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

Iran Launches Reprisal Attack on U.S. Base in Qatar
Tehran fired at least six missiles toward Qatar, which is home to the United States’ Al Udeid Air Base.

How to Fix the Cracks in the Nuclear Dam
The crisis in the Middle East shows why the world must repair Trump’s damage to the nonproliferation landscape.

Trump Makes Devastating Strike on U.S. Diplomatic Credibility
The attack on Iran makes it harder to get any adversaries to the table.

Why Trump Changed His Mind on Iran
For months, he seemed to prefer a nuclear deal over military action—until he didn’t.

Why a Wider War With Iran Is Unlikely
The regime is too weak to escalate or dash to a bomb.

World Leaders Urge Restraint Following U.S. Strikes on Iran
Global reactions remain mixed, with many Western and regional powers calling for a return to diplomacy while stopping short of condemning U.S. military involvement.

How Trump Could Lose This War
U.S. strikes were limited, but the campaign against Iran could still get messy.

Trump Warns Iran to Make Peace or Risk Further U.S. Strikes
Read the full text of U.S. President Donald Trump’s speech.

The U.S. Has Bombed Iran’s Nuclear Sites
U.S. President Donald Trump said the attack was “very successful.”

Trump Lacks the Patience for Peace
Why the mercurial president has failed to deliver on his anti-war rhetoric.

The Many Ways U.S. Involvement in the War on Iran Could Go Badly
Trump initially showed caution but now seems to want the credit.

Israel’s Long Road to Regional Dominance
First it humiliated the Arabs, then the Iranians—but Israel still needs Trump.

Intelligence Window Might Have Been a Factor in Timing of Israeli Attack on Iran
Strategic concerns and domestic politics also played a role.

Netanyahu’s Future in the Balance
Can victory over Iran secure the Israeli leader’s legacy?

Democrats Should Reclaim the Anti-War Mantle From Trump
By backing Israel’s attack on Iran, Trump violated his anti-war pledge. Will his opponents take advantage of it?

Can the Gulf’s Iran Policy Survive the War?
Israel and the Gulf have rival visions for Iran’s role in the region. Now Washington has to pick one.