Topic: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
Iran fires at US drone: the top 3 pressing questions
Iranian military forces fired at a US Predator drone for the first time ever earlier this month, the Pentagon acknowledged this week. It’s a revelation that has raised a host of questions for the US military. Here are the top three.
-
Why no safe zone in Syria, yet? 5 complications
The flood of Syrian refugees entering Turkey – as many as 5,000 a day for the last 10 days – has ratcheted up the pressure for a safe zone’s creation. But a safe zone is complicated and carries many risks.
All Content
-
Opinion: Turkey's shift on Syria gives West room to get tougher on Assad
After a decade of much warmer relations between Ankara and Damascus, Turkey’s tough new stance against the Assad regime's crackdown on protesters should provide Washington and the West with the opportunity – if not the impetus – to adopt a more assertive stance on Syria.
-
Obama's Middle East goal: Tie US policy closer to American values
Obama's insistence that US policy in the Middle East support, rather than thwart, popular yearnings for self-rule is a warning to autocrats in the region – and marks an 'update' since his Cairo speech.
-
Netanyahu brings starkly different vision to Obama's White House
While President Obama has voiced support for pro-democracy uprisings across the Middle East, the instability has made Israel's Netanyahu wary of making concessions for peace.
-
Once seen as shy reformer, Syria's Assad confounds hopes
Many thought that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was at heart a reformer. But his response to unprecedented protests and violence suggest otherwise.
-
US Air Force chief: Libya no-fly zone would be too little, too late
Many experts agree with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who told Congress Thursday that a no-fly zone in Libya 'would not be sufficient.' But there are other options short of putting troops on the ground, which President Obama has ruled out.
-
What are pros and cons of a no-fly zone over Libya?
As some Congressional leaders urges military intervention in Libya, the Pentagon emphasizes the difficulty of implementing a no-fly zone or other proposed military solutions.
-
How Egyptians toppled Mubarak – and who will lead them now
A grass-roots revolution outmaneuvered Mubarak's powerful regime. But bringing real democratic reform to Egypt will be harder without clear leadership.
-
Obama's pressure on Mubarak could cost US regional influence
As it increases pressure on Mubarak to resign, the US risks being seen as abandoning a longtime friend. The result could be the lasting mistrust of key Middle East partners.
-
Fort Hood attack: Did Army ignore red flags out of political correctness?
A Senate report on the Fort Hood attack suggests that the Army failed to heed warnings about the prime suspect because it was wary of singling out a devout Muslim.
-
Could Syria see an uprising like Egypt's? Not likely.
In Syria, opposition activists are organizing their own 'day of rage' – but longstanding intimidation tactics and repression make it unlikely significant numbers will be out on the streets.
-
Palestine papers: America's approach to peace talks 'a failed policy'?
The Palestine papers, leaked documents purporting to reveal details of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, may create obstacles to ongoing talks – or sweep away failed strategies and allow new progress.
-
Obama and Mideast peace: Time ripe to push again for breakthrough?
With political wins hard to come by at home, the president could look abroad for accomplishments to tout during the 2012 race.
-
US sends ambassador to Syria for the first time in six years
US ambassador Robert Ford faces a daunting list of diplomatic concerns in Syria. If he fails to make headway, the Senate could bring him home by year's end.
-
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators fault US focus on settlements
Both sides, together with the US, appear to be regrouping after the Obama administration gave up on securing another settlement freeze.
-
In Qom, Khamenei aims to cement leadership over clerics
Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei made a high-profile visit to Qom today to demonstrate his leadership over a religious establishment divided by last year's election.
-
A divided Lebanon waits for Iran's Ahmadinejad
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is making his first visit to Lebanon tomorrow. Hezbollah awaits with joy, its political opponents complain of Iranian meddling, and Israel is eying its northern border.
-
Will Abbas get, and accept, a two-month settlement freeze?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is backing a 'loyalty oath' to appease Israel's right wing, and there are indications that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will be offered a two-month settlement freeze to keep peace talks going.
-
Deadline extended in bid to keep Israel-Palestinian talks alive
Palestinian leaders say continued settlement expansion in the West Bank could halt peace talks by the end of the week. Is an acceptable compromise in the works?
-
West Bank dispute: Palestinian leader gives peace talks one-week reprieve
One day after Israeli moratorium on settlements expires, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas delays his decision on whether to quit the US-backed Middle East peace talks for one week.
-
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks under threat from Hamas. Can Syria help?
US envoy George Mitchell arrived in Damascus today after Israeli-Palestinian peace talks culminated in Jerusalem. He may ask President Bashar Assad to lean on Hamas amid fresh Gaza air strikes.
-
Why the Israeli 'consensus' on settlements is not so simple
Israelis often refer to a 'consensus' that several major settlement blocs should be incorporated into Israel as part of a two-state solution. But some Israelis can't even find them on a map.
-
Israeli-Palestinian peace talks: why this time might go better
Conditions may be ripe for progress in the Israeli-Palestinian talks, some Middle East experts say. For one thing, Obama is starting the process much earlier in his tenure than some presidents.
-
Opinion: Passing of Shiite cleric Fadlallah spells trouble for Lebanon
The death of Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah paves the way for a more militant, Iranian-influenced strain of Islamic ideology to gain ground in Lebanon.
-
Editorial Board Blog
Turkey and Israel meet secretly: Has reason returned?Perhaps leaders in Israel and Turkey are beginning to realize the dire consequences of burying their important relationship over the unfortunate incident with the Gaza flotilla.
-
US-Iran dynamic: Why US effort to leverage Syria is flagging
In a bid to strengthen Washington's hand in the US-Iran dynamic, President Obama has sought to woo Syria. But as those efforts stall, Syria is drawing closer to Iranian-backed Hezbollah.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community