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
Modi’s Comments on Israel-Gaza War Signal Shift
Forthrightly expressing solidarity with Israel, India steps away from a long-held approach toward the Palestinians.
3 Factors That Will Shape the Israel-Hamas War
The conflict could quickly turn into a military quagmire.
Why the Israeli Hostages Face Grim Prospects
Boaz Ganor, an experienced hostage negotiator, explains the trade-offs confronting Israel’s government.
‘Israel Has No Intention of Giving Hamas a Prize’
A peace activist involved in previous hostage negotiations describes how Netanyahu will handle the release of abducted Israelis.
The View From Ramallah
Palestinians see a double standard in Western support for Ukraine’s fight against occupation.
The Israel-Hamas War Could Upend Global Energy Security
If the conflict worsens, spillover effects could disrupt gas production and major shipping chokepoints.
What Israeli Intelligence Got Wrong About Hamas
Hubris and toxic politics fueled a mistaken belief in containment.
‘Palestinians Live in a State of Despair’
Regional expert Khaled Elgindy on the political future of the Palestinian people.
The Geopolitics of Palestine, Explained
Gaza wasn’t always the hot spot it is today.
A Guide to Palestinian and Other Anti-Israel Factions
Hamas is not the only group vying to lead the Palestinians—or the fight against Israel.
‘Negotiation Is the Only Solution’
Why Aaron David Miller still believes in a Middle East peace process.
Can Hamas Be Destroyed?
Israel’s goals in its current war may be too expansive to achieve.
Laying Siege to Gaza Is No Solution
U.S. support for Israel’s incursion could enable mass atrocities.
The Hamas Attack Has Changed Everything
The starting point for the new Middle East will be an Israeli reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, not an Israeli Embassy in Riyadh.
Will Hezbollah Join the War Against Israel?
If the Lebanese group does more than fire a few missiles in solidarity, it would dramatically escalate the current conflict.
Netanyahu’s Road to War
The Israeli leader sought to sideline the Palestinians while wooing the Arab states. Now he faces a bloody backlash.