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

Iran’s Military Just Lost Its ‘Brain Trust’
Israeli strikes killed several of Iran’s top military commanders.

A Victory for Israel
Israel’s strikes keep Iran out of the nuclear club.

Nuclear Claims Are a Smoke Screen for Hopes of Toppling Iran
The Israeli strikes aren’t about facilities or centrifuges, but regime change.

Oil Prices Spike After Israeli Attacks on Iran
Traders fear a wider conflict, even if oil facilities haven’t been targeted yet.

Iran’s Options for Retaliating Against Israel Have Narrowed
Its proxies are weakened, and its arsenals have been degraded.

Israel Is Going for the Death Blow on Iran
The Israeli attack on Iran is about much more than its nuclear program.

Israel Strikes Iran
The attack comes after a frenzy of speculation that Israel was planning to take military action against Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Is Israel Becoming a Pariah State?
Stalwart allies are distancing themselves, including Germany and the United Kingdom.

Trump and Netanyahu Were Marching in Lockstep—Until They Weren’t
For the first time in decades, a U.S. president is veering away from Israel.

Trump Could Put Gaza on a Better Path With One Tweet
He says he wants to end the war—his Gaza Riviera plan is prolonging it.

Families of Hostages Speak Out Against New Israeli Offensive in Gaza
One family member warned that the military action could “endanger the lives of the hostages.”

Why Khamenei Is Betting on Trump
The calculus behind Iran’s stunning reversal on a new nuclear deal.

Trump Isn’t Following the Script on Israel
In dealing with Netanyahu, the U.S. president appears to actually be living up to his campaign slogan to put America first.

How the Oct. 7 Attack on Israel Sank the Palestinian Cause
The war in Gaza galvanized sympathy for Palestinians but little more.

Israeli Attacks on Syria Risk Destabilizing Jordan
King Abdullah II faces backlash against his country’s peace deal with Israel.

For the First Time Since Oct. 7, a Broad Israeli Backlash Against the War in Gaza
Israelis want the hostages home, even if it means ending the fighting.