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

Why the Global South Is Accusing America of Hypocrisy
Many countries perceive a double standard in the West’s contrasting responses to Gaza and Ukraine.

The Storm of Dissent Brewing in the State Department
U.S. diplomats are split over Biden’s perceived blank-check support for Israel.

Egyptian Dissidents Are the Collateral Damage of U.S. Support for Israel
Washington ignores Sisi’s human rights abuses in exchange for his enforcement of Gaza’s blockade.

Ehud Barak on Israel’s Next Steps
The former Israeli army chief and prime minister says: “We will probably lose the support of public opinion in many parts of the free world.”

On Gaza, the U.N. Struggles for Relevance
As on Ukraine and other critical issues, the multilateral body is trapped in political theater.

Universities Shouldn’t Ever Take Sides in a War
Why academic institutions should always avoid taking sides.

Israel’s High-Tech Surveillance Was Never Going to Bring Peace
Leaders used technology to insulate Israelis from conflict rather than addressing its root causes.

The Israel-Hamas War Has Entered a ‘New Phase.’ Here’s What to Expect.
As Israel shifts from an air-only approach to one involving its ground forces in Gaza, it will face new challenges and dilemmas.

How Qatar Became the Middle East’s Indispensable Mediator
Doha’s critical role in the race to free the hostages trapped in Gaza.

‘We Will Never Forgive Netanyahu for What He Did to Us’
Israeli journalist and Hamas attack survivor Amir Tibon on how his community is coping.

How Many Wars Can America Fight at the Same Time?
The country’s adversaries around the world may sense Washington is stretched too thin.

Saudi Arabia Is Mysteriously Absent in the Israel-Hamas War
Mohammed bin Salman has pitched the kingdom as the most influential country in the Middle East, yet he has dropped the ball on actual diplomacy.

Israel’s Military Tech Fetish Is a Failed Strategy
A fixation on technology created an illusion of safety—and an excuse to avoid hard choices.

U.S. to Bolster Israel’s Missile Defenses
The Iron Dome may not be so ironclad if Hezbollah joins the war.

The War With Hamas Could Threaten Israel’s Imports
If shipping companies decide Israeli ports are too risky, the country could soon find itself running out of food.

The World Can’t Solve the Israel-Hamas War Without Egypt
Although it will prove a challenging partner, Cairo has critical interests and strong leverage in Gaza.