Israel

Israel

As a strong ally in the Middle East, Israel’s domestic politics and geopolitical role are of primary concern for the United States. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has confounded one administration after the other, with various attempts at brokering a peace process falling short of success. As Israel inches closer to the east with increased economic cooperation with India and China, as well as semi-discreet displays of engagement with Gulf neighbors, Israel’s independent foreign policy and controversial domestic policies continue to shape its relationship with the United States.

Featured commentary & analysis

The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

Dispatches Jun 17, 2026

What the US-Iran deal means for the rest of the Middle East (and beyond)

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts look at the ways the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran will affect other countries.
Conflict Economy & Business
The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

Dispatches Jun 10, 2026

From a gap to a chasm: Diverging US and Israeli interests in the war with Iran

By Daniel B. Shapiro

The once-modest gap between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump has widened in recent weeks.
Conflict Iran
The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

MENASource May 5, 2026

Dispatch from Beirut: Israel-Hezbollah talks risk falling into a failed, decades-long pattern

By Nicholas Blanford

As the war with Israel revives Hezbollah and divides Lebanon, the ongoing negotiations echo failed 1983 talks.
Conflict Israel

Programs

The Project for Middle East Integration is dedicated to advancing US interests by strengthening relations and trade among key partners and allies in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Learn more

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Middle East Programs

Working with our allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

EXPLORE THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S MIDDLE EAST PROGRAMS

Content

Inflection Points

Jul 15, 2026

The defining issues Lindsey Graham leaves behind

By Frederick Kempe

The late senator spent his final days pushing hard for Ukrainian sovereignty and Saudi-Israeli diplomatic normalization.

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jul 13, 2026

Israel’s next government must prioritize the Abraham Accords

By Amit Yarom and Itai Melchior

The fall election could open a narrow window for Israel to reset its regional strategy and create momentum to expand normalization.

Israel Politics & Diplomacy

Dispatches

Jul 10, 2026

Israel and the new reality of buffer zones

By Miroslav M. Zafirov

If left unchecked, the buffer-zone approach might become less a temporary security measure and more the operating logic of a new regional order.

Conflict Iran

MENASource

Jul 6, 2026

New Middle East corridors are about more than just bypassing the Strait of Hormuz

By Allison Minor

A recent Atlantic Council gathering reveals how initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) must evolve.

Economy & Business Infrastructure

In the News

Jun 20, 2026

Charai for The National Interest: JD Vance Is Wrong: Israel Is Not Just Another Ally

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jun 18, 2026

Charai for The Jerusalem Post: Israel must defend itself without losing America

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

Dispatches

Jun 17, 2026

What the US-Iran deal means for the rest of the Middle East (and beyond)

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts look at the ways the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran will affect other countries.

Conflict Economy & Business

Dispatches

Jun 14, 2026

Experts react: The US and Iran just announced an interim peace deal. Here’s what we know so far.

By Atlantic Council experts

As details emerge, our experts are sharing their insights on what we know—and still don’t know—about the deal, and what to expect next.

Conflict Iran

Dispatches

Jun 12, 2026

It’s not a ‘deal.’ But Trump’s memorandum with Iran can be the start of something bigger.

By Jonathan Panikoff

What appears to be emerging now is a rough outline and high-level explanation of the concepts that an eventual deal could include.

Conflict Iran

Fast Thinking

Jun 11, 2026

Is this the end of the Iran war? 

By Atlantic Council

Our experts break down the latest strikes and Trump's announcement of a pending deal to end the conflict.

Conflict Iran
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Experts

Fellow

Carmiel Mahony

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Civil Society Extremism

Fellow

Itai Melchior

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Artificial Intelligence Economy & Business

Fellow

Daniel E. Mouton

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Defense Industry Defense Policy

Staff

Jonathan Panikoff

Senior Director, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Economy & Business Financial Regulation

Fellow

Alex Plitsas

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Crisis Management

Staff

Melanie Robbins 

Deputy Director, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Civil Society Extremism
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