Israel

‘The ball is now in Hamas’s court’ for a ceasefire in Gaza, says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken

By Katherine Golden

The US secretary of state spoke at the Atlantic Council on January 14, just as reports from the Middle East indicated an agreement on a ceasefire in Gaza and hostage release could come soon.

The Biden administration’s vision for postwar Gaza

By Antony J. Blinken

At an Atlantic Council Front Page event, Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered remarks on the Biden administration’s Middle East policy and the prospects for peace in the region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Biden record in the Middle East—and what comes next

At an Atlantic Council event, the US secretary of state delivered remarks on the Middle East and the future of US leadership.

The Netzarim Corridor: Tragedy, death, and an obstacle to a lasting ceasefire

By Ahmed F. Alkhatib

The incoming Trump administration will have to wrestle with tactical-level details—especially what happens with the Netzarim Corridor and civilians’ return to the north—if it wants to play a role in mediating a ceasefire and ending the war.

The Middle East’s shifting balance of power favors Turkey and Israel

By Frederick Kempe

Syria’s future is uncertain after the fall of the Assad regime, but already it’s clear that two neighboring countries are big winners.

2024: A year in the Middle East

By Leila Ouhri, Kate Springs, and Yaseen Rashed

2024 was a year of consequence for the Middle East and North Africa, with metastasizing conflict, human tragedies, and major elections across the region.

To advance Saudi-Israeli relations, let the private sector lead

By Mark Donig and Tally Zingher

With the right policies in place, the US private sector can play a critical role in advancing US-Saudi-Israeli economic relations, creating a reality that will make normalization more achievable in the coming years.

The benefits of Indonesia in the Abraham Accords

By Daniel J. Samet

Given Israel’s current predicaments, it’s easy to overlook its opportunities. Not least, normalization with Indonesia will redound to the advantage of all parties involved. 

Can China’s new ambassador to Israel reset the strained relationship?

By Tuvia Gering and Ofir Dayan

Ambassador Xiao Junzheng faces the task of restoring trust between China and Israel after more than a year of bilateral tensions.

What lies ahead for the Israel-Hamas war—and what the United States should do about it 

By Doug Livermore

As the Israel-Hamas conflict continues to evolve, the incoming Donald Trump administration will need to adopt a nuanced and forward-looking approach that builds upon prior efforts to avoid further destabilization.