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.

Polymeropoulos interviewed on MSNBC about Israeli air strikes and aid worker casualties

MENASource Jun 24, 2025

Dispatch from the Gulf: Finding middle ground amid Israel-Iran war

By Allison Minor

Congressional delegation visit coincided with Israel and Iran squaring off in a direct military confrontation.
Iran Israel
Polymeropoulos interviewed on MSNBC about Israeli air strikes and aid worker casualties

MENASource Jun 18, 2025

Dispatch from Jerusalem: Inside Israel’s bunkers as Iran war erupts

By Sarah Zaaimi

The stakes are higher as two opposing rhetorics about the region’s future are at play: Pan-Abrahamism and Revolutionary Islamism.
Civil Society Iran
Polymeropoulos interviewed on MSNBC about Israeli air strikes and aid worker casualties

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

Israel-Hamas war

Experts from across the Atlantic Council are providing insight and analysis at speed and in depth on the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, Israel’s response, and how the emerging conflict is upending the Middle East and the world.

Programs

The N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation, seeks to broaden and deepen normalization between Israel and Arab and Muslim countries. It works with governments to produce actionable recommendations to deliver tangible benefits to their people.

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Content

In the News

Apr 4, 2024

Polymeropoulos interviewed on MSNBC about Israeli air strikes and aid worker casualties

On April 4, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Marc Polymeropoulous was interviewed on MSNBC about the Israeli airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen aid workers and provided insight into what may have gone wrong.

Civil Society Conflict

MENASource

Apr 3, 2024

Jordan was already walking a tightrope. Then the Gaza war happened.

By Aaron Magid

Around six months into the war, many Jordanians have not been satisfied with their government’s response to the Gaza war.

Conflict Israel

In the News

Apr 2, 2024

Panikoff joins Bloomberg to discuss aftermath of Israeli strike on aid workers in Gaza

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Israel

In the News

Apr 1, 2024

Wechsler joins Channel 4 News to discuss the reported transfer of arms from US to Israel

By Atlantic Council

Conflict Israel

In the News

Mar 26, 2024

Wechsler joins BBC World to discuss UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

By Atlantic Council

Israel Middle East

In the News

Mar 22, 2024

Panikoff on Scripps News “Morning Rush”
Israel Middle East

IranSource

Mar 22, 2024

‘Unification of the arenas’ might turn from an opportunity for Iran into a threat

By Raz Zimmt

Hamas’s decision to start a war at a time not determined by Iran created a situation of escalating risks.

Conflict Iran

In the News

Mar 21, 2024

Lipner quoted in Politico: With Schumer’s Israel remarks, the American gloves are off

“It reflects a serious downturn for Israel’s standing in the U.S. when prominent members of the Democratic Party’s proverbial Old Guard feel comfortable to lash out publicly at the elected government in Jerusalem,” said Shalom Lipner, who has served in the office of numerous Israeli prime ministers.

Israel Security & Defense

Blog Post

Mar 15, 2024

State of the Order: Stresses on the world order mounted in February. Here’s where the biggest impacts are coming from.

The State of the Order breaks down the month's most important events impacting the democratic world order.

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

MENASource

Mar 14, 2024

Heaven can’t wait: Are Israel’s Haredi parties about to bring Netanyahu down?

By Shalom Lipner

Bringing this clash to its latest boil is a fast-approaching April 1 deadline for the Knesset to approve new legislation that would regulate the Haredi exclusion from the IDF draft.

Israel Middle East
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Experts

Staff

Jonathan Rosenstein

Assistant Director

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy Israel

Fellow

Jean-Loup Samaan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

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

Arabic Defense Policy

Fellow

Daniel B. Shapiro

Distinguished Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Conflict English

Fellow

Samantha Sutton

Nonresident Senior Fellow, N7 Initiative

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

Events

Online Event Tue, March 24, 2026 • 10:00 am ET

The future of Iran’s axis of resistance
Iran Iraq Israel Lebanon