Israel/Palestine Conflict

The fighting that erupted between Israel and Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023 was no ordinary flare-up. It shattered the relative calm observed in the Middle East over the past few of years – a result of Israel’s efforts to reclaim its international status; of Iran’s efforts to reconcile with its neighbors; and of new alignments slowly forming among erstwhile enemies. Regional leadership and power dynamics are directly at stake, as is the potential shape of the Middle East itself.

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The State of the Israeli-Gaza Conflict

The origins of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict are pretty well known. Gaza, the narrow strip of land running to the Sinai Peninsula, was originally...

The Drumbeat of War in the Middle East

Threats of impending war have permeated the Middle East since Israel’s establishment in 1948. Though Egypt made peace with Israel in 1978 and Jordan...

The Eclipse of the Palestinian Question

Until the 1970s, the Palestinian question had preoccupied the Arab world since the creation of Israel in 1948. Public figures and ordinary Arabs were...

West Bank Violence Stalls Arab-Israeli Normalization

Last month, three senior U.S. officials visited Israel and the Palestinian Territories to try to avert a third Palestinian intifada. National Security Adviser Jake...

Special Collection on the Middle East

This complete work consists of several dozen essays spread out over 8 parts tackling the region’s conflicts and historical evolution, relating them to contemporary issues. Divided into distinct regions and critical issues, the Special Collection of the Middle East is your source to better understand this volatile region and to be prepared for what comes next.

Recent Analysis: Israel & Palestine

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Daily Memo: On Upcoming US-Iran Negotiations

Squashing Israeli plans. U.S. President Donald Trump blocked Israeli plans to strike Iranian nuclear facilities as early as next month amid ongoing negotiations with...

Daily Memo: Doubts About Israel’s Gaza Strategy

IDF warning. The chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned that the army lacks enough combat troops to...

Daily Memo: US-Iran Talks, Chinese Critical Minerals

First round. The United States and Iran held talks in Oman over the weekend. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Iran set several...

Daily Memo: Iran Pitches Interim Nuclear Agreement, Details of US-Panama Deal

Expectation management. Iranian officials believe that a long-term nuclear agreement is unrealistic before U.S. President Donald Trump’s two-month deadline and instead want to begin...

Daily Memo: China Tariffs Take Effect, US and Russia Meet in Istanbul

Opening day. China’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports took effect on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an increase of U.S....

The Challenges of Dealmaking in the Middle East

The United States is developing a new security arrangement for the Middle East. To that end, the Trump administration is pursuing separate deals with...

Daily Memo: Chinese Tariffs and Updates on Iran and Ukraine

Chinese response. China on Wednesday announced 50 percent tariffs on all U.S. imports in response to Washington’s imposition of 50 percent additional tariffs on...

Daily Memo: US-Iran Talks Set to Begin

Nuclear negotiations. At a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. and...

Daily Memo: Iran’s Military on High Alert

Standing its ground. Iran continues to reject U.S. demands for direct negotiations, arguing instead that backchannel diplomacy via Oman should continue. Tehran also put...

Daily Memo: Chinese Tariffs, Ukraine Security Guarantees

Chinese retaliation. China announced that it will impose 34 percent tariffs on all U.S. imports in retaliation against the Trump administration’s announcement on Thursday...

Daily Memo: Israeli Strike Targets Syrian Airports

Israeli airstrikes. Israel launched airstrikes against two airports in Syria on Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed. According to the IDF, they targeted “remaining...

Daily Memo: Tensions in the Middle East and a Russian Visit to Washington

Iranian preparations. Iran has reportedly placed its military on high alert in anticipation of a possible Israeli strike. It has also reportedly readied more...

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Audio & Video

What’s Next For Iran? ClubGPF Bonus with Kamran Bokhari

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Israel’s decimation of Hezbollah’s leadership and war-making capabilities has paved the way for a massive altering of the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. After decades on the offensive, Iran has suffered a major setback in its strategy for the region. GPF contributor Kamran Bokhari joined host Christian Smith on our recent Podcast+ episode for ClubGPF members to discuss what’s next for Iran, its proxies, and the Middle East at large.

Shadows of Power: George Friedman on Russia, the Middle East, and the Rise of Non-State Actors

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At GPF we have a distinct method for looking at the world, and every day we see this model play out in real time, like in the current conflicts in the Middle East. In this ClubGPF live discussion, Chairman George Friedman discusses the relationship between current conflicts and the dangers of non-state actors like Hezbollah and Hamas.

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