Donald Trump’s Lebanon Race
US rewards for Lebanon should follow, rather than precede, Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Levant
As the Shia Crescent Wanes, Aoun Stakes Lebanon’s Future on Washington
As Iran’s once-expanding “Shia Crescent” of influence across Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen wanes, a new American-led regional order is emerging. Ahead of his first visit to the White House, Lebanese...
Op-eds
Turkey’s Hejaz Railway Revival Is a Bid To Undermine Israel’s Regional Role
A railway originally built by the Ottoman Empire to project power across the Arab world is receiving a second lease on life as Turkey launches its latest bid to become the Middle East’s logistics...
Policy Briefs
US Syria Envoy Barrack tapped for Syria and Iraq role
On May 31, President Donald Trump said he was naming US Ambassador Tom Barrack as special presidential envoy to Syria and Iraq. The announcement came a day after it had appeared that Barrack’s role as...
Op-eds
How the UAE Is Cracking Down on Illicit Iranian Finance
Iran’s attacks on the Gulf state have created an opportunity to starve Iran’s proxy network of funds.
Op-eds
Is the Islamic Republic Down and Out in the Levant and Beyond?
Since October 7, 2023, Iran’s theocracy has watched its entire westward foreign policy crash, disabled by an Israeli counterattack and its shockwaves.
Op-eds
For a Better Druze Future, Jumblatt Needs New Ideas
Walid Jumblatt, Lebanon’s most seasoned and cunning political operator, has navigated every twist of the country’s turmoil since taking the reins of the Druze community in 1977. Convinced that his...
Op-eds
The End of the Middle East’s Oil Bonanza
The Middle East has finally arrived at the grim reckoning long barreling toward it: a ruinous collapse of oil revenues that renders government deficits utterly unsustainable. Among the wealthy Gulf...
Op-eds
Iraq Almost Takes a Stand Against Iran’s Terrorist Proxies — Then Doesn’t
The Iraqi government did the right thing and froze the assets of Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis, but once the story made news on December 4, the government walked its decision back within hours. In...
Policy Briefs
Turkey’s Push for Regime Change in Syria: The Jihadi Highway
Syria’s civil war broke out in March 2011, in reaction to the brutal crackdown by the regime of Bashar al-Asad of popular protests that were part of the wider Arab Spring. In supporting the Syrian...
Op-eds
A major battle in The Long War
The roots of the current Middle East conflict trace back centuries
Op-eds
Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel: June 13–16, 2025
David Daoud is senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, where he focuses on Israel, Hezbollah, and Lebanon affairs. Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for...
Op-eds
As Iran Retreats, Islamist Turkey and Qatar Surge in Lebanon
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, a Sunni, entered the stadium of Beirut’s Sports City to watch the classic football game between the two rival teams Nijmeh and Ansar. When the Shia supporters of...
Op-eds
‘No Impunity’: Israel Strikes Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Damascus
Daylight Sortie Over Syrian Capital: The Israeli Air Force struck a Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) command center in Damascus on March 13. The site, located in the Dummar suburb...
Flash Briefs
10 Things to Know About Turkey’s Interventions and Influence in Syria
Turkey intends to position itself as the most influential foreign actor in Syria. Following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey built close ties with jihadist militias fighting Bashar...
Insights
Disruptions and Challenges in the Middle East
Significant challenges await the Trump administration’s attention.
Op-eds
Good news and bad news from Lebanon as Nawaf Salam elected premier
Israel-bashing president of the International Court of Justice hardly seems the one to bring peace with neighbor
Op-eds
Lebanon’s Mahan Air theater was meant to cover ceasefire deal non-performance
A false narrative has emerged claiming Lebanese authorities searched an Iranian plane last week at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport over suspicion the aircraft was smuggling...
Op-eds
Naim Qassem on Hezbollah’s post-ceasefire posture
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem delivered two speeches—one on November 29 and another on December 5— after the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that took effect on November 27. Most...
Op-eds
IDF Eliminates Hezbollah Official Overseeing Weapons Transfer From Syria to Lebanon
Israel Eliminates Senior Hezbollah Member: An Israeli airstrike in Damascus killed Salman Nemar Jamaa, a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for liaising with the Syrian army, on...