U.S. Policy

Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Nuclear Kingdom: Saudi Arabia's Atomic Ambitions

Although Iran's nuclear potential will likely dominate talks between President Obama and King Abdullah on March 29, Riyadh's own nuclear plans should also be part of the discussion.

Mar 27, 2014

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Olli Heinonen
Simon Henderson

Articles & Testimony

Next Test for Obama: Soothing the Saudis

The kingdom will have a raft of complaints for the president when he visits Riyadh.

Mar 24, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

What Would Ike Do?

Why President Obama doesn't understand Eisenhower's lessons of war, pushback, and how to deal with thuggish regimes.

Mar 18, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Western Foreign Fighters in Syria: Implications for U.S. CVE Efforts

Deputy Chief Zafar, a top official in the intelligence community's efforts to counter violent extremism, addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute.

Mar 14, 2014

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Shaarik H. Zafar

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

Preventing an Iranian Breakout after a Nuclear Deal

Washington must urgently reestablish the credibility of its military threat, along with other steps, to guard against noncompliance from Tehran.

Mar 12, 2014

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James Jeffrey
David Pollock

Articles & Testimony

Syria Spillover: The Growing Threat of Terrorism and Sectarianism in the Middle East

The scope of the war's regional fallout will become more apparent in the coming months as radicalized foreign fighters return to their home countries, sectarian strife increases in Lebanon, and massive refugee flows exacerbate public health problems.

Mar 6, 2014

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

A Regional Approach to Iran

If the United States neglects the bigger regional picture and focuses solely on deal-making with Tehran, the result may be a tactical victory but a strategic defeat.

Mar 3, 2014

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

The Ukraine Crisis and the Middle East

The Ukraine situation will affect Washington's Middle Eastern priorities, but not to such a degree that it will stymie a strong U.S. response to Russian actions, since America has the power to act in the region without Moscow if necessary. Ukraine could well make it necessary.

Mar 3, 2014

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James Jeffrey

Articles & Testimony

Obama the Pragmatist

The president's approach to recent crises shows an emphasis on the feasibility of successfully intervening, so he may yet decide to take action in Syria if his assessment of the stakes changes.

Mar 3, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

How Ukraine Will Shape the Future of the Middle East

By showing leadership in its response to the Russian intervention, Washington can open a new conversation with its regional allies regarding Syria, Iran, and Egypt.

Mar 2, 2014

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Dennis Ross

Articles & Testimony

The U.S. Makes Crises in Ukraine and Syria Worse by Not Planning for Them

Russia’s incursion into Ukraine serves as a reminder of something policymakers have learned and forgotten many times over: geopolitics is not dead yet.

Mar 2, 2014

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Netanyahu and Obama to Review Progress on Iran

Recent U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions and insist on strict interpretation of the Geneva agreement provide a backdrop for the two leaders' upcoming discussion of the Iran nuclear issue.

Feb 28, 2014

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Patrick Clawson

Multimedia

Brief Analysis

Confronting the Changing Face of al-Qaeda Propaganda

The coordinator of the U.S. Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications describes how the "new normal" in global jihadist radicalization will require Washington and its allies to use public diplomacy as a major soft-power tool in countering violent extremism, both online and on the ground. Watch video or read his remarks.

Feb 25, 2014

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Alberto Fernandez

◆ Counterterrorism Lecture Series

Brief Analysis

The Key to Pressuring Assad Is UNSCR 2118

By focusing on the Syrian regime's faltering commitment to eliminate its chemical weapons, Washington can decisively push Damascus and Russia toward real progress on larger issues -- and also set the table for limited military strikes if they prove necessary.

Feb 21, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Brief Analysis

Clear-Eyed Diplomacy: Strategic Shifts Needed in the Iran Negotiations

If Washington is to secure an Iranian nuclear deal that is sustainable and advances American interests, it must make several adjustments to its diplomatic strategy.

Feb 18, 2014

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Michael Singh

Brief Analysis

Israel, America, and a Churning Middle East (Part II)

On February 4, 2014, Ambassador Dennis Ross addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute after participating in the Institute for National Security Studies annual conference in Tel Aviv. He was joined by Washington Institute executive director Robert Satloff and former national security advisor Stephen Hadley. The following is a

Feb 12, 2014

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Dennis Ross

In-Depth Reports

Red Tape, Iron Nerve:

The Iranian Quest for U.S. Education

The rising number of Iranian exchange students presents an opportunity to revitalize U.S. public diplomacy outreach to Iran. In this new report, Steven Ditto demonstrates how lowering barriers, reaffirming America's commitment to human rights, and fulfilling past pledges can help pave the way for long-term and short-term change in Iran.

Feb 12, 2014

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Steven Ditto

Articles & Testimony

An Assertive Plan of Action for Syria

Washington Institute senior fellow Andrew Tabler addressed the Canadian parliament's Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development regarding the current situation in Syria. The following are his prepared remarks and policy recommendations. Mr. Chairman and Ranking Members: Thank you for the opportunity to testify. Following the outbreak of the

Feb 12, 2014

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Andrew J. Tabler

Video

Brief Analysis

Israel, America, and a Churning Middle East (Part I)

On February 4, 2014, former U.S. national security advisor Stephen Hadley addressed a Policy Forum at The Washington Institute after participating in the Institute for National Security Studies annual conference in Tel Aviv and the Munich Security Conference. He was joined by Robert Satloff and Dennis Ross, The Washington Institute's

Feb 10, 2014

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Stephen Hadley

Brief Analysis

Assessing U.S. Strategy in the Israeli-Palestinian Talks: A Mideast Trip Report

This PolicyWatch is based on remarks made by Washington Institute executive director Robert Satloff at a February 4 Policy Forum. Read separate summaries of remarks by fellow speakers Stephen Hadley and Dennis Ross, or watch video of the entire forum above. Amid the swirl of Middle East chaos, Israelis are

Feb 5, 2014

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Robert Satloff

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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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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Policy Analysis on U.S. Policy

Diane and Guilford Glazer Foundation Program on Great Power Competition and the Middle East

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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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