Middle East Crisis
News, analysis, and background on the Israel-Hamas war and regional conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies.

Meet the New Middle East, Same as the Old Middle East
Everything has changed in the region, and nothing is different.

Hezbollah Is Weak Enough for Lebanon to Finally Disarm It
The government and army are taking back their own country.

Israel Escalates War Against Hamas With Doha Strike
Qatar decried the strike as a violation of international law.

The Next Israel-Iran War Is Coming
Both countries’ strategic calculus suggests it will be even more violent.
Israel-Hamas War

What Was the Tipping Point on Gaza?
After almost two years of war, Israel is feeling the growing weight of governmental opprobrium.

Israel Isn’t a Hegemon Yet, But It’s Now a Revisionist Power
Netanyahu is seeking to remake the Middle East by force.

Why Israel’s War in Gaza Has Been So Deadly for Journalists
Israel is directly targeting media workers, rights groups warn.

Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Harmful
Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada are mostly performative.
Iran-Israel Tensions

There’s More Than One Way to Build a Bomb
Iran doesn’t need to rebuild its damaged facilities to sprint for a nuclear weapon.

Iran’s Collapse Could Cause a Nuclear Security Nightmare
Washington would struggle to secure dangerous materials, technologies, and expertise.

Iran Is Islamism’s Last Lifeline in the Middle East
Without support from a weakened Tehran, the region’s extremist movements would wither.

What the War Changed Inside Iran
The regime has been pushed to the edge of strategic pivot.
Israel and Hezbollah

Hezbollah Is Trying to Spin Loss as Victory
Assad’s fall and Israel’s offensive give Lebanese a chance to reclaim their country.

Lebanon’s Demining Mission Faces Aid Uncertainty
Cuts to foreign assistance and a fragile cease-fire have made the urgent work more dangerous.

Lebanon’s Success Depends on Sidelining Hezbollah
The new government in Beirut is the country’s best chance for reform in years—but support from Washington and Riyadh will be crucial.

Washington Has One Chance to Help Disarm Hezbollah
As Lebanon moves to confront the country’s most dangerous militia, U.S. support will be vital.
Regional Dynamics

In the Middle East, a Cold War Redux?
China and the U.S. are competing for influence in the troubled region.

Ankara’s New Syrian Headache
Toppling Assad didn’t solve Turkey’s problems—it made them worse.

How Israel’s Strikes on the Houthis Will Change Yemen
For years, the group has relied on the perception that it is untouchable.

Qué Sharaa, Sharaa
With concrete steps, Washington can keep Syria’s future on track.
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Why the Oslo Peace Process Failed
And what it means for future negotiators.

The Palestinian Leader Who Survived the Death of Palestine
What would it mean for Hussein al-Sheikh to lead a people whose dream of independence is no longer alive?

How Will This War End? How Can the Next One be Prevented?
FP asks experts two questions about the fighting between Israelis and Palestinians.

All the Palestinians Got From Oslo Was KFC
Thirty years of the peace process has left us with less land and fewer rights.
Latest Stories

A Future Look Back at Israel’s War on Hamas
How a pre-mortem analysis could limit potential failures in Gaza.

The United Nations Completely Failed in Lebanon
How a U.N. peacekeeping mission may have inadvertently produced Israel’s next war.

The Trouble With a Cease-Fire
And what the international community should do instead in the Israel-Hamas war.

Could Hamas Become a Global Threat?
The militant group seems to be hoping that its ideology, cause, and brand will go global the way the Islamic State’s did.

Why Biden Won’t Break With Netanyahu
The U.S. would rather downplay its differences with Israel over the war in Gaza.

What Has Hamas Accomplished?
Since Oct. 7, Hamas has made tangible gains—but they’ve come at an extremely high price.

Defining Away Palestinians’ Right to Resist
What does it mean to say that rising up against injustice is impermissible?

Congress Should Ask Hard Questions About Israel Aid
A hard-right government is using U.S. money for worrying ends.

It’s Time to Reconsider U.S. Military Aid
As Congress stalls, the U.S. public has good reason to demand more transparency on Biden’s funding for Ukraine and Israel.

Why Israel Needs America’s Tough Love
An argument for making U.S. aid conditional on steps toward Palestinian statehood.

Why Israel Will Probably End Up Reoccupying Gaza
Everyone seems to agree it is a bad idea. It might happen anyway.

Rashid Khalidi: Biden Deserves an “F” on the Middle East
The Palestinian-American historian and professor on the road ahead after Oct. 7.

Grading Biden on the Israel-Hamas War
For a crisis with so many moving parts, the U.S. president has fared pretty well.

Will the Cease-Fire Change Israel’s Strategy?
Biden is telling Netanyahu to tread lightly.

Israel Weighing Special Court for Palestinian Suspects in Oct. 7 Massacre
Hamas defendants would potentially have fewer rights and could face the death penalty.

Jordan’s Teetering Balancing Act
Amid mass pro-Palestine protests, the monarchy is caught between the United States, Israel, and its own people.