Steven A. Cook


Steven A. Cook is a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. His latest book is The End of Ambition: Americas Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East.

Articles by Steven A. Cook
Reporters raise their hands in the foreground as Donald Trump gestures with his arms wide behind a podium. On the left, Benjamin Netanyahu looks sideways at Trump from behind a podium.
Reporters raise their hands in the foreground as Donald Trump gestures with his arms wide behind a podium. On the left, Benjamin Netanyahu looks sideways at Trump from behind a podium.
Palestinians riding on a cart are refected on a mirror in the shape of the map of Palestine in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip on February 7, 2024 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group.
Palestinians riding on a cart are refected on a mirror in the shape of the map of Palestine in Rafah, on the southern Gaza Strip on February 7, 2024 amid ongoing battles between Israel and the militant Hamas group.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walks on stage to address supporters during a campaign rally on May 26, 2023 in Istanbul.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walks on stage to address supporters during a campaign rally on May 26, 2023 in Istanbul.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on November 13, 2024 in Washington.
President Joe Biden shakes hands with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on November 13, 2024 in Washington.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a ceremony marking the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating a decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence, in Ankara, on August 30, 2018.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visits the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, founder of modern Turkey, during a ceremony marking the 96th anniversary of Victory Day, commemorating a decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence, in Ankara, on August 30, 2018.
Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Future Investment Initiative FII conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 24, 2018.
Mohammed bin Salman arrives at the Future Investment Initiative FII conference in the Saudi capital Riyadh on October 24, 2018.
A crowd swirls around Yahya Sinwar. Some hold guns in the air.
A crowd swirls around Yahya Sinwar. Some hold guns in the air.
Soldiers with the Israel Defense Forces stand near a military vehicle on March 4, 2024 in southern Israel near the border with Gaza.
Soldiers with the Israel Defense Forces stand near a military vehicle on March 4, 2024 in southern Israel near the border with Gaza.
Smoke billows as an Egyptian farmer burns hay stubbles in Qaliubia, some 40 kilometers north of Cairo on Oct. 23, 2006.
Smoke billows as an Egyptian farmer burns hay stubbles in Qaliubia, some 40 kilometers north of Cairo on Oct. 23, 2006.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) at the Pentagon in Washington on June 25.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (R) meets with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (L) at the Pentagon in Washington on June 25.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Ehud Barak gesture and smile in Tel Aviv on Nov. 26, 2012.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and then-Defense Minister Ehud Barak gesture and smile in Tel Aviv on Nov. 26, 2012.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat walk at Camp David, Maryland, on July 11, 2000.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, U.S. President Bill Clinton, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat walk at Camp David, Maryland, on July 11, 2000.
A U.S. solderi holding a gun and wearing a helmet provides cover for other soldiers seen behind him out of focus.
A U.S. solderi holding a gun and wearing a helmet provides cover for other soldiers seen behind him out of focus.
US President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022.
US President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022.