Israel

Middle East

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

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

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 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

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.

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

Uncategorized

Dec 22, 2022

Lipner quoted in Financial Times: How will Israel’s most rightwing government yet wield its power?

Elections Israel

MENASource

Dec 15, 2022

<strong>Cultural exchange can foster a peaceful coexistence in the Middle East</strong>

By Nureldin Satti

Cultural exchange is based on the will of individuals, groups, and nations to reach out to each other and better learn, or re-learn, to live together.

Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Dec 8, 2022

Fontenrose in Foreign Policy: Don’t Let Politics Kill the Lebanon-Israel Gas Deal

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

Insights & Impact

Dec 8, 2022

Shapiro quoted in All Israel News on Israel and Lebanon

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

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

Greece Iraq

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Issue briefs and reports

Fast Thinking

Dispatches

Inflection Points

UkraineAlert

MENASource

Econographics

Israel

Featured commentary & analysis

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

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

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

Programs

Learn more about the Middle East programs

Content

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

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

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

Shapiro quoted in Reuters on PM Netanyahu’s new government

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

2022: A year in the Middle East

Lipner quoted in Financial Times: How will Israel’s most rightwing government yet wield its power?

<strong>Cultural exchange can foster a peaceful coexistence in the Middle East</strong>

Fontenrose in Foreign Policy: Don’t Let Politics Kill the Lebanon-Israel Gas Deal

Shapiro quoted in All Israel News on Israel and Lebanon

Experts

Ahmed F. Alkhatib

Amir Asmar

Alia Brahimi

Danny Citrinowicz

Ariel Cohen

Jonathan R. Cohen

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