Palestinian National Authority
Gaza’s Nascent Police Force Has a Personnel Problem
The second convening of President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace in Washington on February 19 was intended to highlight progress toward a post-war vision for Gaza. The event featured detailed presentations...
Policy Briefs
Beyond disarming Hamas, Trump’s Board of Peace must deradicalize Gaza as well
President Donald Trump convened his Board of Peace on Thursday, announcing new commitments to fund Gaza’s reconstruction and provide troops for a Gaza stabilization force. But so far, everyone’s...
Op-eds
Turkey, The Kurds, And The U.S.: The SDF Partnership Hits a Strategic Wall
Masoud Barzani’s February 6 meeting with SDF commander Mazloum Abdi spotlights a decade of U.S. partnering that helped defeat ISIS in eastern Syria, but never produced a political endgame. After holding territory east of the Euphrates, the SDF suffered setbacks in mid-January clashes and then reached a January 30 understanding that allows Damascus to expand security control in remaining SDF areas. Some fighters could be absorbed into Syria’s army, while U.S. forces weigh next steps for ISIS detainee operations and their remaining footprint.
Op-eds
Rafah Crossing Reopening Could Enable Hamas To Resume Smuggling Operations Into Gaza
The reopening of the Rafah border crossing linking the Gaza Strip with Egypt will ease travel restrictions on Palestinians seeking medical treatment abroad. At the same time, it has deepened Israeli concerns...
Policy Briefs
Kicking and Screaming Against America and Israel
REVIEW: ‘Kicking the Hornet’s Nest: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East from Truman to Trump’ by Daniel E. Zoughbie
Op-eds
As Gaza ceasefire plan progresses, IDF reports Palestinian terrorists violate first phase 11 times from January 9 to 22
On January 16, US President Donald Trump officially established an international Board of Peace, which the White House states aims to support Gaza as it “transitions from conflict to peace...
Op-eds
US-backed Gaza plan moves to second phase as NCAG and Board of Peace unveiled
The US-backed ceasefire plan in Gaza entered a new phase on January 14. On January 16, the White House announced the establishment of a National Committee for the Administration of...
Op-eds
Phase Two of the Gaza Ceasefire Announced Despite Core Obstacles Still To Overcome
As the Trump administration presses ahead with the second phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, key challenges remain unresolved. U.S Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff announced the start of the second phase...
Policy Briefs
Egyptians Tell U.S. Hamas Will Disarm Only if Palestinian State Created
Hamas Will Disarm Only if Palestinian State Created: Egyptian officials have warned the United States that Hamas still retains significant military capabilities in Gaza, including...
Flash Briefs
Israel Set To Open Rafah Crossing To Allow Palestinians To Exit Gaza
Latest Developments Key Crossing Set To Open: Israel’s unit for the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced on December 3 that the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s southernmost...
Flash Briefs
How the Trump Administration Secured the Gaza Ceasefire Deal That Biden Couldn’t
50 Nations Just Joined a U.S. Coordination Center to Save Gaza U.S. Central Command stated on Nov. 28 that its “Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) has grown to include representatives...
Op-eds
How the Trump Administration Secured the Gaza Ceasefire Deal That Biden Couldn’t
50 Nations Just Joined a U.S. Coordination Center to Save Gaza U.S. Central Command stated on Nov. 28 that its “Civil-Military Coordination Center (CMCC) has grown to include representatives...
Op-eds
West Bank: Israeli security forces kill Palestinian police officer who shot Israeli soldier
The Shin Bet intelligence agency, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and the Israel Police announced on November 21 that security forces killed a Palestinian police officer who had shot and wounded...
Op-eds
Trump’s Gaza peace plan is doomed — unless he shuts down terror-boosting UNRWA
When the UN Security Council approved President Donald Trump’s plan to establish a board of peace overseeing Gaza’s transformation from Hamas terror base to calm Palestinian enclave, it was...
Op-eds
Islamic State–linked activity on the rise in Israel and the West Bank
On November 14, the Shin Bet intelligence agency and the Israel Police arrested four residents of East Jerusalem’s Beit Safafa neighborhood on charges of having ties to the Islamic State and...
Op-eds
US pushes for UN resolution on Gaza to support peace plan
The US is seeking a United Nations Security Council resolution on Gaza “aimed at bolstering President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, including by greenlighting an international security force,”...
Op-eds
Hamas Official Floats Discussions for Decommissioning Group’s Long-Range Weapons
Hamas Official Says Partial Disarmament ‘Reasonable To Discuss’: Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk claimed on November 5 that the group may be willing to negotiate partial disarmament....
Flash Briefs
Aoun’s Push for Talks with Israel Must Overcome Hezbollah’s Ploys
Hezbollah and Berri likely hope to use talks to get the US and Israel off their backs and keep Hezbollah armed.
Op-eds
U.S. Reportedly Drafts UN Security Council Resolution for Establishment of International Stabilization Force in Gaza
Resolution Outlined: The United States has reportedly sent UN Security Council member states a preliminary draft of a resolution establishing an International Stabilization Force...