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.

Content

In the News

Jun 14, 2025

Kroenig quoted in the Wall Street Journal on Trump’s potential framing of Israel’s strikes on Iran

On June 13, Matthew Kroenig, Atlantic Council vice president and Scowcroft Center senior director, was quoted in the Wall Street Journal on how President Trump may choose to present Israel’s strikes on Iranian military and nuclear installations, as well as its military leadership, in light of his “peacemaker” pledge.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jun 14, 2025

By fusing intelligence and special operations, Israel’s strikes on Iran are a lesson in strategic surprise

By Doug Livermore

Operation Rising Lion offers critical lessons for Western military planners facing similar challenges against peer competitors.

Intelligence Iran

Inflection Points

Jun 14, 2025

Israel’s Iran strike provides a historic chance for Middle East realignment

By Frederick Kempe

History will remember this moment less for the Israeli strikes themselves and more for what follows.

Iran Israel

Fast Thinking

Jun 13, 2025

Assessing the fallout from Israel’s extraordinary attack on Iran 

By Atlantic Council

As Iran responded with a wave of drones and Israel continued to hit military sites on Friday, we turned to our experts to explore what comes next.

Conflict Crisis Management

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2025

After Israel’s strikes on Iran, these four questions could determine the Middle East’s future

By Jonathan Panikoff

The trajectory of the Middle East could be determined by how just a few critical questions are answered the coming days and weeks.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2025

Unknowns, knowns, and early predictions about Israel’s strikes against Iran

By William F. Wechsler

How long Israel’s campaign against Iran will go on is unknown. But even amid the uncertainty, don’t lose sight of what is already known—or at least what can already be surmised with high confidence.

Iran Israel

New Atlanticist

Jun 12, 2025

Experts react: Israel just attacked Iran’s military and nuclear sites. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

Our experts shed light on Israel’s major attack against Iran targeting its nuclear facilities and its implications for the region.

Conflict Defense Policy

New Atlanticist

Jun 10, 2025

Yes, now is the time to double down on the Abraham Accords

By Allison Minor

The United States and its partners cannot simply wait for the war in Gaza to end or for Saudi Arabia to normalize relations with Israel. They must take steps now.

Economy & Business Israel

Podcast

Jun 9, 2025

“Yes, really”: American private military companies (back) in Gaza

By Alia Brahimi

In Season 2, Episode 11 of the Guns for Hire podcast, host Alia Brahimi is joined by international lawyer and former senior UN human rights official Craig Mokhiber to discuss Israel’s militarization of aid in Gaza and how US private military companies (PMC) and individual contractors could be held legally liable for their association with […]

Conflict Crisis Management

MENASource

Jun 9, 2025

Armenia’s ‘crossroads’ offers the US and Israel a rare opportunity

By Sheila Paylan

Clinching peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan offers the US and Israel a rare chance to tilt the balance of power in the South Caucuses.

Europe & Eurasia Israel

Experts