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.

Featured Content

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

Continue to the category

Daily Memo: Russia Readies Reservists

Relying on reservists. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Thursday ordering reservists to participate in military training in 2025. According to the...

Daily Memo: Gaza Ceasefire Deal, Starmer Visits Ukraine

Shaky deal. The Gaza ceasefire deal reached on Wednesday has hit a “last-minute crisis,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said. The Israeli leader...

Daily Memo: NATO’s Expanding Presence in the Baltic Sea

New initiative. NATO will launch a new mission to protect critical infrastructure around the Baltic Sea following the recent suspected sabotage of undersea cables...

Daily Memo: Hamas’ Resurgence, Russia-Iran Cooperation

Challenge for Israel. Hamas is quickly rebuilding in Gaza with a new leader at the helm, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Mohammed...

The Never-ending Battle for Syria

Syria has been the target of countless attempts at subjugation undertaken by external powers throughout its history. Since the rise of modern-day Syria after...

Daily Memo: Turkey Considers Syrian Military Operation

Ankara's warning. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that his country could launch a joint military operation with the new administration in Syria if...

Daily Memo: Israel Signs Defense Deals With Domestic Firm

Focus on homemade. Israel’s Defense Ministry announced two deals with Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems in a move that could reduce the country’s reliance...

Daily Memo: Talks With Kurds in Syria, Russia’s Advance in Ukraine

Syrian developments. The new regime in Damascus held talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and People’s Protection Units (YPG) demanding that they lay...

Daily Memo: Russian Developments, Turkish Engagement in Syria

Terrorist attack? The Russian operator of the Ursa Major cargo ship, which sank in the Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 23, said the incident was...

Daily Memo: Slovak Leader in Moscow, Saudis and Jordanians Visit Damascus

Fico in Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in Moscow to discuss energy, bilateral relations and Ukraine. Fico...

Daily Memo: Putin’s 2024 Wrap-up, Israel and Houthis Trade Blows

Nothing to see here. Russia’s economy is stable and will finish the year having grown by 3.9 or 4 percent, President Vladimir Putin said...

In Syria, the Future Depends on Turkey and Israel

The fall of the Syrian regime degraded Iran’s position in the country and, in doing so, has made Syria a battleground for the competition...

Latest Posts

Audio & Video

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

FREE
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

FREE
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.

Get Geopolitical Futures FREE newsletter

Understanding Our Geopolitical Model

Sign up now and receive our special report Understanding our Geopolitical Model

Get weekly analysis from New York Times bestselling author George Friedman and our global team of analysts, plus special offers.

Subscribe Now


The Geopolitics of the American President

FREE with an annual subscription to Geopolitical Futures.

Subscribe Now