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.

Only Trump Can Save Israel from Its Own Government
Netanyahu’s plan to seize Gaza is a catastrophe for all.

What Was the Tipping Point on Gaza?
After almost two years of war, Israel is feeling the growing weight of governmental opprobrium.

The Next Israel-Iran War Is Coming
Both countries’ strategic calculus suggests it will be even more violent.
Israel-Hamas War

Could Images of the Famine in Gaza Change Israeli Public Opinion?
A newscast showing starving children prompted sympathy—and criticism.

Israel Isn’t a Hegemon Yet, But It’s Now a Revisionist Power
Netanyahu is seeking to remake the Middle East by force.

Biden’s Team Lied About Gaza. It’s Time to Hold Them Accountable.
Impunity for abetting war crimes weakens U.S. democracy.

Why Recognizing Palestine Is Meaningless or Even Harmful
Recent announcements by France, Britain, and Canada are mostly performative.
Iran-Israel Tensions

Strikes on Iran Show the Force, and Limits, of Airpower
Technical dominance can’t compel regime change.

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.

Iran and the Logic of Limited Wars
No one wants a long war, and doing nothing was no longer an option.
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.

Surprisingly, the Lebanon-Israel Cease-Fire Is Holding
Notwithstanding continued exchanges, the agreement is functioning and appears durable.

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.
Global Reactions

Can a ‘New’ Middle East Survive the ‘Old’?
To achieve regional progress, Arab leaders need to rethink the importance of resolving the Palestine question once and for all.

The Middle East’s Next Aftershocks
The Trump administration will find it hard to disengage from a region still being reshaped by the effects of Oct. 7.

Trump Has Leverage With Syria’s Neighbors—Here’s How He Should Use It
U.S. pressure on Israel and Turkey could help stabilize Syria.

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.
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

Netanyahu Is Getting What He Wants
International condemnation is not a problem as long as the Israeli government’s long-term objectives are advanced.

The Dangers of Weaponizing Antisemitism
As Gaza faces more death and starvation, criticism of Israel is needed more than ever.

Israel and Syria Should Prioritize Security Cooperation
Pushing too hard for a peace deal could come at the expense of more pragmatic action against shared threats.

Israel Is Sowing Chaos to Secure Displacement in Gaza
By making Gaza unlivable, Netanyahu has laid the groundwork for ethnic cleansing.

The News Cycle Is No Excuse for Ignoring Gaza
Don’t let the attention economy distract you from recognizing the catastrophe in Gaza.

The Lessons of Osirak for Israel and Iran
The 1981 strike on an Iraqi reactor jolted Baghdad’s nuclear program into high gear.

Less Gloating and More Diplomacy Are Needed to Heal the Middle East
In D.C. visit, Netanyahu is expected to toast Trump for U.S. attack on Iran.

For Netanyahu, Another Term as Israel’s Leader?
He’s hoping the Iran war will erase the stain of Oct. 7.

Don’t Let a Fake Victory Forestall Real Peace
Trump’s misplaced faith in the efficacy of the Iran attacks will bring more war.

Did Trump Just Lift Sanctions on Iranian Oil?
Ignoring Tehran’s oil shipments has been informal policy for years. What if Washington made it official?

Why Russia Is Sitting Out This Round of the Israel-Iran Conflict
As Putin’s dependence on Iran decreases, he seeks to maintain ties with Tehran’s regional rivals.

How the U.S. Locked Itself Into a Regime Change War
Trump’s insistence on zero enrichment was a poison pill in talks with Iran.

Trump Enraged as Iran-Israel Cease-Fire Wobbles
Israel accused Iran of violating the truce hours after agreeing to it.

Trump’s Iran Strikes Intensify War Powers Debate
The Trump administration did not give Congress advance warning of the attack, prompting outcry from Democrats and some Republicans.

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.