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

Oren: Hamas Media Strategy Relies on Deaths of Civilians

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

Oren: Hamas Media Strategy Relies on Deaths of Civilians

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

Oren: Hamas Media Strategy Relies on Deaths of Civilians

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.

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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 21, 2014

Oren: Hamas Media Strategy Relies on Deaths of Civilians

By Michael Oren

Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren writes for CNN on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas:

Israel Middle East

News

Jul 21, 2014

Oren on Israel-Hamas Conflict

By Michael Oren

The Times of Israel quotes Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas:

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 21, 2014

Oren: A Gaza Solution- Demilitarization

By Michael Oren

Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren writes for the Los Angeles Times on the key to ending the current conflict between Israel and Hamas: 

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jul 18, 2014

Egypt and the Gaza Ceasefires

By Joel Gulhane

On Thursday night, the Israel Defense Forces launched a ground offensive on the Gaza Strip following the Israeli Security Cabinet’s approval. The decision came “after Israel agreed to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal, whereas Hamas rejected the ceasefire proposal and continued firing rockets at Israeli cities,” according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 17, 2014

Herbst on the Israel-Hamas Conflict

By John Herbst

Eurasia Center Director John Herbst joins Bloomberg’s Taking Stock to discuss Israel’s ground operation into Gaza: 

Israel Middle East

MENASource

Jul 17, 2014

Egypt’s Half-Hearted Gaza Initiative

By Khaled Dawoud

The most significant development in Egypt’s reaction to the latest round of fighting between Israel and Hamas, that left a heavy death toll among Palestinian civilians and forced millions of Israelis to hide in bunkers for a week so far, was how slow and neutral Cairo’s role appears to be.

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 15, 2014

Oren on Clinton’s Middle East Legacy

By Michael Oren

Politico quotes Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren on whether the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is a stain on former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s legacy: 

Israel Middle East

In the News

Jul 14, 2014

Oren: A Smart Way Out of the Gaza Confrontation

By Michael Oren

Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren writes for CNN on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas: 

Israel Middle East

Article

Jul 2, 2014

Column: Israel Shouldn’t Turn Tragedy into Fiasco

By Barbara Slavin

The murder of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank has sent shock waves through Israeli and Palestinian society and raised fears that the relatively quiescent Arab-Israeli front will explode into a new war. A stormy Israeli cabinet session considered a variety of retaliatory options for the killings of Naftali Fraenkel, Gilad Shaar and Eyal […]

Israel

News

Jun 12, 2014

Oren on Bergdahl Release

By Michael Oren

The National Journal quotes Atlantic Council Ambassador-in-Residence Michael Oren on what the United States can learn from the Israeli experience in examining the release of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl and thinking about possible future prisoner exchanges: 

Israel
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Experts

Fellow

Daniel B. Shapiro

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

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

Conflict English

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Project for Middle East Integration

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Conflict Israel

Staff

William F. Wechsler

Senior Director, Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

National Security Middle East

Fellow

Rachel Whitlark

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense

Defense Policy Israel