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

Samet in The Forward: RIP: An Obituary for Israel’s Labor Party

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
Samet in The Forward: RIP: An Obituary for Israel’s Labor Party

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
Samet in The Forward: RIP: An Obituary for Israel’s Labor Party

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

In the News

Jul 22, 2019

Samet in The Forward: RIP: An Obituary for Israel’s Labor Party
Elections Israel

IranSource

Jul 2, 2019

Hezbollah won’t stand down in a US-Iran conflict

By Nicholas Blanford

On January 28, 2015, a colleague and I were driving north in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley to report on the latest developments involving the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS), which was then occupying a desolate mountain range straddling the Lebanon-Syria border. Shortly before midday, we received news that Hezbollah had just launched an ambush against an Israeli military convoy on Lebanon’s southeast border.

Iran Israel

In the News

Jun 28, 2019

LeBaron quoted in AhramOnline on the Manama workshop

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jun 28, 2019

Israel’s problematic role in perpetuating water insecurity for Palestine

By Zena Agha

Climate change poses an existential and global threat to humanity. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is expected to be impacted more than any other area.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jun 25, 2019

Richard LeBaron Quoted in the Globe Post on Trump’s Mideast Peace Plan

By Richard LeBaron

Read More Here

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jun 25, 2019

Richard Lebaron Quoted in the Strait Times on the Bahrain Economic Workshop

By Richard LeBaron

Read More Here

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jun 25, 2019

Hellyer Quoted in the Guardian on Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan

By H.A. Hellyer

Read More Here

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jun 24, 2019

Samet in Haaretz: Israel May Live to Regret Its Warming Ties With China
China Israel

In the News

Jun 24, 2019

Lipner in Arena Journal: Will the honeymoon with Trump end in Bahrain? (in Hebrew)
Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jun 24, 2019

How the Manama Workshop on Palestine will succeed

By Richard LeBaron

The US-sponsored “Peace to Prosperity” workshop will convene in Bahrain on Tuesday June 25 and Wednesday June 26 to “discuss strategies and galvanize support for potential economic investments and initiatives that could be made possible by a peace agreement” between the Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel Middle East
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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 Senior Fellow

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

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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