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.
Negotiations over Ukraine are likely to fail. Here’s why. Stacie Goddard - November 17, 2023 Several factors can foil conflict negotiations. The Russian war in Ukraine has them all.
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.
Rich people who own newspapers can shift elections. Israel shows how. Nikita Lalwani - December 5, 2022 Sheldon Adelson’s newspaper moved Israeli voters to the right. Could a similar newspaper shift votes in a U.S. swing state?
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?
An Islamist party is part of Israel’s new coalition government. How did that happen? Guy Grossman and Devorah Manekin - June 6, 2021 Israel has marginalized Arab parties and Arab voters for decades
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."
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.
Israel will hold national elections on Tuesday. Here’s a guide for the totally unfamiliar. Noa Balf - March 20, 2021 Don’t expect a stable governing coalition
Pompeo just visited the West Bank. That’s likely to deepen the partisan division over Israel-Palestine. Jeremy Pressman and Dov Waxman - November 19, 2020 Trump administration decisions on Israel marked a shift away from decades of U.S. policy.
Israel is voting — for the third time in a year. That’s polarizing voters even more. Lotem Bassan-Nygate and Chagai Weiss - February 26, 2020 Here’s how to undo some of the social damage from divisive campaigns
The White House peace plan puts Israel’s concerns first — and shortchanges Palestinians Brent E. Sasley - January 30, 2020 The deal is one-sided in these five ways
Trump’s mismanagement of the withdrawal from Syria hurt alliances — not the withdrawal itself Ronald Krebs and Jennifer Spindel - October 29, 2019 Our research suggests that withdrawals can hearten allies if handled properly.
Israel’s next government won’t put peace with the Palestinians first — even if Netanyahu is defeated Brent E. Sasley - September 23, 2019 Neither of the nation’s two big parties shows interest in negotiations.
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.
Here’s what the Israeli public thinks about Netanyahu’s campaign promise to annex parts of the West Bank. Dahlia Scheindlin - September 12, 2019 Hint: The voters he’s courting are very supportive
Trump just said buying Greenland would be ‘a large real estate deal.’ He’s making a dangerous mistake. Stacie Goddard - August 16, 2019 Trump doesn’t seem to understand that nations don’t buy and sell territory any more.
Why Jordan’s identity can’t be bought Sean Yom and Katrina Sammour - June 24, 2019 The deal of the century promises billions of dollars — and a future of regional instability.
Repeat elections in Israel may not be enough to overcome religious divisions Michael Freedman - June 6, 2019 Any resulting coalition would be unstable. Here’s why.
Jordanians worry that the ‘deal of the century’ will come at their expense Curtis Ryan - May 31, 2019 At a protest against the United States’ Middle East peace
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.
Trump’s Golan Heights tweet will have global consequences on territorial expansion Stacie Goddard - March 23, 2019 As if undercutting efforts to build a lasting peace with the Palestinians and the region weren’t enough.
Trump’s Golan Heights tweet disregards decades of U.S. commitment to U.N. resolutions Jeremy Pressman - March 22, 2019 Here’s what recognizing Israeli sovereignty of the strategic land could mean for the region.
Sorry, President Trump. Here’s why American Jews aren’t abandoning the Democratic Party. Michael Tesler - March 21, 2019 These three factors mean a “Jexodus” is unlikely any time soon.
Does the decline of U.S. power matter for the Middle East? Marc Lynch - March 19, 2019 Perceived or not, declining American primacy has real effects.
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
Youth revolts and political opposition in Jordan Wael Al-Khatib and Sean Yom - December 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81819" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Protesters demonstrate outside the Prime Minister's
Would it be ethical for the U.N. refugee agency to send Rohingya back to Myanmar? Mollie Gerver - December 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_81619" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Rohingya refugees shout slogans against repatriation
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
Has Mohammed bin Salman finally gone too far? Coates Ulrichsen - October 16, 2018 [caption id="attachment_78928" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
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,
Islamists are losing support in Jordan Wael Al-Khatib and Sean Yom - May 17, 2018 [caption id="attachment_63878" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A woman casts her ballot at
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
On Israel’s 70th anniversary, what does the region think? Dana El Kurd - May 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73331" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Palestinian man throws leaflets dropped
Is Russia interfering in Guatemala’s anti-corruption commission? The real story might surprise you. Rachel Schwartz - May 9, 2018 [caption id="attachment_73068" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Accompanied by Guatemala's Attorney General Thelma
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
Should the U.S. only give foreign aid to its friends? Well, define ‘friends.’ Jessica Trisko Darden - February 15, 2018 [caption id="attachment_39929" align="aligncenter" width="2366"] Flags of member nations fly outside
Israelis have been protesting government corruption for 61 weeks Noa Cnaan-On - February 5, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68882" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Yoaz Hendel, chairman of the Zionist
Why are Israel’s religious parties suddenly so influential? Michael Freedman - January 26, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68473" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Recent legislation solidifies the perception that
In December, thousands of Americans protested against the tax plan, for DACA and about all the other usual suspects Jeremy Pressman and Erica Chenoweth - January 25, 2018 This is the 12th installment in a monthly series reporting
As a candidate, Trump criticized Obama’s use of executive power. So guess what powers President Trump has been leaning on? Andrew Rudalevige - January 20, 2018 [caption id="attachment_68303" align="aligncenter" width="960"] President Trump waves as he walks
We asked experts to grade Trump’s first year as a president. Here’s what they said. Justin Vaughn and Brandon Rottinghaus - January 19, 2018 Just one year in, President Trump already has had a
Did Trump try to lose today’s United Nations vote on Israel? Erik Voeten - December 21, 2017 [caption id="attachment_67538" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the
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
Sleep, ‘Jerusalem, Pt. 1’: The Week In One Song Christopher Federico - December 8, 2017 President Trump moves to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of
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
How do women affect conflict, peace, and security? That depends on exactly what you’re asking. Joshua Tucker - September 29, 2017 [caption id="attachment_64226" align="aligncenter" width="960"] This file photo from October 19,
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
What Twitter can tell us about the Jerusalem protests Akin Unver - August 28, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62825" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian Muslims wave a national flag
Here’s what made Palestinian protests in East Jerusalem last month so successful Dana El Kurd - August 17, 2017 [caption id="attachment_62473" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Israeli security forces stand guard as
Jerusalem is especially volatile right now. This is why. Daniel Nerenberg - July 20, 2017 [caption id="attachment_61263" align="aligncenter" width="960"] A Palestinian man argues with Israeli
50 years after the Six-Day War, Israel’s pre-1967 borders are still a hot topic. Here’s why. Boaz Atzili - June 8, 2017 [caption id="attachment_59473" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The Israeli barrier between the Palestinian
The Palestinian president is visiting Washington. A new survey shows Americans divided on the peace process. Shibley Telhami - May 2, 2017 [caption id="attachment_57679" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the
How much coverage did CNN actually devote to Clinton’s emails? Here’s the data. Kalev Leetaru - February 1, 2017 In a world upended by online news and social media,
Why popular support isn’t necessary for an Israeli-Palestinian deal Norrin Ripsman - January 19, 2017 [caption id="attachment_52756" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Secretary of State John F. Kerry
Trump’s plan to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem could help the peace process Miriam Elman - December 29, 2016 President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to move the U.S. Embassy from
Jerusalem’s status won’t be as easy to settle as other real estate deals. Here’s why. Brent E. Sasley - December 25, 2016 [caption id="attachment_51807" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An Israeli flag waves in front
Three graphic novels to read to get through this election Marc Lynch - November 4, 2016 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Transmetropolitan (Courtesy of DC/Vertigo)[/caption] With the
The Brexit referendum: Britain between the past and the future Peter Hall - June 24, 2016 [caption id="attachment_42857" align="aligncenter" width="960"] The June 24 front page of
How Israel’s Jewishness is overtaking its democracy Shibley Telhami - March 8, 2016 [caption id="attachment_36900" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A demonstrator holds an Israeli flag
Okay, so what would a Trump presidency be like? Paul Sracic - March 2, 2016 Donald Trump is now the clear favorite to win the
How to (almost) eliminate the partisan divide on the Middle East Shibley Telhami - December 14, 2015 [caption id="attachment_33435" align="aligncenter" width="908"] Former Arkansas governor and former Republican
Netanyahu blames a Palestinian for the Holocaust. What does the evidence say? Evgeny Finkel - October 22, 2015 In October 2015, speaking to the 37th Zionist Congress, Israeli
Thinking beyond the two-state solution Michael Barnett - August 25, 2015 [caption id="attachment_28893" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A view of the Israeli barrier
The Supreme Court just gave presidential power a passport Andrew Rudalevige - June 9, 2015 [caption id="attachment_25841" align="alignleft" width="300"] Some parts of presidential foreign policy
Why isn’t there an anti-Iran alliance? Gregory Gause - June 3, 2015 The Iranian flag flies in front of a UN building
Why isn't there an anti-Iran alliance? - June 3, 2015 The Iranian flag flies in front of a UN building
Why Ethiopian Jews are protesting police violence in Israel Ben Porat and Fany Yuval - May 8, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24253" align="aligncenter" width="908"] A protester, an Israeli Jew of
Why Islamist insurgents are so difficult to coerce Yuri Zhukov and Duffy Toft - May 5, 2015 [caption id="attachment_24310" align="aligncenter" width="620" class="center"] Islamic fighters from al-Nusra Front
The weakening of the Israeli left Brent E. Sasley - March 19, 2015 [caption id="attachment_22895" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Israeli supporters of the center-left Zionist
Israel holds an election in 3 weeks. Here's what you need to know. Joshua Tucker - February 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21868" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Israeli worker hangs posters of
Israel holds an election in 3 weeks. Here’s what you need to know. Sefi Keller - February 27, 2015 [caption id="attachment_21868" align="aligncenter" width="620"] An Israeli worker hangs posters of
Fundamentalist wrath Ron Hassner - January 12, 2015 [caption id="attachment_20060" align="aligncenter" width="372"] British Muslims Protest the 2006 Danish
How Jordan uses Islam against the Islamic State Michael Robbins and Lawrence Rubin - November 19, 2014 [caption id="attachment_18262" align="aligncenter" width="620"] Jordanians and Syrian refugees pray in
Failing to forecast the Israeli-Palestinian crisis Charles Kurzman - July 29, 2014 [caption id="attachment_13758" align="aligncenter" width="620"] A Palestinian man runs in an
The threat or promise of justice in Palestine Mark Kersten / Managing Editor - July 9, 2014 On July 6, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas issued a
Will Israel's presidential election bring an unexpected result? Sefi Keller - June 9, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Dan Shechtman, a Nobel laureate
Will Israel’s presidential election bring an unexpected result? Sefi Keller - June 9, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Dan Shechtman, a Nobel laureate
When jihadists learn how to help Aaron Zelin - May 7, 2014 [caption id="attachment_10160" align="aligncenter" width="567" special=""] Members of the Libyan Salafi
The Homebound "Imperial Presidency" Andrew Rudalevige - April 9, 2014 [caption id="attachment_9026" align="alignleft" width="225" special=""] The ominous cover of the
The Homebound “Imperial Presidency” Andrew Rudalevige - April 9, 2014 [caption id="attachment_9026" align="alignleft" width="225" special=""] The ominous cover of the
How Putin’s domestic audience explains Russia’s behavior Boris Barkanov - March 13, 2014 [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="606" special=""] Russian President Vladimir Putin looks
2013 Israeli Pre-Election Report Joshua Tucker - January 2, 2013 Continuing our series of election reports, the following is a pre-election
Will Obama Pursue Israeli-Palestinian Peace? John Sides - November 9, 2012 This is a guest post by University of Connecticut political
Does Foreign Policy Stop at the Water’s Edge? Jerusalem Edition Erik Voeten - September 8, 2012 The kerfuffle over the removal and then reintroduction in the
Calling the Tune Andrew Rudalevige - November 8, 2011 The president "shall take care that the laws be faithfully
Some Observations on Israel Joshua Tucker - May 25, 2011 Dedicated readers of The Monkey Cage may have noticed that