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

<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-06-15T115242Z_1869922155_RC2AULAI0HR3_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-ISRAEL-LEBANON-500x350.jpg" alt="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2025-12-29T205543Z_201506486_RC2KQIAKYG6G_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS-TRUMP-NETANYAHU-500x350.jpg" alt="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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
<img decoding="async" src="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-05-03T100737Z_1896540112_RC2NRKA31K6N_RTRMADP_3_IRAN-CRISIS-LEBANON-HEZBOLLAH-500x350.jpg" alt="People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.” class=”gta-horizontal-featured–img” />

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

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Middle East Programs

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Content

MENASource

Jan 26, 2023

<strong>People-to-people exchanges matter. They’re integral to nurturing the Abraham Accords.</strong>

By Richard LeBaron

This piece identifies some of the issues involved in creating a strong framework for a vital “Abraham Exchanges” program and proposes a few ideas on how to get it off the ground.

Israel Middle East

UkraineAlert

Jan 24, 2023

Putin is facing defeat in the information war

By Peter Dickinson

Russia's entire invasion of Ukraine has been built on a web of deceit but Putin is now facing defeat in the information war as the gap between the Kremlin's alternative reality and the real world becomes too big to bridge.

Conflict Disinformation

IranSource

Jan 19, 2023

<strong>Netanyahu’s Iran policy is expected to fail—again</strong>

By Danny Citrinowicz  

The biggest problem that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has today is the fact that he will have a tough time rallying the Joe Biden administration.

Iran Israel

In the News

Jan 13, 2023

Shapiro quoted in Jerusalem Post on Israeli-U.S. Relations

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jan 4, 2023

Svetlova in the Jerusalem Strategic Tribune: Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich: Israel’s Power Couple

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Israel

In the News

Jan 4, 2023

Svetlova quoted by NPR on Ben-Gvir’s visit to Jerusalem

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Israel

In the News

Jan 3, 2023

Lipner interviewed by Formiche on PM Netanyahu’s promise to expand Abraham Accords

By Atlantic Council

Israel Italian

In the News

Dec 30, 2022

Shapiro quoted in Reuters on PM Netanyahu’s new government

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Dec 30, 2022

Shapiro quoted in New York Times on Israeli-U.S. Relations

By Atlantic Council

International Norms Israel

MENASource

Dec 23, 2022

2022: A year in the Middle East

By Nour Alhajjeh and Madeline Hart 

2022 was a year full of unprecedented protests, groundbreaking state visits, historical elections, and new challenges for the Middle East and North Africa.

Iran Iraq
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Experts

Fellow

Ahmed F. Alkhatib

Resident Senior Fellow, Realign for Palestine

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Realign For Palestine

Arabic Conflict

Fellow

Amir Asmar

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Intelligence Israel

Fellow

Alia Brahimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Civil Society

Fellow

Danny Citrinowicz  

Nonresident Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Arabic Cybersecurity

Fellow

Ariel Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Central Asia Politics & Diplomacy

Fellow

Jonathan R. Cohen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Greece Iraq
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