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

Trump Should Not Give Israel a Pass on Gaza Blockade
By doing so, he makes Palestinian suffering U.S. policy.

Is Israel Preparing for a Long-term Occupation of Gaza?
Palestinian American peace activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib discusses where he thinks the war is heading.

Proposed Laws Would Devastate Rights Groups in Israel
Netanyahu’s government is targeting their foreign funding.

The Old War Is Over in Gaza, and a New One Is Underway
Israel’s tactics have changed and so have its objectives.

War in Gaza the ‘Worst Ever Conflict for Reporters’
A new report says Israel is waging an “unrelenting war on the press.”

A New Marshall Plan for Gaza
A successful Arab-led reconstruction plan requires a lasting cease-fire and full demilitarization of Hamas.

Why Did Israel Restart the War in Gaza?
The likelihood of the cease-fire being salvaged in the near future appears extremely low.

State Commissions Have Probed Israel’s Worst Security Failures—But Not Oct. 7
Netanyahu fears the findings might end his political career.

Who Will Rule Over Gaza After the War?
U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, and Egypt have all made proposals on postwar governance in the enclave.

Gaza Is the Land of No Good Options
Only an outside-the-box solution can avert the current trajectory.

Documentary on West Bank Evictions Wins Big at Oscars
An Israeli co-director of the documentary said U.S. foreign policy was blocking peace.

Israel’s Lapid Lays Out Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan
The opposition leader’s proposal would see Egypt take temporary control of the enclave and oversee its reconstruction.

Trump’s Plan to ‘Clean Out’ Gaza Could Upend Jordan
The country’s role as a regional stabilizer is at risk if it takes on more Palestinian refugees.

Good Optics But Empty Pockets
Netanyahu should lower expectations ahead of his meeting with Trump.

Israel’s UNRWA Ban, Explained
“It’s very hard to see how this is going to bring more stability to Gaza,” one expert said.

Is Turkey Breaking Its Own Oil Embargo?
As Erdogan champions the Palestinian cause, evidence suggests that his regime is facilitating support for Israel.