U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

The Palestinian Authority's International Criminal Court Gambit: A True Partner for Peace?

In responding to the PA's move, Washington will need to strike a balance between firing shots across the ICC's bow and preserving invaluable Israeli-Palestinian security coordination in the West Bank.

Feb 4, 2015

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

Taking the Fight to ISIL:

Operationalizing CT Lines of Effort Against the Islamic State Group

Read statements from officials and experts who participated in a special conference on the multifaceted nonmilitary aspects of the anti-ISIL campaign.

Feb 2, 2015

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Articles & Testimony

3 Steps to Deter Further Russian Aggression in Europe

Advocates of increased pressure on Moscow received good news last week with the European Union decision to extend its sanctions by six months. There had been concerns that Greece’s new left-wing government would obstruct the renewal. Yet this bit of progress obscures deeper problems: Athens successfully lobbied to remove any

Feb 2, 2015

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

Iran Adapts to Sanctions in the Absence of New Measures

When it comes to sanctions, continuously adopting new measures is the best way to convince Iran's leaders that they must resolve the nuclear impasse.

Jan 27, 2015

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Patrick Clawson

Articles & Testimony

Time to Take It to Iran

The nuclear deadlock cannot be broken unless Washington reengages in the myriad conflicts plaguing the region, particularly now that Yemen is vulnerable and the Saudi royal family is in a state of turmoil.

Jan 23, 2015

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Dennis Ross
Eric Edelman
Ray Takeyh

Brief Analysis

What to Expect from Syria Peace Talks in Moscow

While the talks are unlikely to produce immediate results, Moscow could use them to gain leverage to shape its preferred outcome in Syria.

Jan 23, 2015

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Anna Borshchevskaya

Articles & Testimony

The Paradox in Obama's Foreign Policy

The president's legacy will be evaluated on his foreign policy accomplishments, not just the errors he believes he has avoided.

Jan 22, 2015

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

The ISIS Fight and the State of the Union Address

Four Washington Institute fellows discuss what the president's address shows about his priorities in the Middle East, analyzing what he did and did not say and comparing his latest remarks to his past speeches.

Jan 21, 2015

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James Jeffrey
David Pollock
Robert Satloff
Andrew J. Tabler

Video

Foreign Fighters and Attacks on the West

In five brief video clips, Dr. Matthew Levitt analyzes the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, describes their origin in ISIS and al Qaeda, and assesses what the United States and its allies can do to combat homegrown violent extremism.

Jan 15, 2015

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

Actually, Our Military Keeps Winning

The U.S. military has a great track record of winning on the battlefield, but it must do a better job of demanding clearer definitions of strategic victory from the political leadership, along with the means and time needed to achieve it.

Dec 31, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Coping With Success Against ISIS

Although Washington should have no illusions about resolving the region's wider problems, it can build on early successes against ISIS by making the commitments needed to fully defeat the group in Iraq and Syria, including a modest, enduring U.S. military presence.

Dec 29, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Brief Analysis

Palestinian-Israeli Incitement Can and Should Be Curbed, Especially Now

Incitement by Palestinians and Israelis against each other should be penalized rather than explained away or dismissed.

Dec 16, 2014

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David Pollock

Video

Brief Analysis

Israel's Geostrategic Position at a Time of Regional Instability

2014 Scholar-Statesman Award Dinner

On December 2, 2014, Ambassadors Itamar Rabinovich and Michael Oren were presented with the 2014 Washington Institute Scholar-Statesman Award for their contributions to the academic study of the Middle East and the practice of diplomacy. Oren is the author of two acclaimed books -- Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in

Dec 5, 2014

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Itamar Rabinovich
Michael Oren

Fikra Forum

The Battle for Kobane Is also Political

The attack on Kobane, pitting ISIS against Kurdish forces, is a political as well as military battle given its presence on the border between Turkey and Syria.

Dec 5, 2014

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John Saleh

Brief Analysis

Jordan's King Abdullah Comes to Washington

Friday's meeting offers an opportunity to discuss the kingdom's domestic challenges, the proposed no-fly zone in northern Syria, and the potential ramifications of ramped-up training of Syrian opposition forces on Jordanian territory.

Dec 4, 2014

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David Schenker

Articles & Testimony

A Nuclear Deal With Iran Will Require the West to Reevaluate Its Presumptions

It is time to press the Iranians to make the tough choices they have been unwilling to make, including through greater involvement in regional crises such as the Syria war.

Dec 4, 2014

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Eric Edelman
Dennis Ross
Ray Takeyh

Articles & Testimony

Chinese Policy in the Middle East in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Singh's unpublished manuscript on China's current and future role in the region. To read the full paper, download the PDF. Even as it pursues greater economic engagement with the Middle East to satisfy its energy needs, it is not at all clear whether

Nov 25, 2014

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Michael Singh

Articles & Testimony

The United States Has No Good Options on Syria

By rethinking its position on creating an opposition buffer zone along the Turkey-Syria border, the administration could spur Assad, Iran, and Russia to change their calculus.

Nov 23, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

The Next President's Mideast Mess

Try as he might, there's just too much for Obama to fix in the next two years.

Nov 16, 2014

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Robert Satloff

Articles & Testimony

Terrorist Financing and the Islamic State

A detailed look at where the group's money comes from, how the Treasury Department and its international partners are working to cut it off, and what needs to be done next.

Nov 13, 2014

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Matthew Levitt

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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