the Islamic Republic is going to shoot itself in the foot, why refuse it the gun?

Jul 27, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

In Wake of Coup Attempt in Turkey, Lessons for the U.S. From Egypt's Military Takeover

Given Erdogan's crucial role against the Islamic State, Washington should be careful not to alienate him, in particular by avoiding critical public statements that won't change his behavior anyway.

Jul 22, 2016

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Eric Trager

Brief Analysis

Closing Loopholes in the Proposed U.S.-Russian Agreement on Syria

The agreement's currently proposed terms have far less chance of stemming the international terrorist threat, helping the Syrian people, or turning the cessation of hostilities into a viable ceasefire.

Jul 14, 2016

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Andrew J. Tabler

Video

TWI Video Briefing: The JCPOA at One Year

One year after the signing of the nuclear deal with Iran, how has the agreement changed the Iranian economy, Tehran's foreign policy, and Russia's role in the Middle East? Watch video briefings by Washington Institute experts.

Jul 14, 2016

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Matthew Levitt
Patrick Clawson
Anna Borshchevskaya
Dennis Ross
Katherine Bauer

Articles & Testimony

The Dysfunction Exposed by the Clinton Investigation in the State Department and Beyond

Lost amid the attention devoted to FBI director James Comey's July 5 announcement that the FBI would not bring charges against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was his broader criticism of the "security culture of the State Department in general, and with respect to the use of unclassified e-mail

Jul 13, 2016

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Europe and the JCPOA

In keeping with their limited view of the agreement's scope, and in light of their other pressing policy concerns, European officials are focused on enforcing the JCPOA's nuclear restrictions and ensuring that the West holds up its end of the deal.

Jul 13, 2016

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Olivier Decottignies

Brief Analysis

The Half-Life of the JCPOA

Tehran's claims about its nuclear ambitions still lack credibility and could mean that the JCPOA does not survive beyond the Obama administration.

Jul 12, 2016

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Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

Russia's Cooperation on the Iran Deal Is No Favor to Washington

Moscow only agreed to the nuclear deal out of self-interest, and the JCPOA has allowed Russia to expand ties with Iran while positioning itself as a regional counterweight to the West.

Jul 7, 2016

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Brief Analysis

Iran's Modest Economic Changes Since JCPOA Implementation

Deeply entrenched interests are impeding reform in Iran, limiting the economy to only modest progress even with sanctions relief.

Jul 6, 2016

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Patrick Clawson

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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