U.S. Policy

Washington should pursue a measured but assertive course with Syria, because the longer the conflict lasts, the greater the threat it poses.

Discussions with Chinese officials and analysts highlight the need for measured cooperation on various regional issues, including endgame diplomatic proposals for Iran and de-escalation in Syria.

Through professional military education, exchange-officer programs, and U.S.-based exercises, Washington can gain long-term influence with partner militaries throughout the Middle East and North Africa at modest cost.

As the conflict in Syria rivets international attention, Iran's nuclear program continues apace. Unfortunately, while the Iranians install the next generation of centrifuges -- machines that can produce enriched uranium three to four times faster than before -- the "P5+1" negotiations on Iran's nuclear program have ground once again to

A new report on how Washington can help Jordan deal with continuing turmoil at home and abroad.

While taking action in Syria will not be simple or cheap, it will ultimately be less costly than losing control of chemical weapons or letting Jordan and other neighbors be destabilized.

The Washington Institute convened a broad array of policymakers, activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world for The Washington Institute's annual policy conference in Washington, DC.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel delivered keynote remarks at the Institute's 2013 Soref Symposium in Washington, DC, on May 9, 2013. Download Secretary Hagel's prepared remarks (PDF) Download a transcript of Secretary Hagel's conversation with Institute executive director Robert Satloff (PDF)

U.S. policymakers once lamented that Washington needed Turkey more than the other way around, but this is no longer true.