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 US and Iranian Weapons Production

Shifting focus. Top U.S. defense officials have held talks with executives of several major automakers, including General Motors and Ford Motor, about producing weapons...

Pakistan’s Emerging Role in the Middle East

One of the more overlooked consequences of the Iran war is the emergence of Pakistan as a third-party intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Iran...

Daily Memo: Developments in the Middle East

Hormuz blockade. The United States will begin a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz on April 13, President Donald Trump announced over the weekend....

Daily Memo: Israel Agrees to Talks With Lebanon

Israeli concession. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon to be held “as soon as possible.”...

Lebanon’s Role in Turkey’s Vision for the Eastern Mediterranean

In recent years, Turkey has shown considerable interest in Lebanon, a country it sees as critical to the region’s economic and security future. President...

Daily Memo: Talks in Islamabad, Israeli Settlements

Trump's declaration. U.S. ships, military personnel and weaponry will remain “in place, in and around Iran” until a peace deal is agreed to and...

Daily Memo: Ceasefire in Iran, Defense Changes in France

Pause in hostilities. The U.S. and Iran agreed on Tuesday to a two-week ceasefire. Under the plan, both Iran and Oman will be allowed...

Daily Memo: Update on Iran Strikes, US Access to British Bases

More targets. The U.S. carried out overnight airstrikes on military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, the main hub for Iranian oil exports. The strikes...

Daily Memo: Update on Hormuz, Intel on Iranian Weapons

A first. A French-owned container ship passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, becoming the first known vessel flying a flag from a...

Sketches of the Middle East After the Iran War

The war in Iran is likely to wind down soon – at least in its current phase – making this a moment to step...

Daily Memo: France-Japan Meeting, Russia-Armenia Talks

Minerals cooperation. France and Japan signed a roadmap to cooperate on critical minerals during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Tokyo. The two countries...

Daily Memo: US-Saudi Ties, Israeli Plans for Lebanon

Nuclear cooperation. The White House last month sent a report to Congress laying out the case for sharing nuclear technology with Saudi Arabia, Bloomberg...

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Audio & Video

The Battle for Lebanon’s Future

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As war rages in the Middle East, the future of Iran remains an open question. The same can be said for Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have been taking place for more than a week. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, host Christian Smith is joined by Senior Analyst Hilal Khashan for a ground-level perspective on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and to explore the broader regional impacts of the Iran war.

Hezbollah’s End Game: Hilal Khashan Reporting from Lebanon

FREE
As war rages in the Middle East, the future of Iran remains an open question. The same can be said for Lebanon, where exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and Israel have been taking place for more than a week. On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, host Christian Smith is joined by Senior Analyst Hilal Khashan for a ground-level perspective on the escalating conflict in Lebanon, and to explore the broader regional impacts of the Iran war.