Steven A. Cook

Steven A. Cook is a columnist at Foreign Policy and the Eni Enrico Mattei senior fellow for Middle East and Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. His latest book, The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East, will be published in June 2024.

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Articles by Steven A. Cook
Blinken and Abbas stand side by side and shake hands.
Blinken and Abbas stand side by side and shake hands.

This War Won’t Solve the Israel-Palestine Conflict
Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Blinken stands near a black SUV among U.S. and Saudi security personnel. A Saudi flag can be seen in the background.
Blinken stands near a black SUV among U.S. and Saudi security personnel. A Saudi flag can be seen in the background.

Saudi Arabia Is Mysteriously Absent in the Israel-Hamas War
Analysis
Steven A. Cook
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) shakes hands with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani following their meeting in Qatar’s capital city of Doha on Oct. 13.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (left) shakes hands with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani following their meeting in Qatar’s capital city of Doha on Oct. 13.

Why the U.S. Tolerates Qatar’s Hamas Ties
Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Demonstrators carry a large banner featuring the words "We will free Palestine within our lifetime."
Demonstrators carry a large banner featuring the words "We will free Palestine within our lifetime."

The Hamas Attack Has Changed Everything
Argument
Steven A. Cook
A Saudi man wearing a white traditional headdress walks past a framed Andy Warhol artwork.
A Saudi man wearing a white traditional headdress walks past a framed Andy Warhol artwork.

Saudi Arabia Really Wants You to Think It’s Cool
Analysis
Steven A. Cook
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