Unpacking Israel’s deterrence strategy after Iran’s missile attack Stacie Goddard and Boaz Atzili - April 25, 2024 A conversation with Boaz Aztili on Israel’s deterrence moves – and Iran's calculations
What to expect from the UN in the Israel-Hamas war Erik Voeten - February 1, 2024 The UN will have to overcome deep distrust among Israelis.
UN court says Israel may have violated the Genocide Convention Kelebogile Zvobgo - January 30, 2024 South Africa’s case against Israel for suspected violations in Gaza may take years to resolve.
Our 10 most popular posts of 2023 E.J. Graff - December 30, 2023 The Gaza conflict, Republicans in the U.S. House, and India's alleged assassination program filled the list.
What it will take to end the Israel-Hamas war 🎧 Erik Voeten and Barbara Walter - December 15, 2023 An expert on civil war weighs in.
Good Authority launches podcast feed 🎧 Kim Yi Dionne - December 15, 2023 Find interviews, audio versions of select pieces, and more in our podcast feed.
A closer look at the Gaza casualty data Marc Lynch and Sarah Parkinson - December 14, 2023 Casualty counts can be a political tool – and how we report the data has real consequences.
Will Congress shut down the government over aid to Israel and Ukraine? Elizabeth N. Saunders, Sarah Binder, Michael Tesler, Jordan Tama, and Andrew Payne - November 14, 2023 Four experts examine how U.S. foreign policy is dividing both Republicans and Democrats.
Putin’s Russia navigates Middle East conflict and war in Ukraine Joshua Tucker, Samuel Greene, and Kathryn Stoner - November 6, 2023 Two experts discuss the broader impact of the Israel-Hamas war.
What India is saying about the Israel-Hamas war Christopher Clary and Shubha Kamala Prasad - November 2, 2023 Can India balance support for Israel with its long-standing commitment to Palestine?
How can international law protect civilians in the Israel-Hamas war? Stacie Goddard and Tanisha Fazal - October 30, 2023 An expert explains the laws of war.
Will protests over the Israel-Hamas war shift U.S. policy? Marc Lynch, Jeremy Pressman, and Jay Ulfelder - October 27, 2023 Two experts share their insights on the growing number of U.S. protest events.
What political scientists know about occupation, applied to Gaza Elizabeth N. Saunders, Diana Greenwald, Dana El Kurd, David Edelstein, and Alexander Downes - October 24, 2023 Experts on the politics of foreign occupations tackle big questions in this week’s Good Chat.
How should we think about a mass exodus of Palestinians from Gaza? Elizabeth N. Saunders and Kelly M. Greenhill - October 20, 2023 Governments and non-state actors use mass migration as a tool of war.
The ICC is investigating violence in Israel and Palestine Kelebogile Zvobgo - October 18, 2023 Israel doesn’t recognize the court’s jurisdiction – but it should.
Biden will visit Israel during a war. That’s unprecedented. Elizabeth N. Saunders - October 17, 2023 The humanitarian crisis and escalation fears heighten uncertainty.
Why the Gaza hostage crisis is different Danielle Gilbert - October 13, 2023 What we know about Hamas hostage-taking and Israel’s hostage recovery policy.
Will the Hamas attack on Israel lead to a broader regional war? Elizabeth N. Saunders and Austin Carson - October 12, 2023 Even bitter adversaries have tools to control escalation.
Gaza and Israel: Five things to watch Marc Lynch - October 9, 2023 Here’s what you need to know following Saturday’s attack by Hamas.
Why do Russia and Ukraine exchange their prisoners? Christoph Valentin Steinert - May 27, 2022 It’s a humanitarian move, but there’s more to the calculations.
Academic experts believe that Middle East politics are actually getting worse Shibley Telhami and Marc Lynch - September 16, 2021 Nearly two-thirds of our recent survey group think the Israeli-Palestinian situation is akin to apartheid
Israeli extremists are attacking Palestinians. But are these mobs or pro-government militias? Hannah Bagdanov - June 28, 2021 Who’s behind the violence?
Can Jews and Palestinians live peacefully in Israel? Here’s a closer look. Stephanie Dornschneider, Sarina Schäfer, Samer Halabi, Oliver Christ, Miles Hewstone, and Danit Sobol-Sarag - June 4, 2021 Three things to know about Israel's "mixed cities."
Belarus’s hijacking isn’t a show of strength. It’s a sign of weakness. Sofie Bedford, Olga Onuch, and Aliaksandr Herasimenka - May 27, 2021 Poorly informed leaders with few allies are more likely to take risks, the research shows
Bunny Wailer, ‘Ceasefire’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - May 20, 2021 A cease-fire is reached in the Gaza conflict.
Hamas wasn’t behind the Jerusalem protests. So why is it fighting? Somdeep Sen - May 17, 2021 This confrontation with Israel overshadows the fundamental question of Palestinian liberation.
Israel’s Iron Dome defense protects lives – but there’s an unexpected effect Yagil Levy - May 14, 2021 The defense system may leave Israel fewer incentives for a political solution to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Young people led the 2021 Palestinian protests in Jerusalem Dana El Kurd - May 12, 2021 Four things to know about the Sheikh Jarrah clashes.
Critics say it’s apartheid. Do Israelis and Palestinians think it is? Dahlia Scheindlin - May 6, 2021 A 2021 survey reveals surprising points of agreement.
Biden reversed Trump’s sanctions on International Criminal Court officials. What happens now? Kyle Rapp and Kelebogile Zvobgo - April 4, 2021 Past U.S. administrations supported the court’s work — when it aligned with U.S. interests
The ICC says it can investigate Israel’s alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories. Netanyahu and Biden object. M.P. Broache and Kelebogile Zvobgo - February 10, 2021 Israel and the U.S. don’t think the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction over nonmember states. Here’s when it does.
How terrorism helps — and hurts — Iran Daniel Byman - January 3, 2020 Why Iran supports terrorist groups — and what the consequences can be.
Conservatives won big in the U.K. election — for these two reasons. Paul Whiteley, Matthew Goodwin, Marianne Stewart, and Harold Clarke - December 21, 2019 Pundit point to one reason or the other — but it’s both.
An HBO series looks at political violence in Jerusalem. Here’s the reality behind the drama. Chagai Weiss - September 13, 2019 We researched the explosive summer that the series portrays.
Why countries target civilians indiscriminately Anna O. Pechenkina - July 8, 2019 Is this just a poor decision — or a calculated trade-off?
Yes, Iran shot down a U.S. drone. Here’s why you (still) don’t need to worry. Sarah E. Kreps, Michael Horowitz, and Matthew Fuhrman - June 20, 2019 Drone shoot-downs haven’t escalated in the past. This one probably won’t, either.
Israel responded to a Hamas cyberattack with an airstrike. That’s not such a big deal. Jacquelyn Schneider and Erica D. Borghard - May 8, 2019 Policymakers are debating how best to retaliate against cyberwarfare actions — and how not to.
Attempts to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization have failed before. Why is it returning now? Marc Lynch - May 1, 2019 Trump’s Middle East policy pattern shows disregard for the consequences.
Key takeaways from the Israeli election Brent E. Sasley - April 12, 2019 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not only survived but increased his party’s share of parliamentary seats.
Why Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the Palestinian parliament — and what it means for the future Samer Anabtawi and Nathan Brown - January 18, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82787" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has relied
Israel’s upcoming election could produce even more political parties. Here’s why. Brent E. Sasley - January 4, 2019 [caption id="attachment_82128" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walks
How might recent confrontations with Hamas influence Israeli elections? Chagai Weiss - December 4, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80984" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends
Israeli elections could be happening soon. Here’s what you should know. Brent E. Sasley - November 21, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80553" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers
Israel-Hamas fighting erupted just as negotiations advanced. What started it, and why does it matter? Wendy Pearlman and Boaz Atzili - November 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_80233" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A ball of fire rises above
Are drones the new terrorist weapon? Someone tried to kill Venezuela’s president with one. Nicholas Grossman - August 10, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76585" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Venezuelan National Guard soldiers scatter during
If you want Israelis to favor peace negotiations, let them trade stocks Sam Winter-Levy - July 31, 2018 [caption id="attachment_76212" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center,
Why Iran’s involvement in Syria may backfire Thomas Juneau - June 12, 2018 [caption id="attachment_74447" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A convoy of Syrian government forces
The Trump administration wants regime change in Iran. But regime change usually doesn’t work. Lindsey O'Rourke and Alexander Downes - May 23, 2018 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People march in Tehran on Feb.
Can the International Criminal Court investigate the violence in Gaza? Mark Kersten - May 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73484" align="aligncenter" width="960"] People run through tear gas May
Why Gaza’s ‘March of Return’ isn’t dominating Arab headlines Marc Lynch - April 13, 2018 On Friday, March 30, Israeli troops killed more than 20
Why Hamas is protesting in Gaza — and why it will continue Imad Alsoos - April 8, 2018 [caption id="attachment_71879" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinians wave flags as smoke billows
Who is responsible for solving Gaza’s massive electricity crisis? Diana Greenwald - February 5, 2018 Last week, Beit Hanoun Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip
Trump’s rhetoric on Jerusalem tells us a lot about what kind of Israeli-Palestinian proposal he’ll deliver Jeremy Pressman - December 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67129" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian Muslim worshipers walk past the
Three things to know about Trump’s Jerusalem gambit Marc Lynch - December 7, 2017 President Trump announced a radical departure in U.S. Middle East
Was the mosque massacre in Egypt preventable? Omar Ashour - December 1, 2017 Last week’s attack on worshipers at a mosque in Egypt was
Does the Palestinian reconciliation deal make peace more likely? Wendy Pearlman - October 24, 2017 This month, Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation
Are Islamists making a comeback in the Middle East? Here’s why they succeed — and fail. Marc Lynch, Kristen Kao, and Ellen Lust - September 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_63878" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman casts her ballot at
Why a new Palestinian intifada could be non-violent: because that’s what Hamas wants Wendy Pearlman and Imad Alsoos - August 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62979" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli police officers on patrol in
Cyberwarfare has taken a new turn. Yes, it’s time to worry. Ryan Maness, Brandon Valeriano, and Benjamin Jensen - July 13, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60848" align="aligncenter" width="960"] (Ritchie B. Tongo/European Pressphoto Agency)[/caption] The
What the Labor Party’s election says about the prospects for Israel’s left Brent E. Sasley - July 10, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60713" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A supporter of the center-left Zionist
What the Qatar crisis shows about the Middle East Gregory Gause - June 27, 2017 [caption id="attachment_60415" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A man walks past the Qatar
Palestinians don’t trust institutions. What that means for peace 50 years after the Arab-Israeli War. Mark Tessler and Diana Greenwald - June 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59527" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas casts
Hacking, bots and information wars in the Qatar spat Marc Jones - June 7, 2017 U.S. investigators claim Russians might be behind some the hacking
Why key Arab countries have cut ties with Qatar — and what Trump had to do with it Michael Stephens - June 7, 2017 The decision by five Arab states to sever ties with
What’s going on with Qatar? Coates Ulrichsen - June 1, 2017 Tensions have resurfaced in a sustained media onslaught that has
Designating the Muslim Brotherhood a “terrorist organization” puts academic researchers at risk Andrew March - January 25, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52944" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Election posters in Jordan in 2016, including Muslim
Next month’s Palestinian local elections aren’t happening. Here’s why. Diana Greenwald - September 20, 2016 [caption id="attachment_46500" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, center,
No, Yemen’s Houthis actually aren’t Iranian puppets Thomas Juneau - May 16, 2016 [caption id="attachment_40606" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Armed members of a Houthi militia
Why did Egyptian security see Giulio Regeni as a threat? Jean Lachapelle - March 7, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36911" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Riot police take positions as students
Five years after Arab uprisings, security trumps reforms in Jordan Curtis Ryan - March 4, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36764" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A Jordanian demonstrator wearing a mask
Are we seeing Palestine’s spring at long last? Nathan Brown and Daniel Nerenberg - February 12, 2016 [caption id="attachment_35614" align="aligncenter" width="908"] FILE: On the wall the Abu
This is the group that’s surprisingly prone to violent extremism Henry Farrell - November 17, 2015 In the last 24 hours many prominent politicians and pundits
This data confirms South Africa’s ruling party initially ignored mass protests de Kadt - October 23, 2015 Kim Yi Dionne: This guest post is from Daniel de
How Israel shifted risk from soldiers to Gazan civilians Yagil Levy - August 18, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28655" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Smoke rises after an airstrike by
How many dead civilians makes a war crime? Ask the UN, Israel, and Hamas. David Traven - July 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27363" align="aligncenter" width="1484"] A Palestinian runs in an area
Why the Islamic State won't become a normal state - July 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27173" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this Monday, June 16, 2014
Why the Islamic State won’t become a normal state Lawrence Rubin - July 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_27173" align="aligncenter" width="908"] In this Monday, June 16, 2014
Silver bullet: Why decapitation strikes (don't) work Jason Lyall - June 19, 2015 The successful drone strike in Yemen on Monday against Nasser al-Wuhayshi,
Silver bullet: Why decapitation strikes (don’t) work Jason Lyall - June 19, 2015 The successful drone strike in Yemen on Monday against Nasser al-Wuhayshi,
A bold new Arab vision…for 2009 Marc Lynch - March 31, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23239" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud
How Iraqi Sunnis really feel about the Islamic State Munqith al-Dagher - March 24, 2015 [caption id="attachment_23025" align="aligncenter" width="620"] In this June 16, 2014 file
Think of Russia as an ordinary petrostate, not an extraordinary superpower Maria Snegovaya - March 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22451" align="alignnone" width="620"] A monitoring instrument on the gas
Why academics can't get beyond moderates and radicals - February 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21194" align="alignnone" width="620"] Protesters from the Islamic Action Front
Why academics can’t get beyond moderates and radicals Jillian Schwedler - February 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21194" align="alignnone" width="620"] Protesters from the Islamic Action Front
The Islamic State’s model Aaron Zelin - January 28, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20630" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A member of security (L) for
Why (some) states use religion to justify violence Ani Sarkissian - January 20, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20304" align="aligncenter" width="620"] People take part in an Amnesty
Israel’s challenge to the International Criminal Court Mark Kersten / Managing Editor - January 20, 2015 Israeli government officials have reacted furiously to the Palestinian Authority's
Falling oil prices, more peace? Cullen Hendrix - December 3, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18604" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Smoke rises from the Beiji oil
In defense of U.S. funding for area studies Nathan Brown - October 30, 2014 [caption id="attachment_17483" align="alignnone" width="620"] The U.S. Capitol building in Washington,
The evolution of Islamism since the Arab uprisings Quinn Mecham - October 24, 2014 [caption id="attachment_17089" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Egyptian protester ransacks the Muslim
What's so new about the Islamic State's governance? Megan Stewart - October 7, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16637" align="aligncenter" width="803"] The entrance to a museum in
What’s so new about the Islamic State’s governance? Megan Stewart - October 7, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16637" align="aligncenter" width="803"] The entrance to a museum in
Who’s afraid of an 'Islamic state'? Lawrence Rubin - October 2, 2014 Trying to make sense of the patterns of alignments in
Who’s afraid of an ‘Islamic state’? Lawrence Rubin - October 2, 2014 Trying to make sense of the patterns of alignments in
For Israel, defense may be the best defense Boaz Atzili - September 23, 2014 [caption id="attachment_16049" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Israeli Iron Dome defense system
Armed and 'innocent'? Mia Bloom - September 11, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15608" align="alignnone" width="620"] An Iraqi child carries a gun
Armed and ‘innocent’? Mia Bloom - September 11, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15608" align="alignnone" width="620"] An Iraqi child carries a gun
What's next for the Syrian regime's non-state allies Ora Szekely - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15578" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A poster showing Syria's President Bashar
What’s next for the Syrian regime’s non-state allies Ora Szekely - September 10, 2014 [caption id="attachment_15578" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A poster showing Syria's President Bashar
Schadenfreude in Gaza Mina Cirkara and Van Bavel - August 27, 2014 [caption id="attachment_14960" align="alignnone" width="620"] Palestinian fighters of the Ezz Al-Din