Insider

Your all-access pass to FP

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.

By , the editor in chief of Foreign Policy.
No audio? Hover over the video player, and tap the Click to Unmute button.

Already an FP Subscriber?

On-demand recordings of FP Live conversations are available to FP subscribers.

Israel-Hamas War

News, analysis, and background on the ongoing conflict.

More on this topic

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “destroy” Hamas, the militant group that launched the deadliest attack on Israel in the country’s history. But how exactly does Israel’s military plan to root out a group that is scattered among 2.3 million people in Gaza and that holds an estimated 200 Israeli hostages?

Ravi Agrawal is the editor in chief of Foreign Policy. Twitter: @RaviReports

Read More On Gaza | Israel | Military | Palestine | U.S. Foreign Policy | United States | War

Join the Conversation

Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription.

Already a subscriber? .

View Comments

Join the Conversation

Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now.

Not your account?

View Comments

Join the Conversation

Please follow our comment guidelines, stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs.

You are commenting as .

Read More

Chinese President Xi Jinping walks closely in front of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in front of a group of Chinese soldiers wearing formal uniforms. Both officials wear dark suits and look down at something out of view.
Chinese President Xi Jinping walks closely in front of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in front of a group of Chinese soldiers wearing formal uniforms. Both officials wear dark suits and look down at something out of view.

The Israel-Hamas War Is Testing China’s Diplomatic Strategy

Beijing’s “pro-Palestinian neutrality” could help in mediating the conflict.

Report
Lili Pike
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) in Jerusalem.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (not pictured) in Jerusalem.

What Putin Stands to Gain From Israel-Hamas War

Conflict in the Middle East comes as a long-awaited distraction from Ukraine.

Analysis
Amy Mackinnon, Jack Detsch
Rep. Jim Jordan speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting to debate a new House speaker at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
Rep. Jim Jordan speaks to reporters as House Republicans hold a caucus meeting to debate a new House speaker at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

How Congressional Chaos Hampers U.S. Aid to Israel, Ukraine

Republican infighting continues as emergency crisis response funding is put on ice.

Report
Robbie Gramer

Latest

What Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Gets Wrong About War

How Women Are Reconciling Feminism With Faith

Israel Renews Strikes on Gaza After Weeklong Truce

Kissinger’s Great Game

Did Henry Kissinger Further U.S. National Interests or Harm Them?
See All Stories

Editors’ Picks

  1. 1
    What Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Gets Wrong About War
  2. 2
    Bukele’s Bitcoin Mess and the U.S.-Backed Bank That Enabled It
  3. 3
    Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
  4. 4
    Grading Biden on the Israel-Hamas War

More from Foreign Policy

The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.
The USS Nimitz and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and South Korean Navy warships sail in formation during a joint naval exercise off the South Korean coast.

America Is a Heartbeat Away From a War It Could Lose

Global war is neither a theoretical contingency nor the fever dream of hawks and militarists.

A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.
A protester waves a Palestinian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, during a demonstration calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. People sit and walk on the grass lawn in front of the protester and barricades.

The West’s Incoherent Critique of Israel’s Gaza Strategy

The reality of fighting Hamas in Gaza makes this war terrible one way or another.

Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.
Biden dressed in a dark blue suit walks with his head down past a row of alternating U.S. and Israeli flags.

Biden Owns the Israel-Palestine Conflict Now

In tying Washington to Israel’s war in Gaza, the U.S. president now shares responsibility for the broader conflict’s fate.

U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.
U.S. President Joe Biden is seen in profile as he greets Chinese President Xi Jinping with a handshake. Xi, a 70-year-old man in a dark blue suit, smiles as he takes the hand of Biden, an 80-year-old man who also wears a dark blue suit.

Taiwan’s Room to Maneuver Shrinks as Biden and Xi Meet

As the latest crisis in the straits wraps up, Taipei is on the back foot.

Trending

  1. What Ridley Scott’s ‘Napoleon’ Gets Wrong About War
    Review
    Franz-Stefan Gady

  2. Chinese Hospitals Are Housing Another Deadly Outbreak
    Argument
    Annie Sparrow

  3. Bukele’s Bitcoin Mess and the U.S.-Backed Bank That Enabled It
    Deep Dive
    Danielle Mackey

  4. Grading Biden on the Israel-Hamas War
    Argument
    Steven Simon, Aaron David Miller

  5. The True Story of the Genetically Modified Superfood That Almost Saved Millions
    Excerpt
    Ed Regis