Middle East

U. S. President Donald Trump announced that the airspace above and around Venezuela should be seen as fully closed. This statement comes as the U. S. increases pressure on President Nicolas Maduro’s government. Trump has mentioned the possibility of U. S. military strikes against drug boats in the …

Concerns are mounting over alleged efforts by Joseph Jabely, a senior advisor to Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Force Party in Lebanon, to discredit rival political factions and escalate pressure against them through engagements in Washington D.C. and Chicago. According to sources, Jabely conducted approximately meetings with …

Abdulla Al Junaid Designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization should be a pillar of the emerging Middle East security architecture. The United States stands at a pivotal moment in its Middle East policy. As Congress advances legislation to designate the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) as a foreign …

Leon Hadar A more independent Israeli foreign policy toward Washington would improve both the US and Israeli positions in the Middle East. Has Israel evolved from an independent nation-state into something resembling a province within an American informal empire? The question is uncomfortable for both American and Israeli …

Rany Ballout The Lebanese government may never have a better opportunity to demilitarize Hezbollah than now. Now that the US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza appears to be holding, does it signify that an Israeli war against Hezbollah is imminent? Recentdevelopments along the Israel-Lebanon border increasingly suggest that a major …

Tariffs, aid reduction, and diplomatic understaffing are eroding US influence, and critical mineral deals alone won’t revive it. Editor’s Note: The Red Cell series is published in collaboration with the Stimson Center. Drawing upon the legacy of the CIA’s Red Cell—established following the September 11 attacks to avoid …

Seth J. Frantzman The Trump administration is playing a key role in winding down conflicts throughout the Middle East. However, high-level engagement is also fraught with risks. The United States is playing an increasingly significant role in several countries in the region. In several cases, the White House …

Maya Carlin The Rafale will undoubtedly elevate Ukraine’s defensive efforts against Russia. Ukraine’s defensive arsenal against Russia continues to grow. From main battle tanks and airframes to drones and infantry fighting vehicles, Kyiv has received billions of dollars’ worth of military aid and equipment from the United States …

Abdulla Al Junaid US-Saudi ties need real momentum behind them, not just a series of business deals and continued discussion about Israeli normalization. As Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman touches down in Washington on November 18 for his first visit to the United States in seven years, …