U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

The traditional American ally states in the Middle East do not have the strength to tackle the twin challenges of ISIS and Iran on their own, yet Washington remains more or less AWOL while its main partners fixate on domestic discord.

Dec 17, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Security Challenges in Egypt Two Years After Morsi

While the Sisi government's increasingly repressive trajectory remains a concern, the ongoing deterioration of Egypt's internal security is the more immediate threat, and U.S. policy should be adjusted accordingly.

Dec 16, 2015

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

President Obama's No Longer Saying He Will 'Degrade And Destroy' ISIS. Is This Significant?

Given the phrase's apparently swift demise, it may be a long time before another president uses such language as a guiding military strategy.

Dec 13, 2015

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Beyond the Oval Office: Filling in the Blanks of U.S. Strategy Against the Islamic State

In the president's usage, the term "ground forces" conjures up massive numbers of troops obviously superfluous to the task of defeating the ill-trained, ill-equipped militias of the Islamic State.

Dec 11, 2015

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Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

How Will the Turkey-Russia Crisis Affect Ankara's NATO Ties?

Moscow's lack of easy retaliatory options and Ankara's longstanding fear of Russia should forestall any showdown requiring NATO intervention, and the recent shootdown incident will help bring Ankara closer to the alliance in the long term.

Dec 9, 2015

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Soner Cagaptay
James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Nothing in the Middle East Happens by Accident -- Except When It Does

No, President Obama didn't set out to promote Russian and Iranian ambitions in the Middle East, but his policies have contributed to strengthening them.

Dec 7, 2015

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Sometimes the Enemy of Your Enemy Is Still the Enemy

Unless the United States quickly establishes a mechanism for Bashar al-Assad's departure, the Islamic State and similar groups will remain potent regional actors.

Dec 4, 2015

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Andrew J. Tabler

Articles & Testimony

Misreading the Middle East, Again

Ironically, most of the Sunni Arab states see Israel as a bulwark against Iran and the Islamic State, so emphasizing those security relationships and restoring the image of American reliability would make it easier to ask more of them on both fronts.

Dec 1, 2015

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

Kerry's Visit: America Has No Choice but to Reengage in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Expectations for Secretary Kerry's trip to Jerusalem and Ramallah are low, but given the mounting violence, he must nevertheless ask each side to take separate de-escalatory steps.

Nov 24, 2015

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Ghaith al-Omari
Ilan Goldenberg

Brief Analysis

U.S. Carrier Deployment Opens a Strategic Opportunity in the Mediterranean

By stopping in the Mediterranean on its way to the Persian Gulf and conducting joint anti-ISIS strikes with the French, the USS Truman could send a strong message to NATO allies and Moscow alike.

Nov 23, 2015

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Cmdr. Ryan T. Tewell

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Mobilizing Against a 'Preeminent Challenge of the Twenty-First Century': Countering Violent Extremism

A top State Department official discusses the U.S. government's efforts to mobilize a more preventive and holistic approach to the urgent challenge of countering violent extremism.

Nov 20, 2015

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Sarah Sewall

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

The Case for Reassessing U.S. Strategy Toward Syria and Against ISIS

Bashar al-Assad's departure would not by itself solve Syria's problems, but it could pave the way for the return of refugees and a regional ground force to combat ISIS.

Nov 18, 2015

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Must Send Ground Forces to Eliminate the Islamic State

A traditional military operation is eluding serious attention for many reasons, but none hold up against the devastation experienced in Syria and Iraq.

Nov 16, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Video

Brief Analysis

A More Constructive U.S. Egypt Policy

Following their latest visit to Egypt, the former congressman and White House counsel who constitute an Institute task force shared their views on the country's leadership, economy, and prospects for better ties with Washington.

Nov 10, 2015

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Vin Weber
Gregory Craig

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu Comes to Washington: A Recalibration, if Not a Reset

The Israeli prime minister and U.S. president appear to be taking steps to ensure next week's visit avoids past minefields.

Nov 5, 2015

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David Makovsky

Articles & Testimony

Unfinished Business from the Iran Nuclear Debate

As the clock counts down to implementation, Washington needs to move quickly to correct the agreement's flaws and close its loopholes.

Nov 5, 2015

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Robert Satloff

In-Depth Reports

Cooperating, Not Condoning:

Toward a More Constructive U.S. Egypt Policy

► Join us for a live policy forum webcast as the authors present their newest report on advancing U.S.interests with the "new" Egypt. Webcast begins at 10:00 a.m. EST on November 5, 2015. In July 2013, Egypt's defense minister Abdul Fattah al-Sisi responded to mass protests and impending state breakdown

Nov 4, 2015

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Vin Weber
Gregory Craig

Brief Analysis

The Manama Dialogue: Searching for Unity in the Face of Chaos

The solidarity expressed at the latest regional gathering of senior U.S., European, and Middle Eastern defense officials, diplomats, journalists, and analysts was encouraging, though some aspects of Washington's policies in Syria and elsewhere still need clarification.

Nov 3, 2015

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Acting Now Can Reverse an ISIS-Iran Power Grab in Iraq

Two former U.S. ambassadors explain why a more aggressive campaign against ISIS is necessary to preserving a unified, pro-American Iraq.

Nov 2, 2015

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Robert Ford
James Jeffrey

In-Depth Reports

Doomed to Succeed:

The U.S.-Israel Relationship from Truman to Obama

A necessary and unprecedented account of America's changing relationship with Israel.

Oct 31, 2015

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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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