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

After Hamas Attacks, Terror Threats Are on the Rise
Terror groups compete for funds and thrive on attention. That makes the world a much more dangerous place after Oct. 7.

Why Erdogan Is Unlikely to Cut Ties With Hamas
It seems that the Turkish president is once again ready to burn bridges with Israel.

Cairo Needs Cash and Gazans Need Shelter. Can a Deal Be Brokered?
The war has put Egypt in the spotlight—but taking in Palestinian refugees is fraught.

Israel’s Hostage Families Feel Abandoned by Israel
They feel trapped in a nightmare—and ignored by their government.

Biden’s Unquestioning Support for Israel Could Be a Costly Error
Washington’s tunnel vision risks eroding U.S. standing in the global south.

What the Use of White Phosphorus Means in Warfare
Israel’s use of the deadly chemical would violate international norms.

Where Does Russia Stand on the Israel-Hamas War?
Moscow may temporarily profit from the West’s focus on the Middle East, but navigating its ties in the region will be tricky.

How Israel’s Spies Failed—and Why Escalation Could Be Catastrophic
The culture of intelligence agencies paved the way for disaster. Regional war could revive the nuclear specter that haunted the world in 1973.

The End of Biden’s Middle East Mirage
The administration’s regional security concept has collapsed. Does the president know it?

What Can the U.N. Do Now?
The president of the General Assembly talks about the organization's possible next steps in the Israel-Hamas war.

This War Is Wrought With Historical Trauma
For both Israelis and Palestinians, the past 10 days have evoked memories of their worst suffering.

America Is a Root Cause of Israel and Palestine’s Latest War
How 30 years of U.S. policy ended in disaster.

David Petraeus: Why 9/11 Is a Cautionary Tale for Israel
The retired U.S. general and former CIA director on lessons from the war on terrorism and why military action is necessary—but not sufficient.

Lebanon Knows It Is on the Edge of the Abyss
The war in Gaza could soon spread to a country that can’t afford it in any way.

The Israel-Hamas War Is Testing China’s Diplomatic Strategy
Beijing’s “pro-Palestinian neutrality” could help in mediating the conflict.

What Putin Stands to Gain From Israel-Hamas War
Conflict in the Middle East comes as a long-awaited distraction from Ukraine.