Middle East Crisis
News, analysis, and background on the Israel-Hamas war and regional conflict between Israel and Iran and its proxies.
As the War in Gaza Winds Down, the West Bank Is a Flash Point
If Trump wants peace, he must block Israel’s annexationist policies.
Trump’s Foreign Policy Is Not as Successful as You Think
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that the Gaza deal proves Trump’s diplomatic chops.
One Question Looming Over the Gaza Deal: Why Now?
An outline of the agreement had been on the table for months.
Doctor in Gaza Says Cease-Fire Brings Hope but Challenges Remain
An MSF doctor talks about the dire needs in Gaza as the cease-fire begins.
Israel-Hamas War
What We Can Learn From Trump’s Success in Gaza
In diplomacy, style now matters just as much as substance.
Two Ways Oct. 7 Changed Israel and One Way It Didn’t
The impact will be felt for years, even if Trump’s peace plan succeeds.
Can Palestinians Trust Donald Trump?
Only U.S. pressure will ensure that Israel honors the Gaza cease-fire.
Two Years After Oct. 7, a Trail of What-Ifs
Decisions made early on set the path for a devastating war.
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.
The Next Israel-Iran War Is Coming
Both countries’ strategic calculus suggests it will be even more violent.
Israel and Hezbollah
Hezbollah Is Weak Enough for Lebanon to Finally Disarm It
The government and army are taking back their own 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.
Hezbollah Is Trying to Spin Loss as Victory
Assad’s fall and Israel’s offensive give Lebanese a chance to reclaim their country.
Regional Dynamics
America’s Accidental New Military Ally
The Trump administration has made an unprecedentedly sloppy security guarantee to Qatar.
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.
Buying the Hatchet
How arms deals are helping Sharaa to make up with Moscow.
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.
How Washington’s Israel-Palestine Peace Process Theology Failed Again and Again
Trump’s plan is just the latest example.
Latest Stories
A Future Look Back at Israel’s War on Hamas
How a pre-mortem analysis could limit potential failures in Gaza.
The United Nations Completely Failed in Lebanon
How a U.N. peacekeeping mission may have inadvertently produced Israel’s next war.
The Trouble With a Cease-Fire
And what the international community should do instead in the Israel-Hamas war.
Could Hamas Become a Global Threat?
The militant group seems to be hoping that its ideology, cause, and brand will go global the way the Islamic State’s did.
Why Biden Won’t Break With Netanyahu
The U.S. would rather downplay its differences with Israel over the war in Gaza.
What Has Hamas Accomplished?
Since Oct. 7, Hamas has made tangible gains—but they’ve come at an extremely high price.
Defining Away Palestinians’ Right to Resist
What does it mean to say that rising up against injustice is impermissible?
Congress Should Ask Hard Questions About Israel Aid
A hard-right government is using U.S. money for worrying ends.
It’s Time to Reconsider U.S. Military Aid
As Congress stalls, the U.S. public has good reason to demand more transparency on Biden’s funding for Ukraine and Israel.
Why Israel Needs America’s Tough Love
An argument for making U.S. aid conditional on steps toward Palestinian statehood.
Why Israel Will Probably End Up Reoccupying Gaza
Everyone seems to agree it is a bad idea. It might happen anyway.
Rashid Khalidi: Biden Deserves an “F” on the Middle East
The Palestinian-American historian and professor on the road ahead after Oct. 7.
Grading Biden on the Israel-Hamas War
For a crisis with so many moving parts, the U.S. president has fared pretty well.
Will the Cease-Fire Change Israel’s Strategy?
Biden is telling Netanyahu to tread lightly.
Israel Weighing Special Court for Palestinian Suspects in Oct. 7 Massacre
Hamas defendants would potentially have fewer rights and could face the death penalty.
Jordan’s Teetering Balancing Act
Amid mass pro-Palestine protests, the monarchy is caught between the United States, Israel, and its own people.