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 is The End of Ambition: America’s Past, Present, and Future in the Middle East.

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Articles by Steven A. Cook
In a photo supplied by the Saudi Royal Court, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
In a photo supplied by the Saudi Royal Court, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman embraces Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The Middle East’s Kumbaya Moment Won’t Last

Argument
Steven A. Cook
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.
President Joe Biden waves as he walks to Marine One for a departure from the Ellipse near the White House on May 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.

America’s Middle East Friendships Are Dying a Natural Death

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan reviews the guard of honour upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President, in Kiev, on October 9, 2017.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan reviews the guard of honour upon his arrival during a welcome ceremony ahead of a meeting with Ukrainian President, in Kiev, on October 9, 2017.

Ukraine’s War Is Erdogan’s Opportunity

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
A Muslim believer reads Koran before breaking his fast at the Al-Azhar mosque on May 12, 2019, as they mark the 1079th anniversary of the establishment of the mosque, during the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt's capital Cairo.
A Muslim believer reads Koran before breaking his fast at the Al-Azhar mosque on May 12, 2019, as they mark the 1079th anniversary of the establishment of the mosque, during the holy month of Ramadan in Egypt's capital Cairo.

Islamism Is Ready for a Comeback

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.
An Iranian flag flies next to a ground-to-ground Sejjil missile at an undisclosed location in Iran.

A New Iran Deal Means Old Chaos

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
General view of Burj Khalifa during sunset on January 3, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
General view of Burj Khalifa during sunset on January 3, 2017 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The Middle East’s Conflicts Aren’t Done With the Emirates

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Then-Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal Al Saud welcomes then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.
Then-Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud bin Faisal Al Saud welcomes then-U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

Biden’s Middle East Strategy Is Ruthless Pragmatism

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at at Cologne's airport, on September 29, 2018 in Cologne, where he is to inaugurate the Central Mosque, one of Europe's largest.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives at at Cologne's airport, on September 29, 2018 in Cologne, where he is to inaugurate the Central Mosque, one of Europe's largest.

Why One Man Can Ruin Turkey’s Economy

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gets the help of a bodyguard as he takes off his overcoat during his visit at the 'La Alhambra' in Granada, Spain, 13 January 2008 .
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan gets the help of a bodyguard as he takes off his overcoat during his visit at the 'La Alhambra' in Granada, Spain, 13 January 2008 .

Erdogan Has Never Been in This Much Trouble

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrives for a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on June 3, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi arrives for a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on June 3, 2015 in Berlin, Germany.

Why Dictators Always Pretend to Love the Law

Analysis
Steven A. Cook
A police officer is silhouetted.
A police officer is silhouetted.

Unvaccinated Police Officers Could Become America’s Own Insurgents

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 21, 2021 in New York.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives to address the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly on September 21, 2021 in New York.

Erdogan Might Be Too Sick to Keep Leading Turkey

Argument
Steven A. Cook
The U.S. and Egyptian presidents ride to an event.
The U.S. and Egyptian presidents ride to an event.

Democracy Was Never Going to Stop Islamist Terrorism

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Naftali Bennett visits an army base in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights overlooking Syrian territory, on Nov. 24, 2019.
Naftali Bennett visits an army base in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights overlooking Syrian territory, on Nov. 24, 2019.

Netanyahu Is Gone. Netanyahu-ism Still Reigns.

Argument
Steven A. Cook
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi listens as U.S. President Joe Biden speaks.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi listens as U.S. President Joe Biden speaks.

Iraq Is the Middle East’s New Power Broker

Argument
Steven A. Cook
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