Israel

Policy Analysis on Israel

How to End the Third Lebanon War—and Prevent the Fourth

The security arrangements set forth by Resolution 1701 and other past accords need to be beefed up and, more important, enforced—a task that may require an international “action group” willing to operate beyond the Security Council’s limitations.

Oct 29, 2024

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Assaf Orion

Photo showing flame and smoke rising over Lebanon's border with Israel.

Articles & Testimony

Taking the War to Hezbollah: What It Might, and Might Not, Achieve

Drawing on lessons from the 2006 war, Israel should focus on strategic outcomes such as better securing its border with Lebanon.

Oct 27, 2024

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

30 Years of Israel-Jordan Relations

Despite the wartime rancor, the peace treaty continues to deliver invaluable economic and security dividends to both states.

Oct 26, 2024

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David Schenker

Isaeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin shakes hands with Jordanian King Hussein in front of U.S. President Bill Clinton at the White House in 1994.

Video

Brief Analysis

A Partnership Worth Preserving

Israel’s former president and Jordan’s former foreign minister discuss the legacy of the peace treaty after three decades, including its relevance to the current regional conflict.

Oct 24, 2024

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Reuven Rivlin
Jawad al-Anani
Robert Satloff

Brief Analysis

How Blinken Can Seize Opportunity After the Deaths of Sinwar and Nasrallah

The United States has a short window to advance crucial goals in Gaza and Lebanon, including efforts to draw in Gulf support, establish a legitimate post-Hamas entity, and urge Beirut to start reasserting its sovereignty.

Oct 22, 2024

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David Makovsky

Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking with President Joe Biden

Articles & Testimony

Book Review: “War” by Bob Woodward

The veteran journalist dishes on the Jordanian king’s “man cave,” Biden’s pique at both Netanyahu and Abbas, and Harris’s public versus private diplomatic style.

Oct 21, 2024

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Simon Henderson

U.S. President Joe Biden greets French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in December, 2022 - source: White House

Brief Analysis

Assessing U.S.-French Cooperation a Year After October 7

Fighting on several Middle East fronts has revealed gaps between the allies, but they have ample room to collaborate in areas that range from ensuring Lebanese sovereignty to delivering humanitarian aid.

Oct 18, 2024

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Souhire Medini

Protesters in New York City demand the release of U.S. citizens held hostage by Hamas in Gaza - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar’s Death Can Bring the Middle East Closer to Peace

The long-elusive terrorist was known for brutality to Israelis and Gazans alike, and his passing opens the door to diplomatic, economic, and political progress.

Oct 17, 2024

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Jeffrey Sonnenfeld
Dennis Ross
Steven Tian

A banner in Gaza depicts the new Hamas leader, Yahya al-Sinwar - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

How Sinwar’s Death Could Change the War

The demise of the Hamas leader and October 7 plotter could create significant diplomatic opportunities for Israel and the United States.

Oct 17, 2024

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Ghaith al-Omari
Neomi Neumann

SaD Shahed-101 with serials Oct 12, 2024

Maps & Graphics

Brief Analysis

Tripling of Iraqi Militia Claimed Attacks on Israel in October

The self-styled Islamic Resistance in Iraq has greatly increased its attack claims and is starting to cause fatalities in Israel, inviting a military response.

Oct 15, 2024

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Michael Knights
Ameer al-Kaabi
Crispin Smith

◆ Militia Spotlight

Israeli Iron Dome missiles intercept rockets fired into Israel from Gaza by Hamas in October 2023 - source: Reuters

Brief Analysis

Israel’s Missile Defense Performance: Views from the Gulf

In discussing missile defense cooperation with risk-averse Gulf partners, Washington needs to realistically address the specifics of Iran’s latest attack on Israel, including the degree to which defenses were penetrated.

Oct 11, 2024

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Michael Knights
Elizabeth Dent

Brief Analysis

Why Israel Should Focus on Iranian Military and Security Targets, Not Oil Infrastructure

Despite significant vulnerabilities, the redundancies in Iran’s energy production would limit the effects of any strike, while the consequences for Israeli, Gulf, and global energy markets could be significant.

Oct 11, 2024

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Farzin Nadimi
Simon Henderson

Brief Analysis

A Roadmap to an Enduring Ceasefire in Lebanon

Border security is chiefly a matter of state sovereignty, so the international community must pressure Lebanese officials to take essential political and security steps even before attempting to negotiate ceasefire terms with Israel.

Oct 9, 2024

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Hanin Ghaddar

Articles & Testimony

How Israel Can Leverage Its Successes (Yes, Successes)

Despite massive failures leading up to the Gaza war and numerous controversies since then, Israel has made important achievements—now it must connect them to a clearly stated set of realistic strategic goals.

Oct 8, 2024

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David Makovsky

Brief Analysis

In Lebanon, a Rare Moment of Opportunity

Israel’s campaign has greatly diminished Hezbollah, presenting a chance for Beirut to end the war and push back against the group and its Iranian sponsors—if Lebanese elites are up to the task.

Oct 8, 2024

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David Schenker

Unarmed UN staff from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization stand near a Blue Line marker on the Israel-Lebanon borner - source: Reuters

Articles & Testimony

Capitalizing on the Weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah

The massive losses suffered by two key members of Iran’s “axis of resistance” create an opening to transform more than just Gaza and Lebanon.

Oct 8, 2024

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Dennis Ross

Secretary of State Antony Blinken places a tile that reads "Light in the darkness" on a wall at the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, October 14, 2023.

Video

Brief Analysis

U.S. Policy in the Post-October 7 Middle East: Looking Back, Looking Forward

Three former U.S. officials discuss the challenges—and opportunities—that will greet the next administration in year two of the post-October 7 era.

Oct 7, 2024

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Dennis Ross
Dana Stroul
David Schenker

Brief Analysis

The Gaza War Has Jump-Started a Weakened al-Qaeda

Although the former jihadist standard-bearer has failed to inspire attacks during the Gaza war, its efforts to exploit rising anti-Israel sentiment and train a new generation of terrorists in Afghanistan should not be taken lightly.

Oct 4, 2024

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Aaron Y. Zelin

Articles & Testimony

Hezbollah Is Weakened, But Still Dangerous

The group’s ability to reconstitute its military power will depend on Iran restocking its arsenal; in the meantime, it will likely attempt more terrorist attacks abroad.

Oct 2, 2024

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Matthew Levitt

Articles & Testimony

After Hezbollah’s Miscalculations, It Has Lost Much of Its Power

The group’s false assessment of Israel’s wartime fragility is proving more costly by the day.

Oct 1, 2024

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Matthew Levitt

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Featured experts

David Makovsky

David Makovsky is the Ziegler Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute and director of the Koret Project on Arab-Israel Relations.

Dennis Ross

Dennis Ross, a former special assistant to President Barack Obama, is the counselor and William Davidson Distinguished Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Ehud Yaari

Ehud Yaari is the Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

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Policy Analysis on Israel

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Policy Analysis on Israel

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